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2002 Conference Menu

Program

Keynote Address

Workshop I

Workshop II

Cape Verdean Youth Program

Afternoon Opening Comment

Workshop III

Workshop IV

Special Thanks

Participant Evaluation

Directory of Professionals

MAPS Conferences

Afternoon Opening Comment

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
Traditional and Alternative Healing Practices in Contemporary Portuguese-speaking Communities

Marylou Sudders
Massachusetts Commissioner of Mental Health

Governor William F. Weld appointed Marylou Sudders Commissioner of Mental Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in February 1996.

In this capacity, she serves as the Commonwealth’s chief spokesperson on mental health issues. With an annual budget in excess of $600 million, the Commissioner oversees a public mental health system that provides services to more than 24,500 adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance. Key legislative successes during her tenure include passage of: mental health parity insurance; five fundamental rights for mental health consumers; civil commitment reform; and, the hospital interpreter law. In May 1999, Commissioner Sudders was honored as one of the selected invitees to the first White House Conference on Mental Health.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Sudders served as both Deputy Director and Director of the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services for the State of New Hampshire for three years. She directed the Division’s services for individuals with developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, traumatic brain injury and the homeless.

Before working in New Hampshire, Ms. Sudders held key positions within the Massachusetts public mental health system. She served as the last Superintendent of metropolitan State Hospital in Waltham and managed the closure of the 400-bed facility.

In addition, she served as Central Massachusetts Area Director with responsibility for both Worcester State Hospital and the community-based mental health system.

During a respite from public service, Ms. Sudders managed a federal homeless grant for the Massachusetts Association for mental Health and served as administrator of Tri-City Mental Health Services in Malden.

Commissioner Sudders holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s Degree with honors from Boston University. She is featured speaker at numerous academic and professional conferences.