42nd Annual Health and Human Service Conference Held at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The 42nd annual St. Louis County Health and Human Service Conference is taking place at the DECC.

Around 3,000 people gather each year to gain a better understanding of how to improve public health. The theme of this year’s conference is “Choosing Hope.”

The two-day-long event includes various workshops, and also provides an opportunity for health workers to take a break from a stressful environment.

“It’s also a beautiful way to just kind of have a break from the work. Secondary trauma is real, and so it’s a way we want to support and nourish people to recharge and be able to go back out and do this really difficult work,” said Kyle Leia Heyesen, Planning, Resource and Organization Development Unit Supervisor. “We also see so many beautiful stories of people overcoming their adversities, and that’s why we are here doing this work.”

Along with workshops, people can connect with others within the health and human service field.

The conference runs through Thursday, Oct. 10.