Dr. Maria Kirchner
NJ Department of Health
Allison Kusznikow
NJ Department of Human Services
Jeff Carrick
NJ Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care
Valerie Mielke
NJ Department of Human Services
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.
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.
Jesse Szwed
Contact of Mercer
Natacha White
Cumberland Urgent Care
Kate Donovan
Monmouth Medical Center
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.
Dr. Michael Anestis
New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center
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.
Jeff Carrick
NJ Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care
Kalisha Smith
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
Stacy Reh
New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families Children’s System of Care
Maureen Brogan
Traumatic Loss Coalition
Liz Graham
180 Turning Lives Around- 2NDFLOOR
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.
Tim Seplaki
NJ Department of Health
Roy Diaz
Cop2Cop
Sandra Lynch
Evesham Township Fire District No.1
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.
Steve Crimando
NJ Department of Human Services
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.
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.
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.
Anne Smullen Thieling
Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey
Matt Bruno
Rutgers Health - University Behavioral Health Care
Cynthia Camacho
Oaks Integrated Care
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.
JP Pedoto
Family Connections
Dr. Schenike Massie-Lambert
Rutgers Health - University Behavioral Health Care
Dr. Robert Nagle
Middleton Psychology Services
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.
Wendy Sefcik
Remembering TJ
Tricia Baker
Attitudes in Reverse
Shilpa Kulkarni
Shiv’s Third Eye
Deirdre Allette Asiema
Darren Clark Jr. Memorial Foundation
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.
Vincent Solomeno
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
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.
Janet Berkowitz
Creative Crisis Care
Dr. Stacey Freedenthal
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work
Amy Hassa
NJ Department of Human Services
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.
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.