After Anne Moss tried to ¬find help for her son, Charles, a creative genius and rap artist, he met heroin, a love/hate relationship that ended with his suicide on June 5, 2015. This presentation focuses on the story of how the funniest, most popular kid in school suffered from depression and became addicted to heroin and how his mother found healing after the most devastating loss of her life.

Anne Moss Rogers is a certified suicide prevention trainer, NAMI Virginia board member, and the award-winning author of Diary of a Broken Mind. Her blog, Emotionally Naked, has reached millions. She has been featured in the New York Times and was the first suicide loss survivor ever invited to speak to at the National Institute of Mental Health. Her second book, Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk, was published August 2021. A UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, Anne Moss currently lives in Richmond, VA with her husband. Her surviving son, Richard, is a screenwriter and filmmaker in LA.

In response to the deaths of students who lost their lives to suicide, Westlake High School was in search of a tier 2 intervention to help with student social and emotional wellness. They realized that they needed to form a community-school partnership to help address financial barriers. In answer to the obstacles they were facing, Westlake decided to partner with the IM Foundation to bring a wellness center to their school. The IM Wellness Center at Westlake has been open for over a year. The data is showing that the solution is proving to be a solid tier 2 intervention to help students learn valuable skills to manage their own emotional health. Join the partnership team as they present their journey and experience of creating a wellness center in a public high school, how it has impacted their student body, the data that supports its effectiveness and how other schools can have the same positive impact on their campus.

This session will be of particular interest to educators and administrators, but is also appropriate for all audiences.

This presentation will focus on a process for readying therapists to ‘sit with the intensity of emotion’ that comes when clients are experiencing the loss of a loved one from suicide. Through a process of training where therapists can harness their own inner struggles and discomfort to facilitate better connections, assessments and interventions with clients - therapists can become more prepared. Participants in this session will reflect on their own ideas of suicide and grief, along with what it could mean for them to ‘hold space for grief’ in an intentional and effective way.

This session will be particularly helpful for individuals with at least an intermediate understanding and experience level of therapeutic counseling.

“My Life is Worth Living” is the first animated web series for teen suicide prevention. Designed by a team of doctors, educators and story-tellers, it shares the stories of five teens experiencing suicide risks including LGBTQ+, depression, abuse, homelessness, bullying, substance abuse, and trauma. The series is available globally at no cost. Join us for a screening with the executive producer and learn how to utilize and share this series and the accompanying curriculum.

This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Participants are encouraged to attend either the Virtual Exhibit Fair, or the in-person Fair during this time frame. Virtual Exhibit Fair vendors will remain open until November 16th at 5 pm (the full conference time frame) via the conference portal. The Fair will feature information regarding services and resources offered by our participating vendors and sponsors. Participants can stroll through the various ‘booths’ – and enter those that interest them by clicking on the ‘booth’ name.

Graduate Student Posters will be presented in person. A selection of pre-recorded posters will be available for virtual attendees in the participant portal.

Note: Inclusion of vendors in the Exhibit Fair does not constitute or imply UVU’s endorsement, warranty, or recommendation of information, products, or services of the foregoing; products, services, URLS, or links to external sites referred to, presented, or displayed.

Dr. Rheeda Walker is an award-winning Professor of psychology, a fellow in the American Psychological Association and a leading scholar who has published more than 60 scientific papers on African American mental health, suicide risk, and emotional resilience. Dr. Walker's impact has extended beyond academia with the release of her first book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, which lays out practical strategies for addressing psychological well-being. Dr. Walker’s charismatic approach and practical vision for addressing life challenges has led to numerous appearances on Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club radio show, and NPR, among others.

This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Join Detective Langs as she discusses the impact first responders can have on those experiencing suicidal ideation. She will outline the ongoing efforts that the Orem Police Department to help the community, and the results they are witnessing.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide in LGBTQ populations, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves – our loved ones – and those in the community safe.

This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Participants will explore an example of multi-tiered approach efforts from prevention to postvention. Alpine School District will discuss working collaboratively to support individual student needs, while understanding the need for parent engagement within suicide prevention efforts.

This session is appropriate for all audiences.

This presentation will review strategies for suicide prevention – starting with priority #1 – Better Screening. Detecting suicide risk is not difficult – but it does require a caring, informed individual to ask a few critical questions. Dr. Robinson will also outline information on how to be a better support to those struggling, and how to increase the protective factors against suicide.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Join Taryn as she provides guidance on supporting someone with ‘lived experience of suicide’ while also taking care of your own well-being. Throughout the session you will hear the term ‘lived experience’; this refers to individuals who have made a suicide attempt – or who experience suicidal thoughts. She will discuss understanding suicide, the recovery process, responding to a crisis, making the environment safe and much more.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Anne Moss Rogers is a certified suicide prevention trainer, TEDx storyteller, NAMI Virginia board member, and the award-winning author of Diary of a Broken Mind. After her 20-year-old son, Charles died by suicide June 5, 2015, Anne Moss chronicled her family’s tragedy in a newspaper article that went viral, and her blog, Emotionally Naked, has reached millions.

She has been featured in the New York Times and was the first suicide loss survivor ever invited to speak to at the National Institute of Mental Health. Her second book, Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk, through Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Publishing brand, was published August 2021. A UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, Anne Moss currently lives in Richmond, VA with her husband. Her surviving son, Richard, is a screenwriter and filmmaker in LA.

