Fostering Connection Across the Lifespan
2022 New York State Suicide Prevention Conference
September 20th, 21st & 22nd, 2022
Social connection is the experience of feeling close to and a sense of belonging with others. A large volume of research with diverse populations and age groups shows that social connectedness is one of the most important factors in determining not only our mental health, but also our physical health. This three-day, virtual conference will bring together internationally recognized experts to summarize the latest prevention science and explain why we should all be more focused on supporting social connection across the lifespan—from early childhood and adolescence through our working and older-age years.
Participants will be able to take ideas showcased in the conference back to their diverse communities and begin or build on existing work aimed at supporting healthy social connection.
We will be offering CEU credits for Physicians, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Peers, Psychologists and CASACs for almost all sessions. Each session will list which credits are offered once you are inside the platform.
September 20, 2022
DAY ONE:
Making the Case for Connection & Innovative Models for At-Risk Groups
8:45am- 4:00pm
8:45am-9:00am
Opening
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner
9:00am-10:00am
Plenary
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Director, Mental Health Equity Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
10:00am-11:00am
Plenary
Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
11:00am-12:00pm
Plenary
Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University
12:00pm-1:00pm
Keynote
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University
1:00pm-4:00pm
Round Table Discussion
New York State Office of Mental Health Chief Diversity Officer
Associate Professor, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at George Washington University
Helping to Alleviate Valley Experiences Now (HAVEN)- Connect is a suicide prevention program designed to help youth feel socially and emotionally connected to natural, cohesive, social networks and to enhance their adaptive coping skills to help prevent suicide among African American youth who attend predominantly Black churches.
Director of the Family Acceptance Project and Adjunct Distinguished Professor at San Francisco State University
An overview of the Family Acceptance Projects (FAP’s) work in establishing the critical role of family support in helping to prevent suicide related health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and adolescents. LGBTQ youth and adults are at elevated risk of suicide. Younger ages of self-identifying as LGBTQ in childhood and early adolescence coupled with escalating efforts to politicize LGBTQ identities have increased minority stress experienced by LGBTQ young people.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired, Infantry, US Army)
Co-Director, Transitioning Servicemember/Veteran And Suicide Prevention Center (TASC)
VA VISN 2 MIRECC, James J. Peters VAMC, Bronx, NY
Joe will review elevated risk for suicide in service members and both Protective and risk factors. He will describe the evidence-base for his model of suicide prevention in transitioning service members and The Three Step theory of Suicide prevention as well as how lessons learned from this population can be applied to others.
Founder, CEO, & President of ComuniLife, Inc.
Founder of Life Is Precious
Description of development and implementation of this community-defined program to reduce suicidal behaviors among Latina adolescents by promoting family and peer connectivity. Early findings of program evaluation as part of the academic-community partnership and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the program participants.
Director of Tribal Initiatives, Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Vickie La Fromboise will discuss suicide risk in the Native American population and the challenges in engaging this population. There will be a review of Evidence-based treatments for this population and what Suicide prevention work looks like in this high-risk population
September 21, 2022
Day Two:
Connection Across the Lifespan
9:15am- 4:30pm
9:15am-9:30am
Opening
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner
9:30am-10:30am
Plenary
Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University & Director of the Child & Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative
10:30am-12:00pm
Keynote
Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Youth Depression and Suicide Prevention Program at the University of Michigan
12:00pm-1:30pm
Plenary
President of United Suicide Survivors International, clinical psychologist, inspirational international speaker and impact entrepreneur
UA VIP instructor/BTJ Pipefitter, retired U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class, and member of UA Local 58
1:30pm-3:00pm
Plenary
Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center
Director, Americorps Seniors
Director, Office of Research and Evaluation AmeriCorps
3:00pm-4:30pm
“How-to” Workshops: Learn from those doing the work in NY!
Presenters: James Mazza, PhD | Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, PhD | Alexandra Hernandez | Jacklyn Beck
Presenters: Jen Marr | Taylor Walls
Presenters: Hetal Tangal, MD | Allison Lieber, LCSW | David Beguin, MD, PhD | Laura Sigel | Marcia Rice, RN, MS
Presenter: Kim Van Orden, PhD
September 22, 2022
DAY THREE:
Community-level Connection & Stories of Hope from Attempt Survivors
8:45am – 1:00pm
8:45am-9:00am
Opening
Director of the New York State Office of Mental Health's Suicide Prevention Center
9:00am-10:00am
Plenary
Professor and Director of the School and Community-Based Prevention Laboratory at the University of Rochester
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Senior Human Subjects Research Coordinator Department of Psychiatry University of Rochester School of Medicine
Senior Research - Prevention Specialist University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
10:00am-11:30am
Keynote
Primary care physician at Frome Medical Practice in Frome, Somerset, England
11:30am-1:00pm
Stories of Hope and Connection
Deputy Director of the New York State Office of Consumer Affairs
Tony Trahan, Deputy Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs will facilitate a panel of individuals with their personal stories of how they found hope and connection after experiencing suicidal ideation and surviving suicide attempts
Licensed social worker, coordinating daily operations for MHA Westchester’s Sterling Community Center
Network Manager for Wellness Collaborative of NY IPA
Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Nassau County
Regional Advocacy Specialist, New York State Office of Mental Health - Office of Consumer Affairs