UVU Conference on
Suicide Prevention
October 7, 2022 · Hybrid Event
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.
NOTE: Participants can join ONE of these sessions. Recordings of all sessions will be available in the Conference Portal for later viewing until November 16, 2021 at 5pm. CEUs are available, BUT participants MUST COMPLETE THE ASSOCIATED QUIZ for each session attended or viewed in order to receive credit.
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.
NOTE: Participants can choose ONE of these sessions. Recordings of both sessions will be available in the Conference Portal for later viewing until November 16th at 5pm. CEUs are available, BUT participants MUST COMPLETE THE ASSOCIATED QUIZ for each session attended or viewed in order to receive credit.
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.
NOTE: Participants can choose ONE of these sessions. Recordings of both sessions will be available in the Conference Portal for later viewing until November 16th at 5pm. CEUs are available, BUT participants MUST COMPLETE THE ASSOCIATED QUIZ for each session attended or viewed in order to receive credit.
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.
