Maryland’s 30th​ Annual Suicide Prevention Conference​​

​Wednesday, October 3​, 2018

Session I | Session II | Session III

11:00-12:15 - Session I

1. Out of Harms Way: Using Peers as an Effective Approach to Suicide Prevention in the Navy
   Laurie Hanley, LCSW-C, Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Counseling & Advocacy Program, Navy Fleet & Family Support Center, Fort Meade
   The peer support model is one of the most effective strategies being used in the substance use recovery field, but is not often heard of in the context of suicide prevention. The Fort Meade Navy Suicide Prevention Program is using an innovative approach to combat stigma, increase connectedness and help Sailors access the care and services they need when experiencing a suicidal crisis by establishing a network of peers.
2. Suicide Risk Reduction in Older Adult Populations
   Stephen B. Goldberg, MD, President, Mental Health Association of Maryland, Commission on Suicide Prevention
   The suicide rate in older adults continues to rise. This workshop will address suicide risk in general and specific aspects of suicide risk in older adults. Attendees will learn how to identify suicide risk, risk- reduction strategies, and how to access care when in community and assisted care settings.
3. Suicidality in Persons with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities: Assessment and Intervention Strategies
   Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, Director of Training, Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger; Maureen van Stone, Esq, MS, Director, Project HEAL; Paul Lipkin, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director, Interactive Autism Network; and Kiely Law, MD, MPH, Research Director, Interactive Autism Network, Parent in the Autism Community
   Suicidality in persons with developmental disabilities has been a relatively neglected topic despite its clinical significance. Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are particularly at ri​sk for developing suicidal thoughts and behaviors which can create high anxiety for clinicians. This panel of multi-disciplinary experts will provide a unique examination of assessment and intervention strategies for suicidality, highlight the need to routinely assess for suicidality, and address the false assumption that limited cognitive abilities serve as a protective factor.
4. Evaluating Suicide Risk In Youth
   Rob Schmidt, EdD, LCPC, NCC Behavioral Specialist/Author, Talbot County Public Schools
   How prepared and confident are mental health practitioners/school personnel in determining suicide risk and how is this being determined? These decisions can influence a range of outcomes including negative (i.e. suicide) to positive (i.e. on path to recovery). Participants will learn about national preparedness and confidence levels, court cases, and be introduced to the Risk Identification Suicide Kit (RISK2) as an assessment tool.
5. Linkages to Life: Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan
   Jennifer Treger, MS, Director; Kari Gorkos, Senior Director, Public Education and Programs; and Kim Burton, Director, Older Adults Program, Mental Health First Aid Maryland
   We often do not think of suicide as an issue plaguing our children or older adults, nor do we think of these two groups having much in common. Children, youth, new mothers, and older adults are groups that are at a higher risk of suicide. Prevention and early intervention programs are key resources in the fight against suicide and should not be “one size fits all” programs. Learn specific resources and age-specific interventions for groups across the lifespan.​​
6. Survivors of Suicide: Transforming Pain into Hope & Healing
   Linda Diaz, CEO, Lauryn’s Law Inc.; Jennilyn Landbeck, Commissioner, Commission on Suicide Prevention; and Jamieson Brill, BA, Assistant Call Center Director, CCSI; CW4 Clifford Bauman, Army National Guard
   These panelists will provide a unique perspective from lived experience as survivors of suicide loss or suicide attempts. Each of these panelists have overcome the pain of suicide loss and today, come empowered to promote hope and healing in themselves and others.