Dr. Rheeda Walker is an award-winning Professor of psychology, a fellow in the American Psychological Association and a leading scholar who has published more than 60 scientific papers on African American mental health, suicide risk, and emotional resilience. Dr. Walker's impact has extended beyond academia with the release of her first book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, which lays out practical strategies for addressing psychological well-being. Dr. Walker’s charismatic approach and practical vision for addressing life challenges has led to numerous appearances on Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club radio show, and NPR, among others.

Rebecca Andreasen received a master’s degree in Public Health from BYU. She is the grant manager of Project AWARE (Advancing Resiliency and Wellness in Education) and co-chairs the ASD (Alpine School District) Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Jennifer has worked 27 years as a Utah Educator with seven of those years in administration. Heading up Wellness at Westlake High School and serving on the Social, Emotional and Wellness leadership team with Alpine District; she leads her district in bringing forth solutions like Wellness Centers and more.

Melissa Bostwick is a K-12 Director of Social and Emotional Well-being. She received a master’s degree in School Psychology from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from BYU. She endorses prevention by supporting a district-wide social and emotional well-being approach for students and adults.

Paul has over 25 years in leadership and strategy. As the founder and Chief Impact Officer of IM, Paul leads a team of professionals from K-12, Higher Ed, and Social Work to bring forth the most comprehensive solutions into education to address the social-emotional health of the rising generation.

As a dedicated advocate, Taryn shares her story and passion to give hope and educate our communities about suicide. She is a founding member of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and currently serves as the Area Director for Utah and Nevada. Taryn is a passionate advocate for change and has been featured in both US News and The Huffington Post. She has testified before Congressional Members in Washington DC to increase awareness and support for better access to mental health services and to promote healthy discussions about suicide. Taryn has used her lived experience and the loss of her father to suicide as a catalyst for change. She is widely respected throughout Utah for her hard work and dedication to saving lives. Taryn is a graduate of Utah Valley University with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and hopes to be accepted into the MSW program at UVU.

Josie is originally from Montana, and she still holds to those roots for her grounding. She is a parent of two amazing girls. Josie is a proud US Air Force Transgender Veteran. Josie knew at the tender age of 7 that she was a girl and even had the courage to tell her mother, who was not accepting. After fighting and struggling with who she was for the majority of her life, she transitioned and came out in 2016. In 2018 she had confirmation surgery at the University of Utah Health as their first-ever confirmation surgery. Josie believes in equality for all and stands up and fights for this. Since she came out in August 2016, she has been sharing her story of being a survivor and what she has lived throughout her life via Real Talk with Josie, a podcast. She hopes to help people find strength, confidence, understanding, and how not to let anyone tell you who you are or what you are worth. Josie now serves as the co-chair for the American Foundation Suicide Prevention Utah Chapter. She also works with the Zero Suicide Initiative at the University of Utah. As an attempt and loss survivor, she shares her lived experience to save lives, bring awareness and education of mental health and suicide issues.

Dr. Kim Jones received a master’s degree in School Counseling Psychology and a PhD in Educational Leadership from BYU. She currently works as an Educational Services Director in the areas of social and emotional well-being and response to intervention.

Det. Langs has served as a police officer for just over 4 years. For the last year and a half Det. Langs has served with the Orem Police Department. In January 2021, she began serving in the Mental Health Response Team within Orem PD.

Dr. Panos is a licensed psychologist, social worker, and marriage and family therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavior Science at Utah Valley University.

Dr. Patrick Panos is a licensed neuropsychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience in mental health practice. He is currently a professor at the University of Utah and specializes in community-based interventions and outcome research.

Andrea Paxman is the Director of Counseling and provides professional development and support to elementary and secondary school counselors in Alpine School District. She obtained a master’s degree in School Counseling Psychology from BYU.

Andy Proctor, is a PhD candidate studying the psychology of adult friendship. He is also a digital marketing professional and is the Director of Marketing at the Cook Center for Human Connection. With his foot in both the academic and marketing worlds, he has a unique edge as both a marketing expert and a wellbeing thought leader. Andy is the host of the More Happy Life podcast with over 150 episodes interviewing well-being experts, therapists, researchers, TED speakers, Olympians, New York Times bestsellers, and social media influencers. His podcast has been mentioned in the New York Times, Fox Business, ABC News and other media outlets nationwide. He has been a special guest speaker for city libraries, men’s groups, podcasts, church groups, YouTube channels, and television stations to talk about the science of human flourishing. He is a published author and his writing on mindfulness and the science of well-being have been featured in both academic and religious publications and podcasts worldwide. Andy is a board member of TEDxBYU and is the co-chair of the Utah Positive Psychology Association.

Dr. John Robbins serves as Core Faculty for the MS CMHC Program for Walden University. He is also an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Reid Robison, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of Novamind, a mental health services organization brining innovative evidence-based treatments to clinics across Utah. He has led over 200 clinical trials in psychiatry, including studying ketamine as a novel strategy for treatment-resistant depression. Reid is founder of the Polizzi Free Clinic, and adjunct faculty at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.

