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2024 Kevin's Song Suicide Conference, January 24, 25, 26, 27, 2024

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2024 Kevin's Song Suicide Conference, January 24, 25, 26, 27
2024 Kevin's Song Suicide Conference, January 24, 25, 26, 27
Michigan Public Health Institute CONFERENCE
Wed, January 24, 2024 @ 08:00 AM — Sat, January 27, 2024 @ 01:00 PM (EST)
Event Banner
THIS EVENT IS 100% FREE!

The 8th Annual Kevin's Song Conference on Suicide: Continuing the Conversation, will be held from January 25-27, 2024, and features a three-day summit to explore new and innovative approaches to suicide prevention. Presenters will share best practices in suicide awareness and prevention, and creative, innovative programs that are bringing mental health and suicide awareness to communities throughout Michigan.  


New for 2024 will be a Pre-Conference Training Day on Wed., Jan. 24, featuring educational sessions for clinicians, including safeTALK, QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer), and AMSR (Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk). The pre-conference training day is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services


The Thursday program, Youth Mental Health & School Summit has a focus on youth suicide prevention and will appeal to educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers. Presentations will provide insight into the challenges facing young people today, post-pandemic, and how we can protect and engage them. Breakout sessions will feature youth-orientated programs from around the state of Michigan that are being used to promote mental health wellness and suicide prevention. 


The Friday program, Continuing the Conversation About Suicide Prevention will feature discussions about firearm safety and will educate mental health professionals, students in behavioral health, medical students, and residents on suicide risk factors, prevention strategies and treatment alternatives - providing basic but crucial information about identifying and working with people at risk for suicide in the hospital, a crisis center or clinical setting. The Conference will also include an array of powerful presentations that will challenge the conventions of suicide prevention and treatment and encourage attendees to rethink how suicide and the risk of self-harm can be better assessed, prevented, and treated. 


Saturday's program, Surviving Suicide - A Journey of Healing and Hope, will focus on healing after a suicide loss and the grief that accompanies a suicide loss. Support sessions will also be offered at the end of the day.


CONFERENCE DAYS AND TIMES

Thursday, January 25, 2024, Youth Mental Health & School Summit: 8:00 am - 5:45 pm

Friday, January 26, 2024, continuing the Conversation About Suicide Prevention: 8:00 am - 5:45 pm

Saturday, January 27, 2024, A Journey of Healing and Hope: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm


EARLY BIRD RATES THROUGH December 31, 2023!

Three-Day Ticket (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) $300 Early Bird, $400 beginning January 1st

Two-Day Ticket (Thursday and Friday) $275 Early Bird, $375 beginning January 1st

Single Day Pricing $150 Early Bird, $200 beginning January 16th

Reduced prices for students with a valid student ID.


CONTINUING EDUCATION

Continuing Education for this conference is available as shown below.


Nurses: A total of 11.00 Nursing contact hours have been awarded for this activity by the Michigan Public Health Institute – Continuing Education Solutions (MPHI CES 101073403). 


Michigan Public Health Institute-Continuing Education Solutions (MPHI-CES) is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Louisiana State Nurses Association - Approver, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.


Social Work: A total of 16.50 Social Work clock hours have been awarded for this activity by the Michigan Public Health Institute – Continuing Education Solutions (MPHI-CES 20243403sw).

  

This course is approved by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative – Approval #MICEC-0042


Alcohol/Drug Counselor (MCBAP): A total of 16.50 contact hours have been awarded for this activity by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP). Sessions have been identified as SPECIFIC or RELATED to Substance Abuse. (MPHI-CES 20243403mcb).


NBCC credits for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) 10.00 Hours:

8th Annual Kevin’s Song Conference on Suicide: Continuing the Conversation has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Sessions approved for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-4443.


Michigan Teachers & School Counselors (SCECH): A maximum of 13.50 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) has been awarded by our sponsor, Macomb Intermediate School District. 



T.A.S.K.S.

In addition to continuing education opportunities, we will again be offering our Training and Awareness on Suicide from Kevin's Song (T.A.S.K.S.) certification. This recognition is something extra provided to qualifying attendees after attending our comprehensive program of educational sessions that focus on suicide.


