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Celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Month

Mar 11, 2024

North Dakota Brain Injury Network Every March, the North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN) recognizes Brain Injury Awareness Month as a time to acknowledge and support the millions of Americans affected by brain injury. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, every year, at least 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury. While many people go on to make a full recovery, there are more than 5 million people in the U.S. living with a permanent brain injury-related disability – that's one in 60 Americans.

Hosting the annual Mind Matters Conference allows education, resources, and training to be shared with survivors of a brain injury, family and caregivers, and practitioners who work with survivors and caregivers.

Mind Matters Conference

Mind Matters will be held on March 21-22 in Fargo, North Dakota. This two-day conference, facilitated by NDBIN, highlights new research, trends, practice strategies, and collaborative models of care. Speakers will present innovative approaches and new systems of care for individuals living with brain injury. The conference brings together a multidisciplinary audience of survivors, family members, caregivers, and providers to discuss diverse topics and support for individuals after obtaining a brain injury.

How to Attend

The conference will be held at the Ramada by Wyndham in Fargo. Virtual and in-person attendance options are available, but in-person attendance is recommended for the best learning experience. Participants can choose to register for the full conference or only attend one day.

Continuing education units will be offered in addiction counseling, audiology and speech language pathology, counselor, nursing, occupational therapy/occupational therapy assistant, psychology, social work, and a general certificate.

Keynote Speakers

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the American Stroke Association, is sponsoring two keynote speakers at the 2024 Mind Matters Conference.

  • Krissy Weissling, SLP-D, CCC-SLP
    Post Stroke Aphasia: Communication Supports to Promote Optimal Outcomes
    March 21
  • Brier Jirka, LMHP, CPC, CST
    Sexuality and Disability: What to Do When Life Changes
    March 22
Carly Endres

“We can't wait to learn about post stroke aphasia with Kristy Weissling and sexuality and disability with Brier Jirka,” said Carly Endres, senior project coordinator with NDBIN. “Both of these topics impact stroke survivors, as well as traumatic brain injury survivors, and will be informative for providers to these populations. NDBIN is proud that the Mind Matters Conference can offer a range of topics that satisfy all types of brain injury perspectives' needs.”