Jennifer Morgan Smith has served as a clinician in the mental health field for 25 years, focusing on the power of connections and remaining open to learning continually. She is also an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Lori Thorn is a Student Services Director on the social and emotional well-being team with a focus on crisis response and suicide prevention. She obtained a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from BYU.

For Gary Lee Price, uplifting, helping others, and joining hands with others in brotherhood and sisterhood are essential parts of his life and work. Through his art, Gary found a life path of positivity. Despite a childhood of abuse, domestic violence and the loss of both parents at a young age due to murder suicide, Gary forged ahead determined to find the beauty in life. His passion for art and belief that art empowers and lifts the human spirit has only grown stronger. Blessed with many generous and selfless mentors, his dream is to pass those gifts on to others.

Gary’s sculptures are collected and installed in thousands of public and private collections all over the world. His sculptures are also frequently purchased and donated to help support great causes locally and internationally. “I hope I can assist the world in visualizing a place where fences and boundaries, both real and imagined, are non-existent; a place where bias and prejudice are long forgotten; and finally, a place where acts of kindness, mutual respect, and love are everyday happenings,” he said.

Gary resides in Buckeye, Arizona with his beautiful wife, Leesa Clark Price. Together they have 9 children and 15 very energetic grandchildren. View Gary’s work at www.garyleeprice.com and www.statueofresponsibility.com.

While suicide is a significant public health problem in Utah, it is also preventable. Unfortunately, the problem is often addressed in silos, with different groups focusing on different parts of the problem. To more effectively reduce the rising rate of suicide, Utah’s public health officials brought together key partners: private companies, religious organizations, health care systems, and academics—and combined their knowledge and influence with the reach of a media campaign. This presentation will focus on the power of these partnerships, the collaborative development of a suicide prevention campaign, and the importance of evaluation.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Join Dr. Staley as he leads a panel discussion with experts in mental health, suicide, and suicide prevention. The panel will provide a brief update on trends in suicide morbidity and mortality during COVID19. Additionally, the panel will provide an overview of how the mental health system has adapted and changed during COVID19, and what gaps remain. Also included will be information on how local health care systems have adapted to meet the needs of individuals seeking mental health care during COVID19. Participants in this session will be able to submit questions to the panel for response. We anticipate an engaging conversation between panelists and audience members.

This workshop will be particularly helpful for individuals with at least an intermediate understanding and experience level, but is appropriate for all audiences. 

Participants are encouraged to attend the Virtual Exhibit Fair during this time frame, but the Fair will remain open throughout the entire day for your convenience. The Fair will feature information regarding services and resources offered by our participating vendors and sponsors. Participants can stroll through the various ‘booths’ – and enter those that interest them by clicking on the ‘booth’ name. 

Note: Inclusion of vendors in the Exhibit Fair does not constitute or imply UVU’s endorsement, warranty, or recommendation of information, products, or services of the foregoing; products, services, URLS, or links to external sites referred to, presented, or displayed.

John (Jack) Jordan is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he has specialized in work with survivors of suicide and other traumatic losses for more than 40 years. He has served as the Clinical Consultant for the Grief Support Services of the Samaritans in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Professional Advisor to the Loss and Healing Council of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). He also served as the Co-Chair of the Survivors of Suicide Loss Task Force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. In 2015, this taskforce released postvention guidelines for the United States, titled Responding to Grief, Trauma, and Distress After Suicide: U.S. National Guidelines.

Jack has provided training nationally and internationally for professional caregivers and has helped to lead many healing workshops for suicide loss survivors. He is the co-author of four books: “After Suicide Loss: Coping with Your Grief – 2nd Edition” (2015 – self-published); “Grief After Suicide: Understanding the Consequences and Caring for the Survivors” (Routledge, 2011), “Devastating Losses: How Parents Cope with the Death of a Child to Suicide or Drugs” (Springer, 2012); and “Attachment Informed Grief Therapy” (Routledge, 2016).

Jack’s presentation today is titled "The Impact of Suicide Loss on Survivors". He will discuss the emotional impact of suicide on individuals, common reactions to suicide loss, and why these losses may be different from loss due to other causes of death.

Join Kimberly as she leads participants in a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ cultural competency training, focusing on the unique considerations for the LGBTQ+ population and suicidality. She will particularly discuss local cultural impact particularly with an LDS/Mormon informed subgroup.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Today’s presentation will discuss ethics regarding suicide and suicide prevention. With a goal of enhancing understanding of both state and national professional and ethical standards; Michael and Marianna will explore a variety of topics pertaining to the issues surrounding ethics involved in suicide and suicide prevention. They will be discussing a variety of ethical dilemmas, while also reviewing key issues and sparking new ways to think about this topic. Presenters aim to facilitate in participants gaining new perspectives on underlying assumptions about care, delivery and clinical competence. They will take a closer look at prevention, intervention and postvention – all the while, paying special attention to the role of clinicians and addressing the code of ethics they adhere to. Michael and Marianna believe that mental health professionals must aim to become more aware of the differing factors (i.e. ethics) associated with suicide and suicide prevention.

This session will be of interest to professionals with an intermediate or moderate level of experience. 

