New Jersey’s 8th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
Embracing Life: 988 and the Path to Hope

date Date: 10-19-2023
timeTime: 9:00 EST

Agenda

Agenda

time iconOctober 19, 2023 09:00 am

Welcome & Introduction to the Event

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Dr. Maria Kirchner
NJ Department of Health

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Allison Kusznikow
NJ Department of Human Services

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Jeff Carrick
NJ Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care

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Valerie Mielke
NJ Department of Human Services

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Ann Marie Flory
NJ Department of Health

New Jersey's Suicide Prevention Committee co-leads from the Department of Human Services, Ally Kusznikow, and Department of Health, Dr. Maria Kirchner, together with Jeff Carrick from the Department of Children welcome attendees and give an overview of the day.

The Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Assistant Commissioner, Valerie Mielke, greets the audience.

The Department of Health's Research Scientist at the Center for Health Statistics, Bretta Jacquemin, provided a brief overview of suicide statistics and trends in the nation and NJ.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 09:20 am

Dr. Clancy Martin: How Not to Kill Yourself: A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind

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Dr. Clancy Martin
Author

Clancy Martin will be discussing his personal experience as a survivor of multiple suicide attempts, with the goal of helping others understand how suicidal thinking works from the inside. He will also be suggesting simple techniques and lessons from great thinkers that have helped him to avoid making an attempt and that will help others in crisis.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 10:05 am

988 and the Crisis Continuum Panel Discussion

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Jesse Szwed
Contact of Mercer

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Natacha White
Cumberland Urgent Care

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Kate Donovan
Monmouth Medical Center

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Mary Jean Weston
NJ Department of Human Services

This presentation will provide an overview of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the new nationwide 3-digit dialing code for suicide prevention as well as mental health and/or substance use crisis. Mary Jean Weston, New Jersey’s 988 State Lead, will explain development of the three pillars which make up the 988 system: Someone to call, chat or text; Someone to respond; Somewhere safe to go. The program will also include a brief explanation of when to contact 988 and when to call 911.

 

Following this presentation, a panel of professionals who work in various parts of the New Jersey Acute Care System will share their thoughts and reflections on the importance of the work they do.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 11:00 am

AM Breakout Session: Preventing Firearm Suicide

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Dr. Michael Anestis
New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center

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Dr. Robert Eilers
NJ Department of Human Services

In this presentation, Dr. Anestis will discuss  the role of firearms in American suicide and address various individual and population-level interventions that could help reduce the burden of firearm suicide. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 11:00 am

AM Breakout Session: Youth Suicide Prevention: Developing Awareness, Assessment, & Connection in Professionals and the Community

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Jeff Carrick
NJ Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care

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Kalisha Smith
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

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Stacy Reh
New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care

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Maureen Brogan
Traumatic Loss Coalition

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Liz Graham
180 Turning Lives Around- 2NDFLOOR

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Dr. Meera Wells
The Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative

This panel discussion is hosted by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.  Panelists from the Traumatic Loss Coalition, 2NDFLOOR Youth Helpline, NJ Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, and the Children’s System of Care will discuss best practices related to suicide & traumatic event response, training, screening, and policy applicable to professionals working with youth, families and community organizations.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 11:00 am

AM Breakout Session: First Responder/Frontline Medical Staff

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Tim Seplaki
NJ Department of Health

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Roy Diaz
Cop2Cop

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Sandra Lynch
Evesham Township Fire District No.1

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Eric Hicken
NJ Department of Health

We explore the resources available for first responders and discuss proactive mental health and wellness, managing the impact of emotional trauma, and how to activate a crisis intervention team.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 11:00 am

AM Breakout Session: Suicide in Societal Context

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Steve Crimando
NJ Department of Human Services

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Megan Sullivan
NJ Department of Human Services

Adjusting to a Modern World

Human behavior is a function of the interaction between a person and their environment. Our current and anticipated near-term environment is complex, dynamic, and challenging, necessitating an adaptation to the new societal landscape and mitigating the potential mental health consequences of this changing environment. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 11:50 am

Lunch Break

time iconOctober 19, 2023 12:20 pm

Dr. Petros Levounis: Addiction: The Missing Link in Suicide Prevention

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Dr. Petros Levounis
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

This talk will focus on the state of addiction science, substances and behaviors, treatments, and social context in 2023. The lecturer will also address the link between addiction and suicide. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 01:00 pm

Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Suicide

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Steve Crimando
NJ Department of Human Services

As global temperatures rise, climate change’s impacts on mental health are becoming increasingly evident. Researchers project that up to 21,000 additional suicides will occur by 2050 within the United States and Mexico if climate change continues to warm the Earth at the current projected rates. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 01:30 pm

Peer Providers in Crisis Services Panel Discussion

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Anne Smullen Thieling
Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey

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Matt Bruno
Rutgers Health - University Behavioral Health Care

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Cynthia Camacho
Oaks Integrated Care

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Carlyn Barnes
Legacy Treatment Services

This panel discussion highlights the effectiveness of peer support in crisis situations and addresses personal and professional challenges of this role.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 02:30 pm

PM Breakout Session: Vulnerable Populations and Suicide

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JP Pedoto
Family Connections

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Dr. Schenike Massie-Lambert
Rutgers Health - University Behavioral Health Care

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Dr. Robert Nagle
Middleton Psychology Services

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Celina Levy
NJ Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

This panel discussion focuses on vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by negative social conditions and health disparities that put them at greater risk for suicidality. Panelists will help us understand how to better serve these populations in the effort to prevent suicides. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 02:30 pm

PM Breakout Session: From Loss to Light

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Wendy Sefcik
Remembering TJ

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Tricia Baker
Attitudes in Reverse

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Shilpa Kulkarni
Shiv’s Third Eye

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Deirdre Allette Asiema
Darren Clark Jr. Memorial Foundation

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Maureen Brogan
Traumatic Loss Coalition

Join us in this session to hear from Survivors of Suicide Loss who have moved forward in the wake of their profound loss to help others.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 02:30 pm

PM Breakout Session: Service Members, Veterans, and their Families

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Vincent Solomeno
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

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Dr. Mike Colston
NJ Department of Health

Get informed about available programs implemented by the Veterans Administration and the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and their coalitions for Veterans at risk of suicide.

time iconOctober 19, 2023 02:30 pm

PM Breakout Session: Approaching the Cliff: A Conversation About Passive Suicide

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Janet Berkowitz
Creative Crisis Care

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Dr. Stacey Freedenthal
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work

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Amy Hassa
NJ Department of Human Services

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Danielle Lopez

We will look at how the persistent desire to die manifests, how it is impacted by stigma, and how individuals can best support the person coping with these feelings. 

time iconOctober 19, 2023 03:20 pm

Closing Remarks

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Dr. Mike Colston
NJ Department of Health

Dr. Colston reflects on the day and gives a perspective for the future of preventing suicide in New Jersey.