Three Rivers College and the Community Resource Council, Mental Health Coalition combined to host the 2026 Mental Health Conference and had a record of 142 people attend. The conference included 20 partner booths, three separate guest speakers, and a panel discussion.
Hosted by the Mental Health Coalition and the Community Resource Council, the conference marked a stark turnaround from declining attendance and engagement in prior years.
Conference co-chairs Corey Reynolds, Three Rivers Behavioral Health Support Program Coordinator, and Kate Brinkley, FCC Behavioral Health Suicide Prevention Specialist, were tasked with turning things around.
“Several years ago, the coalition set a goal of reaching 140 conference participants. Despite our efforts over the years, we had not quite reached that benchmark,” Reynolds said. “I am especially excited to share that this year’s conference welcomed a record 142 registered participants, with a waiting list, and even with 23 registered no-shows, we still surpassed that long-standing goal for the first time.”
Reynolds added that he received significant help to make this possible.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this conference possible. So many people stepped up throughout the planning process from TRC by sharing ideas, offering resources, solving problems, and helping whenever needed. Your support made a real difference, and I am truly grateful,” Reynolds said. “This achievement reflects the hard work, collaboration, and commitment of many people and organizations throughout our region. It is encouraging to see the coalition growing again and continuing to bring people together around the important work of supporting mental health in our communities.”
A particular example he gave of the Three Rivers community coming together to volunteer help for the Mental Health Conference was the stage design in the Tinnin Fine Arts Theater. Decorating the stage were multiple flower arrangements grown and donated by the Coordinator of Agriculture and Forestry, Kathryn Clark.
“What started as an idea from Andrea Pierce quickly became a beautiful display thanks to Heather Cornman, Leann Clark, Kathryn Clark, and the Ag students, who generously shared plants they had grown. It was a great example of people coming together to create something amazing, representing the core values of Three Rivers College well,” Reynolds said. “I am also thankful for the support of Three Rivers College, the primary collaborative community partner for the conference. From providing the venue to helping with setup, providing breakfast for participants, technology, and attendee engagement, many departments across campus played an important role in making the day run smoothly.”
Central Methodist University Coordinator Karen Lovette and her colleagues additionally provided valuable information and resources for attendees, strengthening the long partnership between CMU and TRC.
The conference included guest speakers Scott Moyers, Dawn Hill, and Rachel Ward.
“Being able to hear speakers talk about how their own personal struggles have affected their life and how they are utilizing that to help others and make a difference in the lives of others,” one person commented.
Added another, “I love listening to the personal speakers. A person’s life story can give so much to someone who is struggling.”
Among the 54 people who submitted the survey, 44 said they worked in either the mental health, social work, or education fields. And 38 attendees requested a contact hours certificate.
“A special thank-you to Kris Legarsky from the Missouri Department of Social Services, Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives, for attending the conference in person and traveling from Jefferson City, Missouri, to show her support,” Reynolds said. “Her presence means a great deal to all of us at the Community Resource Council, the Mental Health Coalition, and Three Rivers College. It is truly humbling to have a state-level advocate helping raise awareness and support for our annual conference and the important work being done throughout the Southeast Missouri region, including efforts supported by Three Rivers College, which is often overlooked compared to programming in larger, more urban areas.
“All of this reflects how the Community Resource Council, the Mental Health Coalition, Three Rivers College, and our community partners across the Southeast region and beyond truly live up to the values of the ‘Show Me State’.”