Kathie Supiano, PhD, LCSW, F-GSA, FT, APHSW-C is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, and the director of Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program at the University of Utah College of Nursing. Dr. Supiano’ s research is in clinical interventions in complicated grief, prevention of adverse grief outcomes, suicide survivorship, overdose grief and prison hospice. She has been a practicing clinical social worker and psychotherapist for over 35 years. Dr. Supiano is a Fellow in the Gerontological Society of America, and a Fellow of Thanatology. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network, the Board of Directors of Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker Certification Board, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care. She received her PhD in Social Work at the University of Utah as a John A. Hartford Foundation Doctoral Fellow.

Kathie will close out our conference program for this year discussing grief and comfort as related to suicidality.

This session is appropriate for all audiences. 

Craig Miller is an author, speaker, and suicide attempt survivor. For years he struggled with OCD, extreme anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. After a suicide attempt at age 20, Craig became dedicated to understanding what led him to such a decision, and more importantly, how he could gain control of himself and his life to ensure it would never happen again. He published his first book in 2012 titled, This is How it Feels: A Memoir of Attempting Suicide and Finding Life. Craig and his story have been featured in dozens of media outlets, including the documentary, A Voice at the Table – and the full-length film ‘The S Word.’

Resilience is a necessary and valuable tool for reducing suicide risk. Come and join internationally renowned speaker, social worker, and author, Christian Moore, as he leads an insightful discussion into discovering and developing resiliency. During this session, participants will be introduced to four sources of resilience that help people look at problems differently. These four sources are: Relational Resilience: The ability to draw motivation from the support of others and others’ dependence on you. Street Resilience: Using disrespect, discrimination, and mistakes as fuel to propel you forward in life. Resource Resilience: The recognition that resilience can be increased by accessing seen and unseen resources around you. Rock Bottom Resilience: The belief in your ability, even when you’re at your lowest point, to change your circumstances, combat hopelessness and fight on.

Researchers have consistently found that people with disabilities experience increased rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors relative to those without disabilities. One possible reason for this alarming trend is the impact of social attitudes towards disability, particularly social attitudes toward suicide and disability. Research has found that people tend to view suicide as more “understandable”, “justified”, or “permissible” when a hypothetical suicidal individual has a disability than when they do not. Such social attitudes may need to be directly addressed and countered when working with individuals with disabilities who are experiencing suicidal ideation or have engaged in suicidal behaviors. This presentation will discuss these issues and provide evidence-based strategies for disability-affirmative gatekeeping, crisis and post-crisis support, and longer-term clinical support to individuals with disabilities who are experiencing suicidality.

It has been recommended by the American Psychiatric Association that, when psychotherapy is not progressing or when unipolar depression is severe, psychotherapy should be combined with pharmacotherapy. This is particularly true if one has suicidal ideation. The practice has been widely studied, and it has been found that the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is more effective than either alone. Come and learn about the efficacy, uses, evidence-based treatment guidelines, side effects, and new treatments available. A question and answer session will be included, as well.

Join Lori and Carrie as they present an overview of the Crisis Response Action Plan developed in Alpine School District. In the event of a crisis (death of a student or teacher, etc.), there is a crisis response that happens at both the school and district levels simultaneously. Strength comes from this team approach. The presenters will share the unique structures in place within the Alpine School District, that have built the capacity of all service providers, expanding crisis response within the district.

During this session, participants will discuss why grief after suicide loss is different. Taryn will share common themes that survivors grapple with after suicide loss, as well as post-traumatic growth after loss – and when to seek professional help.

Over the past two decades, a number of studies have shown a relationship between (ACEs) and worse adult physical and mental health, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicide attempts. Less well understood is how advantageous childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) may lead to better adult health, even in the presence of adversity. Recently, a team of researchers from Brigham Young University and United Way examined how counter-ACEs and ACEs affect adult physical and mental health. This presentation will cover three main areas. 1) An overview of the results from the recent BYU counter-ACE study (and its application to suicidality); 2) A discussion of how these results can be applied to practice settings (e.g., county health departments, counseling, and therapy, non-profits, etc.) and in the community; and 3) Provide a synthesis of some best practice efforts to reduce ACEs and increase counter-ACEs. Ultimately, participants will come away from the session with an understanding of practical solutions to addressing adverse childhood experiences and a hopeful approach to reducing mental illnesses and suicidality.

Koki and Sierra met five years ago during her 9th-grade year. She shares her powerful story as an adult survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, a suicide loss survivor, and a suicide attempt survivor. Her message is one of resilience, hope, and recovery. The presentation covers lessons learned through both the lens of Sierra and her family - and Koki, a mental health professional. In this Q&A format, Sierra and Koki will cover topics such as coping strategies, help-seeking, clinical work with loss survivors, trauma and suicide, and overcoming barriers for treatment.    

We spend at least 40 hours each week at work. It’s almost a ‘home away from home.’ When we’re struggling with emotional mental or environmental issues in our personal lives, we don’t leave it at the door when we get to work. So how do we handle it? The struggle is real, and the suicide rates prove this with working adult men having the highest rates of suicide. With that in mind, what can be done in the workplace? Come learn what tools are available and some methods to help address suicide prevention in the workplace.

