The Human Factor | Real-Time Mental Health Response and the Business Impact

Schedule your first therapy or psychiatry appointment online now!

This event meets online & in person.

Tuesday, 05/19/2026 from 8:30 am – 11:00 am

Cost

FREE

The Human Factor | EAP Conference

Pine Rest EAP, The Employers’ Association, and be nice. invite you to an immersive experience that places you inside real life
workplace mental health scenarios where the wrong response can escalate legal, cultural, and operational risk and the right one
can protect your people and the organization. This conference is designed for HR professionals, executives, managers, and leaders who carry the responsibility of responding when crisis walks through the door.

Through an expert panel and interactive, scenario-based exercises, participants practice responding to real workplace situations through both a clinical mental health lens and a business risk perspective. You’ll learn what to say, what not to say, when to escalate, and how to protect and support your people, teams, and the organization.

Attend in-person or virtually. In-person attendance is highly recommended due to the interactive format.

Conference is eligible for SHRM credits.

Registration closes on 5/15.

Presenters

Jean Holthaus, LMSW, LISW
Jean has provided outpatient therapy services since 1995 when she earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. She has worked for Pine Rest since 1997. She currently serves as manager of the Telehealth Clinic, director of the Employee Assistance Program and is also a Pine Rest outpatient regional director. Jean is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, and narrative therapy.
Nick Kacher, Esq., SPHR
Nick graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in English and Education. He then obtained his law degree from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law where he was a pro bono award recipient. Prior to joining TEA, Nick served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for a global association of law firms. He oversaw membership development and growth, sales, staff management, member relations and retention, budgeting and financial oversight, event planning and execution, brand marketing, and the building of alliances and partnerships.
Christy Buck
With more than 38 years of experience in the mental health field, Christy’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education led her to develop two mental health and suicide prevention programs – be nice. and be nice. extension. Christy has been awarded wonderful honors for her work including the American Red Cross Hometown Hero Award, 50 Most Influential Women In West Michigan, Daughters of the American Revolution Women In History Award, and most recently, was honored with the West Michigan Woman Legacy of Brilliance Award.