To qualify for T.A.S.K.S. recognition:

  • You must be a licensed healthcare professional.
  • You will be required to attend every PLENARY SESSION during the 2-Day Conference
  • You must attend at least 2 breakout sessions each day of the 2-Day Conference.
  • You must complete and submit the post-event evaluation form sent to you after the conference.
  • You must request a T.A.S.K. certificate in the area provided on the evaluation.


SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

A limited number of scholarships are available to individuals with financial hardship.

Conference scholarships will cover conference registration fees only.

Deadline to request scholarship: Friday, January 19, 2024

To request a scholarship form, contact Susan Francis at sumfrancis1@gmail.com.


AGENDA & PRESENTERS

The agenda for each day, including session descriptions, can be viewed by selecting the agenda tab on the left.

Information on presenters can be viewed by selecting the speakers tab on the left.

Check back for updated information.


HOTEL RESERVATIONS

We are excited to be back at the Saint John's Resort, 44045 Five Mile Road, Plymouth, MI 48170.

Hotel Reservations can now be made at St. John's Resort

Room rates are $169 plus tax

This rate is good until the room block fills.

Rooms will still be available after that but at the hotel's regular rates.

Reserve your room by calling 734-414-0600 and referencing Kevin's Song Foundation


HOW TO REGISTER

Use the Registration button on the left or below to select your registration options.

All attendees must be registered individually using their email address.

Contact our registration partner Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) with any questions at eandtreg@mphi.org.


MPHI | 2436 Woodlake Circle | Okemos, MI 48837 | https://events.mphi.org


Registration: Closed
Event Dates
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27
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January 21, 2024 @ 11:55 pm
Location
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Saint John's Resort
44045 Five Mile Road
Plymouth, MI  USA
Selection Options
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Optional Wednesday Trainings; January 24, 2024
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) Training
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) Training
22/50 LEFT $ 30.00 
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024 @  08:30:AM  —  04:30:PM EST

This is a full-day training and includes breakfast and a light lunch.


AMSR’s research-informed risk formulation model helps health and behavioral health professionals feel confident navigating challenging conversations and offers key strategies for providing compassionate care to people at risk for suicide. Authorized expert trainers lead the one-day AMSR training, teaching professionals essential skills through videos, live demonstrations, and paired and written practice.

 
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
62/70 LEFT $ 10.00 
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024 @  09:00:AM  —  10:30:AM EST

This is a 90-minute training.


Like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught Gatekeeper training in the world.

 
safeTALK Training
safeTALK Training
43/60 LEFT $ 20.00 
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024 @  01:00:PM  —  05:00:PM EST

This is a 4-hour training.


LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour training that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. You will learn how to reach out to someone thinking about suicide and help them keep safe by using a simple and effective model and promptly connecting them to further support.

 
 
Attendance Options
3-Day Ticket (Thursday, Friday & Saturday): January 25, 26, 27, 2024
3-Day Ticket (Thursday, Friday & Saturday): January 25, 26, 27, 2024
$ 400.00 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and beverages. Includes Thursday Evening Reception.

 
3-Day STUDENT Ticket (Thursday, Friday & Saturday): January 25, 26, 27, 202 …
3-Day STUDENT Ticket (Thursday, Friday & Saturday): January 25, 26, 27, 202 …
$ 75.00 
 
2-Day Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
2-Day Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
$ 375.00 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and beverages. Includes Thursday Evening Reception.

 
2-Day PRESENTER Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
2-Day PRESENTER Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and beverages. Includes Thursday Evening Reception.

 
2-Day STUDENT Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
2-Day STUDENT Ticket (Thursday & Friday): January 25, 26, 2024
$ 50.00 

A current student ID card is required at check-in for this option.


Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and beverages. Includes Thursday Evening Reception.

 
1-Day Thursday Only Ticket: January 25, 2024
1-Day Thursday Only Ticket: January 25, 2024
$ 200.00 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, and Thursday Evening Reception.

 
1-Day Thursday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 25, 2024
1-Day Thursday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 25, 2024
 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, and Thursday Evening Reception.

 
1-Day Thursday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 25, 2024
1-Day Thursday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 25, 2024
$ 50.00 

A current student ID card is required at check-in for this option.


Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, and Thursday Evening Reception.

 
1-Day Friday Only Ticket: January 26, 2024
1-Day Friday Only Ticket: January 26, 2024
$ 200.00 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
1-Day Friday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 26, 2024
1-Day Friday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 26, 2024
 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
1-Day Friday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 26, 2024
1-Day Friday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 26, 2024
 

A current student ID card is required at check-in for this option.


Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
1-Day Saturday Only Ticket: January 27, 2024
1-Day Saturday Only Ticket: January 27, 2024
$ 40.00 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
1-Day Saturday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 27, 2024
1-Day Saturday Only PRESENTER Ticket: January 27, 2024
 

Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
1-Day Saturday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 27, 2024
1-Day Saturday Only STUDENT Ticket: January 27, 2024
$ 25.00 

A current student ID card is required at check-in for this option.


Conference registration provides you with a program bag and conference packet, admission to all keynote presentations and breakout sessions. Includes breakfast, lunch, and beverages.

 
 
Extra Options
Meditation: A Key for Unlocking the Power of the Present Moment; Jonathon I …
Meditation: A Key for Unlocking the Power of the Present Moment; Jonathon I …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  04:45:PM  —  05:45:PM EST

Meditation can be an effective tool for self-care and stress management, increasing your ability to be present and live in the moment. And when we can learn to sustain being more present in our daily lives, we can have more power and agency to create growth opportunities, positive change and solutions not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of those we serve and our greater community. Experience a peaceful and restorative guided meditation to lead you towards a calmer mind and more present and focused state of being.

 
Meditation: A Key for Unlocking the Power of the Present Moment; Jonathon I …
Meditation: A Key for Unlocking the Power of the Present Moment; Jonathon I …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  04:45:PM  —  05:45:PM EST

Meditation can be an effective tool for self-care and stress management, increasing your ability to be present and live in the moment. And when we can learn to sustain being more present in our daily lives, we can have more power and agency to create growth opportunities, positive change and solutions not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of those we serve and our greater community. Experience a peaceful and restorative guided meditation to lead you towards a calmer mind and more present and focused state of being.

 
Thursday Evening Reception: January 25, 2024
Thursday Evening Reception: January 25, 2024
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  05:30:PM  —  07:00:PM EST

Included in Thursday Only, 2-Day, and 3-Day Tickets. Select Yes or No to confirm attendance.

 
Friday Evening Dinner: January 26, 2024
Friday Evening Dinner: January 26, 2024
$ 25.00 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  05:30:PM  —  07:30:PM EST

Includes dinner and entertainment by the University of Michigan Musical Theater.

 
Friday Evening Dinner PRESENTER: January 26, 2024
Friday Evening Dinner PRESENTER: January 26, 2024
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  06:00:PM  —  08:00:PM EST
 
SCECH Credits Needed
SCECH Credits Needed
$ 10.00 

Our SCECH sponsor, Macomb Intermediate School District, requires this form for reviewing and uploading your credits into your account.

 
 
Keynotes: Thursday, January 25, 2024
The Science and Power of Hope; Kathryn Goetzke
The Science and Power of Hope; Kathryn Goetzke
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  08:15:AM  —  09:15:AM EST

Hopelessness is the single consistent predictor of suicide, and primary symptom of anxiety and depression. Yet we are never taught what it is, and how to get to hope. Hope is measurable, and teachable. During this talk, you'll learn about a global movement for hope, through Hopeful Cities, Hopeful Minds, and Hopeful Mindsets, and know how to measure, and improve your hope, using the SHINE Hope framework.

 
Understanding Struggling Students; Hayley Watson
Understanding Struggling Students; Hayley Watson
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  09:15:AM  —  10:15:AM EST

This session will provide educators with practical tips for having conversations with students that create a sense of connection and belonging, even in the face of struggle. You will learn a conversation framework, as well as the specific words that you can use to provide guidance and support in a way that is safe, structured, and supportive. You will leave with strategies to up-skill the rest of your team, and increased confidence to support all the students in your school community.

 
Illuminate, Intervene, and Inspire: Unveiling the Link Between Youth Substa …
Illuminate, Intervene, and Inspire: Unveiling the Link Between Youth Substa …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  12:30:PM  —  01:30:PM EST

This presentation will discuss sociocultural risk factors associated with self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among Latinx youth. Culturally-relevant factors include acculturative stress and acculturation gaps, and structural level risk factors include racism (i.e., interpersonal and systemic), racial trauma, and discrimination/racial microaggressions. Given the importance of using a resilience framework when working with diverse and minoritized community members struggling with self-injury and suicide we will also discuss culturally-relevant protective processes that can buffer these system level risk factors, like discussing the importance of strong racial/ethnic identity and civic engagement, and collective healing practices. This presentation will end with a discussion of current structural and sociocultural barriers to care and will also facilitate a conversation about possible multi-level solutions that can help equitable suicide interventions move forward.