Anna S. Mueller, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Indiana University. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, Mueller’s research examines (1) the mechanisms that drive suicide contagion; (2) the social roots of adolescent suicide; and (3) the experience of suicide bereavement in adolescence. Her research on youth suicide has won numerous awards for its contribution to knowledge, including the Eliot Friedson Outstanding Publication Award from the American Sociological Association. Her research can be read in the American Sociological Review, Social Science & Medicine, the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, the American Journal of Public Health, among others. For more information on Dr. Mueller, visit her website: www.annasmueller.com

In late 2015 through 2016, there were a number of highly publicized deaths by suicide by young gay men (ages 17-28) who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their deaths were linked by media outlets, at least in part, to the conflict between their sexual and religious identities. Those events re-sparked the debate about the potentially harmful role that religion can play in suicidality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and same-sex attracted (LGBQ/SSA) persons. However, to date, no quantitative empirical research has been published on the prevalence or predictors of suicidality among Latter-day Saint LGBQ/SSA individuals. In this presentation, Mr. McGraw will discuss how religion can be both a protective and risk factor for queer folk. He will then describe some of the religious protective and risk factors and recommendations for clinicians, as they relate to these populations – and what we STILL don’t know.

When someone dies by suicide, their family, loved ones, and communities are often forever changed. There is growing evidence that suicides also shake schools, workplaces, places of worship, and communities. The State of Utah is in the process of developing a Postvention Plan for communities to utilize after a suicide death occurs. In this session, Amy and Allison will discuss how good postvention is good prevention, strategies to reduce risk factors, and how to promote healing in communities.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US and one of the top health care priorities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the etiology of suicidal behaviors remains difficult to identify, research shows that psychiatric symptoms and chronic illness relate to increased suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and death by suicide. During this presentation, the presenters will discuss three studies examining co-morbidities related to increased suicide risk within the veteran population: aggression, anxiety sensitivity, and chronic pain.

ABFT is an empirically supported treatment successfully applied to depressed and suicidal adolescents and several other difficult-to-treat populations. This presentation will begin with a brief introduction to ABFT and its five treatment tasks: reframing the problem relationally, building an alliance with the patient, building an alliance with the parents, resolving core conflicts, and supporting autonomy Following this, the presenter will show video demonstrating the tasks and (time permitting) engage the participants in a discussion about barriers and specific challenges they may have.

During this session, Kristopher will present information on working with Transgender and other LGBTQ populations in the school system. While solutions may differ by district, any compassionate discussion must begin with correct information. This presentation highlights the importance of the proper gender etiquette for transgender persons to prevent the worsening of dysphoria, and create awareness of the various statistics on suicidal ideation according to gender identity and social stresses. An overview of the types of transition (internal, social, and medical) is given, along with information about ‘choice’ regarding trans identities and the basics of speaking about trans issues to different audiences.

As a dedicated advocate, Taryn shares her story and passion for giving hope and educating our communities about suicide. She is a survivor of her attempts, as well as a survivor of suicide loss - losing her father, Terry Aiken on October 5, 2002. Taryn is a founding member of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and currently serves as the Area Director for Utah and Nevada. She is a certified safeTALK, CONNECT Postvention, and Mental Health First Aid Trainer, facilitating hundreds of seminars to many different groups. Taryn is a passionate advocate for change and has been featured in both US News and The Huffington Post. She has testified before Congressional Members in Washington DC to increase awareness and support for better access to mental health services and to promote healthy discussions about suicide. She is widely respected throughout Utah for her hard work and dedication to saving lives. Taryn is a recent graduate of Utah Valley University with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

Suicide impacts every community in Utah. Preliminary data from the Utah Department of Health showed more than 600 Utahans died from suicide in 2017. Youth suicides increased 141.3% since 2015, compared to an increase of 23.5% nationally – and is now the leading cause of death for Utah youth aged 10-17. We, as a community, all play a part in decreasing these preventable deaths, and none of us can do it alone. The way in which we talk about suicide is a powerful tool that can either increase risk among vulnerable individuals or promote resiliency, encourage help-seeking, publicize prevention successes, and encourage actions that help prevent suicide. Join Jenny and Kim as they lead participants through the do’s and don’ts of suicide prevention messaging. They will walk through case studies of Utah-specific media coverage of suicide deaths, and share information on how to best communicate about suicide to positively affect the behavior of individuals who may be considering suicide.

Across nations, cultures, and methods, lethal means safety procedures are associated with significant reductions in overall suicide rates. This presentation will provide an introduction on a means safety counseling approach following four general phases: engaging (i.e., establishing a relationship with the patient), focusing (i.e., raising the issue of means safety in a nonthreatening, nonjudgmental way), evoking (i.e., eliciting the patient’s reasons for enhancing safety), and planning (i.e., identifying options for increasing safety). The training will also focus on the use of open-ended questions aimed at guiding patients to identify and discuss their reasons for engaging in means safety, which reduces the likelihood of experiencing power struggles or defensiveness. This breakout will provide a discussion on the range of options, including the use of gun locks, gun safes, and/or complete removal of the method from the home.

This workshop is designed to offer clinicians an intensive systemic perspective on treating youth with suicidal ideation or behaviors. The workshop will provide strategies for suicide assessment and prevention interventions with the individual client, parents/family, and community. Case scenarios will be provided to deepen participants' understanding and skill application. Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions related to the challenges they have had while working with suicidal teens and engage in an open dialogue on strategies for overcoming barriers that often arise while treating this population.

