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New Jersey’s 7th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference: Connecting Communities to Save Lives

date Date: 10-12-2022
timeTime: 9:00 EST

Agenda

Agenda

October 12, 2022 09:00 am

Opening Remarks, Welcome Address & Keynote Speaker 1

Maria Kirchner, PhD
NJ Department of Health

Ally Kusznikow
NJ Department of Human Services

Governor Phil Murphy
State of New Jersey

Amy Kennedy
The Kennedy Forum

Sarah Adelman
NJ Department of Human Services

New Jersey's Suicide Prevention Committee co-leads, Ally Kusznikow and Dr. Maria Kirchner, welcome attendees and give an overview of the day.

 

Governor Murphy makes his Welcome Address and emphasizes the importance of continuing suicide prevention for the State of New Jersey.

 

This conversation with Keynote Speaker Amy Kennedy from The Kennedy Forum moderated by DHS Commissioner Sarah Adelman will explore the role of screening in suicide prevention, insurance coverage for suicide prevention measures, and best practices for community suicide prevention planning. Topics will include the Zero Suicide framework, role of peers in emergency mental health response, building suicide prevention into 988, and some other State examples.

AM Breakout Session: 988

Mary Jean Weston, LCSW
NJ Department of Human Services

Melissa Horn
Moderator

Learn about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, needing prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

AM Breakout Session: Veterans

Matthew Jacobs
US Department of Veterans Affairs

Ally Kusznikow
Moderator

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

AM Breakout Session: Firearm Violence

Michael Anestis, PhD
New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center

Robert Eilers, MD
Moderator

Learn of the surge in firearm purchases, understand the connection to owning a firearm and the pandemic, and who is at risk of suicide or a suicide attempt.

AM Breakout Session: Youth

Susan Tellone
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

Kalisha Smith, LCSW

Ashley Costello, LSW
Moderator

The increase in deaths by suicide for youth is alarming. Learn how to effectively address this serious problem from various angles and how to collaborate to prevent future suicides.

AM Breakout Session: Geriatric

Lucille Esralew, PhD
California Department of Developmental Services

Maria Kirchner, PhD
Moderator

How deaths by suicide differ for the geriatric community and what their special needs are to prevent future suicides and suicide attempts.

AM Breakout Session: Racial Trauma

Aubrey Daniels, PhD
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Neal Stephens
Moderator

Understand the widespread impact of racial trauma on mental health and suicide and suicide attempts and how we can effectively respond to it.

October 12, 2022 10:55 am

Panel Discussion: State Department Leaders

Deputy Commissioner Lisa Asare
NJ Department of Human Services

Deputy Commissioner Colonel Walter Nall
NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Deputy Commissioner Deborah Hartel
NJ Department of Health

Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer
NJ Department of Children and Families

Assistant Commissioner Kathleen Ehling
NJ Department of Education

Valerie Mielke, MSW
Moderator

State Departments come together in this panel to share the innovative ways they are working together to address the suicide prevention in New Jersey. The panelists will each share the approaches their offices have taken and how they continue to collaborate with each other to keep New Jersey's suicide rate one of the lowest in the Country.

October 12, 2022 11:45 am

Keynote Speaker 2

Kevin Hines

Kevin's story is now the only evidence-based story of a suicide attempt survived. We would welcome any opportunity to help, save and heal more people while hearing his message of hope.  In addition to mental health and suicide prevention, he covers topics like brain fitness, stress, resilience, recovery, trauma, inclusion, diversity, Covid-19 and its impact on mental health and many more.   

October 12, 2022 12:30 pm

Lunch Break

Please enjoy a 30-minute break and we will resume at 1:00 EST for the next session.

October 12, 2022 01:00 pm

Workplace Wellness

Steve Crimando
NJ Department of Human Services

Recent data supports a significant increase in workplace suicides and listen in on why implementing wellness in the workplace is so important.

PM Breakout Session: 988

Mary Jean Weston, LCSW
NJ Department of Human Services

Melissa Horn
Moderator

Learn about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, needing prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

PM Breakout Session: Veterans

Matthew Jacobs
US Department of Veterans Affairs

Ally Kusznikow
Moderator

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

PM Breakout Session: Firearm Violence

Shelby Bandel
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Robert Eilers
Moderator

Learn of the surge in firearm purchases, understand the connection to owning a firearm and the pandemic, and who is at risk of suicide or a suicide attempt.

PM Breakout Session: Youth

Susan Tellone
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

Kalisha Smith, LCSW

Stacy Reh
Moderator

The increase in deaths by suicide for youth is alarming. Learn how to effectively address this serious problem from various angles and how to collaborate to prevent future suicides.

PM Breakout Session: Geriatric

Lucille Esralew, PhD
California Department of Developmental Services

Maria Kirchner, PhD
Moderator

How deaths by suicide differ for the geriatric community and what their special needs are to prevent future suicides and suicide attempts.

October 12, 2022 01:35 pm

PM Breakout Session: Racial Trauma

Aubrey Daniels, PhD
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Neal Stephens
Moderator

Understand the widespread impact of racial trauma on mental health and suicide and suicide attempts and how we can effectively respond to it.

October 12, 2022 02:25 pm

Closing Remarks

Valerie Mielke, MSW
NJ Department of Human Services