 
A Journey Towards Self-Discovery and Hope; Mason Englert, Interviewed by: …
A Journey Towards Self-Discovery and Hope; Mason Englert, Interviewed by: …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  01:30:PM  —  02:15:PM EST

Mason Englert completed his first Major League season with the Tigers in 2023, appearing in 31 games, including one start, and posting a 4-3 record with a 5.46 ERA and 41 strikeouts. A native of Forney, TX, Englert resides in Grand Rapids in the offseason.

 
 
Breakout Group A: Thursday, January 25, 2024
The Role of Trauma and Toxic Stress on the Mental Health of Youth; Sarah Em …
The Role of Trauma and Toxic Stress on the Mental Health of Youth; Sarah Em …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

Attendees will take a look at how trauma and toxic stress affect youth. This will include effects on learning, relationships, and mental health.

 
Postvention: Facilitating Discussions with Students Affected by School Suic …
Postvention: Facilitating Discussions with Students Affected by School Suic …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

Responding effectively to the needs of the school community after a suicidal crisis is critical. This session will look at effective postvention through the lens of facilitating discussions about a student’s thoughts, reactions, emotions and feelings following the suicide death of a classmate.

 
Young Kids With Big Emotions, What Are They Trying to Tell Us?; Shelleyann …
Young Kids With Big Emotions, What Are They Trying to Tell Us?; Shelleyann …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

Behavior is communication and for our youngest learners communication can be challenging. Every child is developing and learning at a different pace, which is a good thing! Unfortunately, in our society, even our youngest learners feel unnecessary pressure to be the best in the world. What we really need to do is help them be the best for the world. We will discuss different ways to help children communicate feelings in a variety of ways.

 
Building a Zero Suicide Framework: A Journey at C.S. Mott Children's Hospit …
Building a Zero Suicide Framework: A Journey at C.S. Mott Children's Hospit …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

The presentation will highlight the engagement of C.S. Mott Children's Hopsital's engagement in building a Zero Suicide Framework for its suicide prevention and care in the emergency room and inpatient settings. This is part of a 16-site collaborative support by Cardinal Health, the Children's Hospital Association and the Zero Suicide Institute. It will review the initial organizational self study and gap analysis, workforce survey data, lead team and steering committee structure, as well as the progress made over the first 18-months in building interventions and activities across the seven elements of the Zero Suicide Framework.

 
 
Breakout Group B: Thursday, January 25, 2024
QPR for Early Childhood; Javon Reese
QPR for Early Childhood; Javon Reese
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

QPR, Question. Persuade. Refer. Is a one-hour presentation that covers three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like, CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. Throughout the presentation, we will look see how we can apply QPR to early childhood. What are signs, what might we see, and or hear.

 
CANCELLED Teen Girls are Facing Record Levels of Sadness, Here's Why; Krist …
CANCELLED Teen Girls are Facing Record Levels of Sadness, Here's Why; Krist …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

Young people are in crisis – and teen girls are particularly at risk. A recent U.S. Centers for Prevention and Disease Control report found nearly three in five teen girls felt persistently sad in 2021, double the rate of teen boys.

 
Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation (MJRF) Mental Health Champions Program; Wi …
Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation (MJRF) Mental Health Champions Program; Wi …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

The Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation is excited to share the MJRF Mental Health Champions Program with Kevin’s Song. This mental health initiative is intended to be transformative in approach for engaging youth athletes through trusted adults, specifically coaches, trainers and other professionals within the Athletic Department. Topics will include MJRF history, our Pilot program through Skyline High School (AAPS), details about our community engagement, and our future growth.

 
Gender Affirming Care and Suicide Prevention; J. Kaplan, A. Caretto, D. Shu …
Gender Affirming Care and Suicide Prevention; J. Kaplan, A. Caretto, D. Shu …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

This panel will explore how to prevent suicide by providing gender affirming care. What exactly is gender affirming care? How does anti-LGBTQ legislation impact the mental health of LGBTQ folx? What can schools and professionals do to understand and support the needs of trans people? Hear from an endocrinologist, a psychologist, and an attorney to get these and many other questions answered in this lively discussion.