Join Carrie as she introduces a highly effective intervention and treatment technique, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which is used to successfully treat many of the issues and symptoms experienced in suicidal ideation. Those surviving loss due to suicide can also benefit, as can those experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental conditions. ART is a form of psychotherapy, with roots in existing evidence-based therapies – but shown to achieve benefits more rapidly (usually within 1-5 sessions). Participants will learn what ART is and how it can benefit clients.

Join Sam as she presents current research into possible patterns that have been indicated to correlate to higher rates of suicide, and how these patterns may pertain to the Mountain States. She will also discuss broad categories of risk factors and state-level interventions that the public and policymakers should consider when formulating policies pertaining to suicide.

Caring contacts and safety planning are two brief and effective suicide prevention interventions that can be implemented in a variety of settings: schools, healthcare, counseling, peer support, etc. This presentation will introduce the research that shows the efficacy of these two strategies and will provide instruction, tips, and practice to prepare participants to do these interventions well.

Individuals who experience chronic pain report 2-3 times as much suicidal ideation as those without chronic pain. It has been reported that 17% to 66% of individuals with chronic pain will have serious suicidal thoughts (Edwards, et al. 2006; Cheatle, 2011). Participants will be guided through recent research conducted by the Salt Lake City VA, showing an association between chronic pain and suicide behavior – which is partially mediated by social connectedness. This research may help inform treatment for suicidal behaviors for veterans (and others) with pain.

Michael J. Staley is the Suicide Prevention Research Coordinator and Psychological Autopsy Examiner at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. Staley's current research focuses on 10 to 17-year-old Utahans who died by suicide in the previous two years. This research aims to develop a specific set of risk and protective factors that will inform and guide prevention efforts in schools, communities, and throughout the state.

This session will explore the correlation between the prevention of substance abuse and suicide. As we work to reduce these negative outcomes, Kim and Heidi will examine shared risk and protective factors and the importance of working upstream. This approach will enable us to create opportunities for effective and sustainable collaborative strategies. This session will explore the correlation between the prevention of substance abuse and suicide. As we work to reduce these negative outcomes, Kim and Heidi will examine shared risk and protective factors and the importance of working upstream. This approach will enable us to create opportunities for effective and sustainable collaborative strategies.

This research-based presentation will look at the global rates of suicide by country and the effectiveness of the latest, new technology-assisted strategies to prevent suicide. The many types of technological interventions will be discussed, and their outcomes evaluated. From reaching out to a depressed Australian Aboriginal Elder to saving a young stressed-out high school student in Seoul, the use of new technologies to address this serious problem has some interesting results.

Despite persistent social discrimination and stigma, LGBTQ people continue to find ways to both survive and thrive. In this session, we’ll explore common LGBTQ strengths and how helping professionals can cue into them as a resource for suicide prevention. Strengths such as “chosen families,” post-traumatic growth in compassion/sensitivity for others, a queer perspective to see things differently, the resiliency of sexual orientation, and the power of telling our authentic stories, will all be discussed. Together we’ll then take a look at commonly experienced traumas, rejections, and losses within LGBTQ individual social support systems and identities. We’ll then explore how queer strengths can be applied at such times to help LGBTQ individuals better navigate trauma and recover from losses. Additional therapeutic interventions that can also help facilitate mental health and suicide prevention will then also be explained, such as Family Therapy informed by Family Acceptance Project Research, Dispelling Internalized Stigma, and Positive Identity integration of being LGBTQ as well as EMDR therapy to address symptoms of spiritual trauma.

Adolescent self-injury is a serious issue. It is the leading predictor of borderline personality issues and suicide completion. Dr. White will share the results of her recent study contrasting mothers of self-injuring depressed adolescents with a non-clinical group in the areas of emotional regulation, parenting, and conflict discussion. The study findings are contextualized in terms of coercion and biosocial theory and contribute to social work knowledge of human development – particularly theories emphasizing environmental factors of psychopathology.

Suicide is an international tragedy, and communities around the world are pulling together to prevent its devastating impact. As a psychologist, mental health advocate, and survivor of her brother’s suicide, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas sees the problem of suicide from many perspectives. In her presentation, “Be a Shining Light of Hope,” Dr. Spencer-Thomas offers participants inspiration and a solid understanding of the personal and community issues surrounding suicide as she guides listeners through her journey from bereavement to activist. Positioning suicide as a social justice issue, she empowers everyday citizens to get involved in the “suicide prevention movement.” By giving many examples of community-level action, she teaches participants strategies that can shift culture, increase help-seeking, and ultimately save lives. She leaves the audience with three core elements for creating change: start with yourself, instill hope, and engage a wider circle in the efforts of suicide prevention.

