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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please enjoy a 30-minute break and we will resume at 1:00 EST for the next session.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Valerie Mielke, MSW
NJ Department of Human Services