 
 
Breakout Group C: Thursday, January 25, 2024
The Peer-to-Peer Prevention Model for Schools; Matt Vereecke
The Peer-to-Peer Prevention Model for Schools; Matt Vereecke
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation will share its approach to Hope Squad, a nationally-recognized peer-to-peer suicide prevention program with practical advice for implementation and culture change over time with school-based settings.

 
CAMS-4 Teens; Natalie Burns
CAMS-4 Teens; Natalie Burns
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

Rates of suicide ideation and attempts for youth remain high in the United States and there is a lack of evidence-based treatment for suicide risk for adolescents. The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) treatment framework aims to help suicidal patients manage suicide thoughts and behaviors on an outpatient basis as much as possible, while also addressing individualized drivers of suicide as a focus of treatment and learning alternate ways of coping. The Suicide Status Form (SSF), which guides the treatment process through assessment, treatment planning, and stabilization planning, has been validated for adolescents ages 12-17 (Brausch et al., 2021). An NIMH-funded randomized clinical trial is currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of CAMS-4Teens. The workshop presenter will provide an overview of the CAMS Framework®, its evidence base for decreasing suicide ideation and increasing hope in both adults and adolescents, and specific strategies for implementing CAMS in school settings.

 
Suicide Prevention with Indigenous Youth; Adon Valquez, Taylor Puckett-Maxw …
Suicide Prevention with Indigenous Youth; Adon Valquez, Taylor Puckett-Maxw …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

During this session, Sacred Bundle Program staff will discuss the unique challenges faced by youth, especially those in tribal communities, in accessing mental health services. Topics such as cultural normalcy, youth centered prevention, and discussing ways to integrate traditional healing practices will be covered in the session. The Sacred Bundle Project remains committed to expanding resources and trainings for tribal communities and other underserved populations across the State of Michigan. 

 
Evaluation and Management of Youth Suicidal Ideations and Behaviors; Shama …
Evaluation and Management of Youth Suicidal Ideations and Behaviors; Shama …
 
Thursday Jan 25, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

In 2021, Suicide was the third leading cause of deaths among adolescents aged 15–19 years and second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 (CDC). Evaluation and management of youth with suicidal ideation and behaviors starts with a thorough risk assessment and requires a combination of medical, social, community and psychiatric interventions depending upon the seriousness of their intent, their underlying risk factors, and their individual support system.

 
 
Keynotes: Friday, January 26, 2024
Firearm Storage As a Suicide Prevention Tool; Michael Anestis
Firearm Storage As a Suicide Prevention Tool; Michael Anestis
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  08:15:AM  —  09:15:AM EST

Firearms accounted for 55% of American suicide deaths in 2022 and, with over 400 million privately owned firearms in circulation, a meaningful portion of the US population remains at environmental risk for suicide. Unfortunately, those most likely to die by suicide using a firearm are less likely to engage with mental healthcare and their risk remains unknown until it is too late. In this presentation, Dr. Anestis will discuss how the broad implementation of secure firearm storage may represent the single most powerful suicide prevention tool at our disposal and how a combinations of approaches may help shift social norms around firearm storage in communities otherwise likely to store their firearms more dangerously.

 
A New Theory of Suicidal Violence; Thomas Joiner, Interviewed by: Angela T. …
A New Theory of Suicidal Violence; Thomas Joiner, Interviewed by: Angela T. …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  09:15:AM  —  10:15:AM EST

Mass shooters often display behaviors that strongly mirror the warning signs for suicide: lives led in isolation, intense personal suffering, disaffection, and struggle. A range of behaviors such as murder-suicide, terrorism, and mass shootings are better understood as motivated by suicidal impulses than by homicidal ones.


Thomas Joiner offers a unified theory of suicide, making the case that many acts that appear homicidal are best understood primarily as suicidal. We must recognize that there are several forms of suicidal violence, some of which masquerade as other types of acts, including terrorism and murder. These include suicide-by-cop, suicide terrorism, murder-suicide, and running amok. Though there are obvious differences among these acts, Joiner argues that framing them as stemming from a common ideology of suicide is a crucial step in preventing these atrocities.

By recognizing the desire to die?not to kill?as being at the heart of many of the acts of those who choose violence against others, we can offer more effective measures of intervention.