Join Kim as she discusses the role of means reduction in suicide prevention. She will discuss the role of restricting access to lethal means, and how to openly discuss the removal of means as part of comprehensive safety/treatment planning. Participants will also learn examples of how to partner with the firearm community in suicide prevention activities. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Emily will share foundational information on the general scope of suicide, the current research on prevention, and what each of us can do to help. This is a perfect introductory session for those who want a basic understanding and context. Participants will learn what suicide is, who it affects, the risk and warning signs, and what steps can be taken to prevent it. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Between 2013 and 2015, Utah ranked 7th in the US for drug poisoning deaths. Every month, 24 Utahans die from prescription opioid overdoses. This session will review current efforts to combat this epidemic. Heather and Meghan will help participants understand overdose and how to prevent, recognize, and respond to an overdose situation. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

This extended session workshop (2 hours – ending at 12:15 pm), will enhance participants’ knowledge about crisis response planning (CRP) and increase their ability to administer the CRP with at-risk individuals. The workshop will provide information about suicide, the development and empirical support of CRP intervention, and include a demonstration. Participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of how to respond to an individual’s endorsement of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, how to assist them in identifying when they need help, and what to do when they recognize those triggers. 

This is an EXTENDED WORKSHOP SESSION lasting 2 hours (10:15 am – 12:30 pm). Please be advised that attendance throughout the entire workshop is recommended. This workshop is appropriate for all audiences but particularly helpful for those professionals seeking foundational information.

In this presentation, Dr. Spencer-Thomas will highlight several strategies that are considered best practices in suicide prevention, including “upstream” approaches of building resiliency and mental health literacy, “midstream” approaches of early identification and referral, and “downstream” approaches such as means restriction and crisis response. Participants will be introduced to at least three key strategies necessary to a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, and best practices for responding to a suicide crisis. Dr. Spencer-Thomas will also compare a ‘fear-based’ approach to suicide intervention, with a collaborative and empowering approach. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Identifying at-risk youth and taking steps to mitigate or eliminate those risks is a crucial element of suicide prevention. However, national studies find that only 40-50% of mental health profession graduate students receive formal training in suicide risk assessment and management – and nearly 90% of mental health professionals would like to improve their competence in this area. This presentation will highlight the strengths and opportunities of current suicide assessment approaches, as well as limitations and weaknesses. Dr. Giles and Ms. Attallah will also discuss trainings available through Intermountain HealthCare, and seek input from participants on perceived training gaps and how to most effectively fill them. 
This session is most appropriate for mental health professionals with an advanced/practiced level of understanding.

After a first attempt at suicide at age 19, Jacqueline survived another three attempts over the next 25 years. Why did it take so long to receive help, and what can we know and do to prevent this type of treatment delay? Join Jacqueline – the Executive Director for Latino Behavioral Health Services - as she takes you through her own story of survival, and analyzes what was done – and what could have been done – to prevent further deterioration of her own mental health. What were the systems involved doing that wasn’t helpful – and what should have been done instead? Why didn’t the support of medical, ecclesiastic, and family systems work – and what finally did? Recovery is real, and it can work – but does it have to take longer for Latino or LBGTQ populations to get there? 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

This extended session workshop (2 hours – ending at 12:15 pm), will enhance participants’ knowledge about crisis response planning (CRP) and increase their ability to administer the CRP with at-risk individuals. The workshop will provide information about suicide, the development and empirical support of CRP intervention, and include a demonstration. Participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of how to respond to an individual’s endorsement of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, how to assist them in identifying when they need help, and what to do when they recognize those triggers. 

This is an EXTENDED WORKSHOP SESSION lasting 2 hours (10:15 am – 12:30 pm). Please be advised that attendance throughout the entire workshop is recommended. This workshop is appropriate for all audiences but particularly helpful for those professionals seeking foundational information.

J.C. Graham is the director of Crisis Services at Utah Valley University. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Utah. J.C. earned her master of social work degree from George Williams College of Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. She received a bachelor of social work degree from Utah State University. She also teaches social work courses and loves mentoring future social workers. J.C. will share her very personal journey with conference participants, and relate the efforts made to help her that did – and did not – work. She lives by the motto; the best revenge is living life well. She is indeed a survivor – and is truly living a life filled with meaning and purpose. Her message of hope, mixed with a clear understanding of therapies and methods used to address suicidal ideology, provides participants motivation to be strong and never, ever give up.

Lived experience and peer support are essential to the healing process. Both Ginger and Brian are not only survivors of people who died from suicide but have survived their own suicide attempts. They believe in recovery for all people. Through their personal journey and struggle, they have come to find peer support to be one of the biggest assets to people having suicidal thoughts and actions. They will discuss what Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) do in the state and the vital role they play. By sharing their stories, they hope to help others believe in the possibility (and reality) of recovery. 

This session may be of interest to all audience members but will be most effective for those with an advanced/ proficient/practiced level of experience.

High rates of mental health disorders and suicide are well documented among returning Veterans – particularly those in rural areas who may not have appropriate health or mental health care treatment options. The VITAL Program is uniquely poised to serve as a mechanism for effective suicide prevention. By providing outreach from one veteran to another, the program can break down the obstacles and stigma sometimes associated with help-seeking. Veterans are given access to resources on local campuses and are also provided mental health treatment. VITAL can address the risk factors for suicide preemptively by proactively reaching out to veterans, and helping them to overcome obstacles in their path to success. Dr. Ahern will review this program, and how participants can utilize it for their loved ones and/or veterans/clients they may work with. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

This presentation will discuss the higher risk of suicide in substance users and discuss comorbidity with opiate use disorders and suicide rates. VaRonica will overview what defines substance use disorders, and the rates of dual diagnosis. She will cover information on the prevalence of opioid misuse and use disorders in the nation, and in the state of Utah specifically. Participants will learn about correlations between those who attempt/complete suicide – and those with substance use disorders – with information on treatment options and evidence-based practices that can be used to treat those at risk in both areas. 
This session will be most effective for professionals with an intermediate/moderate level of experience.

