From Stigma To Strength – Elevating Voices and Participation
Join NAMI Blair County PA, for the Stigma to Strength Conference on April 30, 2026, at the Blair County Convention Center (1 Convention Center Dr., Altoona, PA 16602). This impactful, one-day conference brings together individuals with lived experience, mental health professionals, advocates, families, and community leaders for education, inspiration, and connection.
The day will feature powerful keynote and breakout presentations focused on transforming stigma into strength, suicide prevention, recovery-oriented care, and empowerment. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized speakers, participate in a wellness vendor fair, celebrate NAMI recognition awards, and leave with practical tools, renewed hope, and a stronger sense of community.
Speaker #1: Mike Veny
Mike Veny is a leading motivational speaker for mental health and a proud member of the National Speakers Association. Mike
once faced mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, but was able to turn those challenges into strengths, and now he
specializes in helping others do the same. Mike isn’t just a speaker—he is a lived experience leader who creates unforgettable emotional
wellness experiences with drumming movement and truth!
Speaker #2 Brandi Lucas
Bandi Lucas is a Penn State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology and over 20 years of experience in behavioral health. She supports individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions and serves as a Jason Foundation Representative, delivering suicide prevention education to youth and young adults. The Jason Foundation provides free resources to help communities recognize and support those at risk.
Learn more at www.jasonfoundation.com.
Brandi is married to her best friend, Ryan, and is a proud mom of two daughters. She values family, close friendships, and is a devoted dog mom.
Keynote Speaker: Patty Hassan
Patty Hassan has 26 years of experience in behavioral health across inpatient, outpatient, community, and residential settings. She specializes in Motivational Interviewing, Dual Diagnosis treatment, Trauma‑Informed Care, Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy, and Assertive Community Treatment. She currently serves as a Community Medical Liaison, supporting individuals with schizophrenia and serious mental illness, along with their caregivers and treatment teams. She focuses on empowering people to take an active role in their recovery—building confidence, self‑advocacy, and strong partnerships with providers. She discusses understanding recovery as a personal journey, exploring beliefs about medication, staying engaged in treatment, and using supportive resources like therapy, peer support, routines, and community connections. Patty emphasizes that diagnosis does not define identity and encourages aligning treatment choices with a meaningful, self‑directed life.