Session I | Session II | Session III

​1:15-2:30 - Sessi​on II

1. Youth Visionaries: Stories of Struggle, Passions for Change
   Darius Craig and Amber Stewart, Maryland Youth Advisory Council; Maxwell Beauboeeuf, Maryland Coalition of Families; and Rowan Powell​​, On Our Own of Maryland
   Effectively addressing youth suicide remains a constant challenge. A panel of four young adults will discuss the personal impact of suicide and advocacy efforts for suicide prevention at the state and local levels.
2. The Goal of Zero: Understanding the Zero Suicide Model Approach
   Jarrell Pipkin, JD, LPC, Quality Director and Kristen Rose, LCSW-C, Quality Specialist, Beacon Health Options
   This workshop outlines the basic components of the “Zero Suicide” Model, which has the core belief that suicides are preventable. This workshop gives an overview of the specific strategies and tools that are part of the Zero Suicide Framework as well as actions that Beacon Health Options has taken to prioritize suicide prevention in their system of care.
3. Suicide Postvention: Caring for People After a Suicide
   Elizabeth A. Rathbone, PhD, Coordinator, Student Health and Wellness, Montgomery County Public Schools
   One study estimates that every suicide impacts an average of 115 people and 1 in 5 people experience a major life disruption as a result of suicide loss. This workshop will discuss school, family, and community perspectives as they relate to suicide postvention and provide best practices for supporting students and families after a suicide loss.
4. Maryland Suicide Prevention Regulations and Workforce Development
   Nancy Lever, PhD, Co-Director, Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland, School of Medicine; Linda Diaz, CEO, Lauryn’s Law Inc.; Deborah Nelson, PhD, Section Chief, School Safety and Climate, Maryland State Department of Education; and Jennifer Treger, MS, Director, Mental Health First Aid Maryland
   Lauryn’s Law requires all K-12 certificated staff to be trained in suicide prevention. This workshop will provide information about Lauryn’s Law including background for the impetus of the law, and implementation of the law by Maryland State Department of Education. Available suicide prevention training programs will be presented to attendees.
5. Youth Suicide and Social Media
   Rachel Larkin, MA, MSW, Director of Crisis Prevention and Intervention Services, Every Mind
   As youth suicide continues to grow, how does social media contribute to the issue? Can it be a tool to help? What do you need to know to work with today’s youth?
6. Safe Space: LGBTQ+ and Suicide Prevention
   Katie Dant, LCSW-C, Assistant Director of Crisis Services, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center and Maggie McCleary, LGBTQ Programming Consultant
   This workshop will focus on the Grassroots Safe Space training program that aims to increase cultural competence and teach suicide prevention and intervention skills to decrease suicidality within the LGBTQ+ population. The ultimate goal of the training is to decrease suicidality and improve mental health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community through discussion of language, stigma, and shifting the climate of tolerance to a climate of acceptance. ​

Session I | Session II | Session III

2:45 - 4:00​ - Session III

1. Youth Peer Support as a Mechanism to Reduce Suicide Risk
   Janel Cubbage, LGPC, Director of Suicide Prevention Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration; Larraine Bernstein, MS, Outreach and Training Program Manager, University of Maryland, School of Medicine; and Briana Lockhart, Youth Program Coordinator, NAMI Montgomery County
   Nationally, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. This workshop will look at the concept of youth helping peers to address this issue. It will specifically focus on available resources such as Kognito’s Friend2Friend training modules, Sources of Strength and research on youth peer support as a protective factor.
2. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means: An Effective Way to Save Lives
   Steve Johnson, LCPC, Vice President of Programs, Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore
   Access to lethal means can greatly influence suicide risk level for a person in crisis. This training explains why means safety is an important part of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. Learn how to work with people at risk and their families to reduce assess to lethal means and understand the importance of means safety for preventing suicide.
3. Preventing Youth Suicide in Baltimore City
   Sinmidele Badero, Child Fatality Review Coordinator, Baltimore City Health Department
   This workshop will discuss the youth suicide report that resulted from a near-fatality review group convened in Baltimore City. The presentation will focus on factors driving youth suicide in Baltimore City, the need for this project, region-specific trends, and recommendations for next steps.
4. Supporting Active Military, Veterans and their Family Members to Prevent Suicide
   David Galloway, Resource Coordinator Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans; Joy Ashcraft, LGSW, Alcohol & Drug Control Officer, Maryland Army National Guard; and Brittany Parham, PhD, Center for School Mental Health
   This workshop will explore the demographics, prevalence and unique consideration related to suicide among veterans and our military. Programs and resources available to assist military, veterans, military-connected families, and providers working with these populations will be provided.
5. Walking the Red Road
   Dustin Tyee Richardson, LCPC, Clinical Director, Native American LifeLines
   This workshop will focus on understanding the challenges working with Native American populations with a focus on urban Native American communities. There will be emphasis on suicide prevention, substance use and acculturation difficulties.
6. All Hands on Deck: Understanding the Collaborative Treatment Services for Maryland's Youth in Detention and Re-Entry Programs
   Michael S. Ito, PsyD, Director of Behavioral Health, Department of Juvenile Services; Letitia McMillion, Training Administrator, Professional Training Education Unit - PSETC; Christine Hess, LCSW-C, Clinical Coordinator, RICA Baltimore; Debbie Marini, Maryland Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration; and Brandi Stockdale, LCSW-C, Director, Child Protective Services and Family Preservation; Deborah Ingram, Coordinator, Guidance Services and Records Management, Juvenile Services Education System, Maryland State Department of Education
   This workshop will examine the collaborative efforts of various state agencies as they work to provide services that meet the treatment needs of youth with behavioral health issues in detention and youth re- entering the community. Panelists will identify strategies to assist juveniles and families in need of services.​

Session I | Session II | Session III​​​