 
Suicide Prevention in the State of Michigan; B. Ahmendani, N. Buyle, L. DeC …
Suicide Prevention in the State of Michigan; B. Ahmendani, N. Buyle, L. DeC …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  12:30:PM  —  01:15:PM EST

Suicide Prevention in the State of Michigan panel discussion with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission. Moderated by Michael Pyne of HealthWest.

 
Mitigating Suicide Risk: Options Outside of Hospitalization and Related Eth …
Mitigating Suicide Risk: Options Outside of Hospitalization and Related Eth …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  01:15:PM  —  02:15:PM EST

This will be an interactive experience between the presenter and the audience focusing on the mitigation of risk (as opposed to assessing for it). The target will be on not only the alternatives to hospitalization (often with better data supporting them than inpatient stays) but also the ethical considerations that concerned stakeholders must navigate when undergoing this mission!

 
 
Breakout Group A: Friday, January 26, 2024
Embarking on Our Journey to Zero: Implementing the Zero Suicide Framework; …
Embarking on Our Journey to Zero: Implementing the Zero Suicide Framework; …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

In 2021, Hope Network was awarded a five-year grant from SAMHSA to implement the Zero Suicide Model throughout Hope Network across the State of Michigan to raise awareness and improve care and outcomes for individuals who are at risk for suicide. This is being accomplished by enhancing behavioral health services, focusing on suicide reduction, through professional development; increasing consistent, uniform screening and referral; and improving level of care in residential, crisis residential and outpatient programs through implementation of evidence-based practices. Throughout this presentation, two members of the Zero Suicide Leadership Team with lived experience will highlight activities implemented including program workflows, key metrics and clinical outcomes, evidence-based practices, and lessons learned through this initiative.

 
Compassion Fatigue and the Mental Health System: An Urgent Call For Change; …
Compassion Fatigue and the Mental Health System: An Urgent Call For Change; …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

How do world events, near and far, impact our ability to compassionately treat a suicidal individual? What does it mean for the suicidal person and the clinician? This presentation covers various aspects of compassion fatigue, training deficiencies, and the impact of adverse world events on mental health treatment resulting in sending individuals to the emergency room prematurely.

 
Beyond Stigma: Normalizing Mental Health Treatment for the Future, Vasilis …
Beyond Stigma: Normalizing Mental Health Treatment for the Future, Vasilis …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

This session outlines stigma related to mental illness, highlighting the mainstream media influences that can have a tremendous impact on an individual’s well-being and suicidal ideation. The conversation explores the shortcomings of current stigma reduction approaches, discussing the role of mental health practitioners and advocates. Exploration of this topic aims to systematically review lessons and interventions to better understand crucial elements to create change. 

 
Bipolar Learning Health Networks: Integrating Clinical Care With Research; …
Bipolar Learning Health Networks: Integrating Clinical Care With Research; …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  10:30:AM  —  11:30:AM EST

This presentation will focus on the learning health system (LHS) as an approach to integrating clinical care and research in bipolar disorder. It will include a description of the LHS as well as an update on the current status of research in bipolar disorder

 
 
Breakout Group B: Friday, January 26, 2023
Why People Die by Suicide; Thomas Joiner
Why People Die by Suicide; Thomas Joiner
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

In his interpersonal theory of suicidal behavior, Thomas Joiner proposes three factors that mark those most at risk of death: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, perhaps chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself. He tests the theory against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics, and neurobiology--facts about suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; anorexics, athletes, prostitutes, and physicians; members of cults, sports fans, and citizens of nations in crisis. 

 
Almost Magic: Promoting Healing & Connection Through a Community-wide Activ …
Almost Magic: Promoting Healing & Connection Through a Community-wide Activ …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

Postvention is the collaborative approach to provide support and resources to any person impacted by a suicide loss with the ultimate goals of addressing the healing process, mitigating any felt negative effects, and preventing additional suicides. It has been found that those who have participated in an active postvention model receive mental health services sooner (an average of 45 days vs. 4.5 years), are more likely to attend support groups, attend support groups more often, and have a decrease in suicidality. Additionally, providing active postvention may be cost-effective in terms of psychological treatment for suicide loss survivors. But how does a community develop an effective postvention program? This presentation will detail the process and strategies taken in Milwaukee, WI to lay the foundation of an active postvention model within an urban, culturally diverse community. Aims of this program include conducting direct outreach to survivors of suicide loss to determine needs and provide local resources, identifying gaps in community services, developing a targeted resource guide, and determining feasibility of an expanded community based postvention program. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of what is needed to initiate and implement a successful program within their own community to promote healing and reduce suicides, including strategies to address equitable access. In addition, attendees will view examples of resources and program materials that they can replicate in their own programming.

