Melissa Romeo
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
New Jersey's Suicide Prevention Committee lead from the Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Melissa Romeo, welcomes attendees and gives an overview of the day.
Bretta Jacquemin
NJ Department of Health
The Department of Health's Research Scientist at the Center for Health Statistics, Bretta Jacquemin, provides a brief overview of suicide statistics and trends in the nation and NJ.
Dr. Lisa Horowitz
National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
Suicide rates are continuing to rise, with significant disparities in rate across high-risk populations. Suicide prevention efforts require a multipronged public health approach, with significant opportunities for communities to be partners in this effort. Suicide risk screening in medical settings helps healthcare providers start difficult but critical conversations with patients. While tools do not need to be used in the community, starting difficult conversations with family members, friends and co-workers can help prevent suicide. This presentation will focus on effective and practical suicide prevention practices that can be used in healthcare settings and even more importantly, in communities, to save lives.
Dr. Thomas Joiner
Florida State University
In his 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, the research literature, and elsewhere.
Recent clinical and conceptual developments will be reviewed.
Karen Wapner
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
William Zimmermann
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
Joseph Haber
Legacy Treatment Services
Allison MacFadyen
Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services
This presentation will provide an overview of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the greater 988 crisis care continuum for individuals experiencing behavioral health struggles. The New Jersey 988 State Lead, Karen Wapner, will explain development of the three pillars which make up the 988 system: Someon to Contact (text, call or chat); Someone to Respond; A Safe Place for Help.
Following this presentation, a panel of professionals who work within the 988 Crisis Care Continuum will share their thoughts and reflections on the importance of the work they do.
Dr. Jerry Reed
Lorraine Soltis
Office of the Public Guardian
Jonna Fritz
Office of the Public Guardian
Wendy Sefcik
This one-hour presentation will address older adult suicide prevention. Participants will learn the data on older adult suicide; risk and warning signs; protective factors; successful interventions; and what is being done nationally to address this population of risk and what states and localities can do to reduce morbidity and mortality surrounding older adult suicide.
Dr. Michael Anestis
New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center
Dr. Samuel L. Hayes Jr.
NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Ian Brady
Department of Veteran Affairs
Dr. Robert Eilers
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
With a focus on veterans and their risks of suicide, speakers will address firearm safety and the risks of insecure storage on firearm suicide, as well as ways to address these risks and prevent suicide. From his perspective as Director of the Rutgers Gun Violence Research Center, Dr. Anestis will present data on firearm suicide deaths and the relevant research on risk factors for suicide, particularly in veterans. He will discuss how firearm safety can prevent suicides. Dr. Samuel Hayes of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will then describe the Governors Challenge program, in which New Jersey is joining forces with community-based suicide prevention initiatives across the nation to prevent Suicide in service members, veterans, and their families. Lastly, Ian Brady, who is a peer specialist with the VA will describe his personal experience working with veterans at risk for suicide.
Dr. Kimberly O'Brien
Kendall Martin
Declan Maguire
Maureen Brogan
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
This panel will provide information and the lived experience perspective on the unique needs of the athlete population with respect to mental health and suicide prevention. They will discuss risk and protective factors for suicide unique to college athletes and what keeps athletes from seeking mental health support. They will talk about the roles of coaches, trainers, parents, and teammates in preventing suicide and providing mental health support. Finally, they will discuss strategies athletes can use to prioritize their mental health.
Stephen Chukumba
Garden State Equality
Jade Bechelli
Office of Governor Phil Murphy
Luiz Pereira
NJ Department of Education
Megan Sullivan
NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Jeffery Carrick
NJ Department of Children and Families
Suchir Govindarajan
NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
Jack Auzinger
Jennie Blakney
NJ Department of Health
Ekansha Tabhane
As Chairman of the National Governor’s Association, Governor Murphy focused on youth mental health through his Strengthening Youth Mental Health Initiative. The Strengthening Youth Mental Health: A Governor’s Playbook was the culmination of that initiative. As part of the Playbook, four pillars were identified to address the core challenges to the continuum of care for youth mental health. Those pillars are Stigma, Prevention and Resilience, Access to Care, and Supporting Caregivers and Educators.
Today, the Playbook is being utilized by states across the country as they craft their policies around youth mental health. Here in New Jersey, these pillars continue to guide our own initiatives. This panel will showcase how youth mental health has remained a priority for the Murphy Administration. The identified agencies have been the leaders of our state’s youth mental health priorities and collaborate with each other regularly to coordinate efforts. The role of youth voice is key to understanding how we reach youth and the effectiveness of our programs.
Sarah Adelman
NJ Department of Human Services
The New Jersey Department of Human Serivces' Commissioner, Sarah Adelman, reflects on the day and gives a perspective for the future of preventing suicide in New Jersey.