DALLAS, Texas – On Friday, October 10, 2014 at the THRU Building at Presbyterian-Dallas Hospital, Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation, will be headlining NAMI Dallas’ North Texas Conference on Families, Culture and Mental Illness.  The purpose of the conference, which is aimed at professionals and interested community leaders, is to further understanding of how to reach other cultures so they may access mental health care and support.

“We are extremely excited about having Dr. Martinez here to keynote our conference,” mentioned NAMI Dallas President Sherry Cusumano.  “He is one of the most respected mental health professionals in the state of Texas, and a man who has a wealth of knowledge about the many cultures of our state and how to meet their needs.”

Other topics include: Multiple Heritage Population; GLBTQ Clients; Veterans; Asian Clients; and Chemical Dependency Treatment and the Mentally Ill Patient. The fee for professionals is $65 and for nonprofessionals it is $35, which includes breakfast and lunch.