Adolescent self-injury is a serious issue. It is the leading predictor of borderline personality issues and suicide completion. Dr. White will share the results of her recent study contrasting mothers of self-injuring depressed adolescents with a non-clinical group in the areas of emotional regulation, parenting, and conflict discussion. The study findings are contextualized in terms of coercion and biosocial theory and contribute to social work knowledge of human development – particularly theories emphasizing environmental factors of psychopathology. 
This session will be most effective for professionals with a proficient/advanced/practiced level of experience.

Join Utah State Senator Dan Thatcher and Representative Steve Eliason for an overview of current state efforts regarding Suicide Prevention. Come and learn about future efforts in our state, federal updates, future legislation, and the concept of an EMT equivalent certification in behavioral and mental health. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. 
This session is appropriate for all audiences.

Major General Jeff Burton was appointed Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard in October 2012. Burton is responsible for the readiness and training of 7,300 Soldiers and Airmen. He commanded the 1457th Engineer Combat Battalion from 2002 to 2005, during which time his unit served in Iraq and participated in the initial ground war, conducting IED-defeat and route-clearance missions. Burton attended Brigham Young University's Reserve Officer Training Corps, where he commissioned in 1984 as the distinguished military graduate. In 1986, he earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the State University of New York. He has since earned two master's degrees: one in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix and the other in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. General Burton will share his experience of serving in the military and of being a survivor of suicide loss. He will discuss why suicide prevention has significant meaning in his life, and what he hopes for in the future of the military and our communities.

While there is no single cause for suicide, identifying warning signs and/or risk factors is a task that researchers and clinicians have been working on for decades. Notably, one of the main distinctions between a risk factor for suicide and a warning sign is the temporal nature of risk; warning signs serve to identify those who are at imminent risk of killing themselves, risk factors serve to identify those who might be at long-term risk, or vulnerable to suicidality. Further, warning signs are visible signals to outside individuals rather than internal symptoms. It is important to consider the presence of both risk factors and warning signs in the assessment of suicide risk. This presentation will cover risks factors and warning signs as they pertain to military and veteran populations, delve deeper into using psychological disorders as a risk factor, discuss the common myth that military deployments are a risk factor for suicide and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (evidence suggests that it does not seem contrary to common belief), introduce the Fluid Vulnerability Theory of suicide risk assessment, and present statistics on military/veteran suicide screening as informed by a number of studies and clinical trials conducted across the country by the National Center for Veteran Studies at the University of Utah.

Research into the phenomenon of suicide continues to expand our understanding regarding specific contributors. Recent research has explored the implications of maladaptive perfectionism as one of those contributors. In some, perfectionistic pressures reveal vulnerabilities that can contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This relationship will be explored in the presentation. The effects of internal perfectionistic pressure on high-achieving students will also be addressed. Participants will be invited to explore signs of at-risk students and how to approach them.

David Foster Wallace, a noted author and public intellectual, once offered a powerful metaphor for compassionately relating to those who suffer unto suicide. He likens the daily pain of living with severe depression to standing in a burning high rise with no escape except for jumping, and the terror both options (the fire and the jump) entail. The presenters will respectfully share his perspective and discuss the validity of what he is saying when compassionately relating to suicidal clients. They will gently critique his perspective and note that sometimes when we suffer, we set more fires for ourselves than those just being in the world provides. This session will offer a mindset for therapists to teach their clients about coping with the fires of suffering incumbent with being and how they can stop adding to the fire with the ways they think and relate to others.

For a child, the death of a parent has both immediate and long-lasting implications and brings with it intense sadness, loss of nurturing support, and multiple life changes. Parent death by suicide is particularly difficult. It can leave a surviving child especially vulnerable and at risk for internalizing behaviors, lower self-esteem, higher levels of anger and shame, depressive symptoms, and an increased risk for self-harm. While there are abundant resources for children experiencing grief, minimal practical resources exist specifically for children who grieve their parent’s suicide—despite the significant need. Suzanne will discuss her current research study investigating which resources, assistance, and actions were most helpful following a parent’s suicide. She will summarize and share the information discovered to assist parents, psychologists, educators, and other helping professionals to more fully understand the childhood experiences of those bereaved by their parent’s suicide.

This session will discuss the Zero Suicide Initiative both as National Push and as a Utah initiative. A key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and a priority of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the Zero Suicide Initiative states that suicide deaths for individuals under care within health and behavioral health systems are preventable. It presents both a bold goal and an aspirational challenge. The programmatic approach of Zero Suicide is based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through cracks in a fragmented and sometimes distracted health care system. A systematic approach to quality improvement in these settings is both available and necessary but cannot be borne solely by the practitioners providing clinical care. Zero Suicide requires a system-wide approach to improve outcomes and close gaps. Join Kimberly and Taryn as they discuss the challenge and implementation of a Zero Suicide approach, and how we can all be part of the solution.