 
Suicide Prevention in a Clinical Setting: Processes and Outcomes from the F …
Suicide Prevention in a Clinical Setting: Processes and Outcomes from the F …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  02:30:PM  —  03:30:PM EST

Presenters will provide participants with information about the Zero Suicide model, and what implementation of this model looks like in a clinical setting. We will talk through the importance of lethal means reduction, cultural competency of clinicians, and specific modalities, such as CAMS, for use in suicide prevention clinical practice as examples of best practice in suicide care. Presenters will discuss the impact of being a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), and how access to care saves lives. As well, this presentation will demonstrate the impact of Zero Suicide and best practice implementation through the sharing out outcomes.

 
 
Breakout Group C: Friday, January 26, 2024
Avoiding the Malpractice Snare; Skip Simpson
Avoiding the Malpractice Snare; Skip Simpson
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

Legal liability for mental health providers after a suicide loss.

 
A Part of Me Wants to Die: Using Internal Family Systems to Help Suicidal …
A Part of Me Wants to Die: Using Internal Family Systems to Help Suicidal …
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based trauma therapy that can be used effectively to treat clients who have parts of them that want to die to escape emotional pain. Most client's come to us with polarities-a part of them is coming for help, while another part is hopeless and feels checking out is the only option. Shaming these parts, ignoring them or doing no-harm contracts is not effective.

In IFS, we welcome all parts, get to know them and offer alternative ways to heal younger wounded parts. Letting suicidal parts know there is another way.

 
Navigating Suicide Postvention and Care Transitions; Melissa Tolstyka
Navigating Suicide Postvention and Care Transitions; Melissa Tolstyka
 
Friday Jan 26, 2024 @  03:45:PM  —  04:45:PM EST

The purpose of this presentation is to explore strategies for providing comprehensive services in the aftermath of a suicide crisis or attempt in various levels of care. By emphasizing integration and collaboration, the objective to is provide healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively navigate individuals through the care transition process.

 
 
Keynotes: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Suicide as an Unheard Cry From the Soul; Fr. Ron Rolheiser
Suicide as an Unheard Cry From the Soul; Fr. Ron Rolheiser
 
Saturday Jan 27, 2024 @  08:45:AM  —  09:00:AM EST

The churches are forever trying to save the soul and psychology is always trying to fix the soul. But the soul needs neither to be saved nor fixed. It needs to be listened to! Its cries need to be heard. Are these unheard cries of the soul the reason for many suicides?

 
Speak the Unspeakable: The Stories We Tell Ourselves; The Stories We Tell E …
Speak the Unspeakable: The Stories We Tell Ourselves; The Stories We Tell E …
 
Saturday Jan 27, 2024 @  09:00:AM  —  10:00:AM EST

The power of storytelling and personal narrative: examining one suicide attempt survivor’s path from suicide risk to suicide resilience.

 
Speaking of Love; La Toya Bond
Speaking of Love; La Toya Bond
 
Saturday Jan 27, 2024 @  10:00:AM  —  11:00:AM EST

Healing after a suicide loss is a lifelong journey. In this presentation, La Toya Bond shares her deeply personal story of tragic loss, grief, resilience, hope, and love. This presentation will offer information on how the power of love can help heal the hearts of individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.

 
Healing Together… Surviving a Loss to Suicide; Barb Smith
Healing Together… Surviving a Loss to Suicide; Barb Smith
 
Saturday Jan 27, 2024 @  11:15:AM  —  12:15:PM EST

Barb Smith will walk the participants through the many emotions left behind after a loss to suicide. Understanding that suicide grief is unique, we all walk our own paths. You will learn simple yet effective tools and tips to grieve in a healthy way. Barb has 34 years experience in suicide loss as the founder of the survivor of suicide loss group, LOSS team coordinator and a victims advocate for the Saginaw County Sheriff Dept., allowing her to care for people from the onset of a suicide and for months or years following. She will use her experiences both personal and professional to guide this presentation. 

 
SESSION CANCELLED
SESSION CANCELLED
 
Saturday Jan 27, 2024 @  11:15:AM  —  12:00:PM EST
 
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