Suicide Myths
- Thomas Joiner, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.

Myths about suicide are not only numerous and pervasive, they represent a public health nuisance. Dispelling them is important and can shed new light on the phenomenon. This presentation demolishes both moralistic and psychotherapeutic clichés found in media reports, literary works, and even clinical writing. Joiner will show that suicide is not easy, cowardly, vengeful, masterful, nor selfish. Nor is it a manifestation of “suppressed rage” or a medication side effect. Threats of suicide, far from being idle, are often followed by serious attempts. People who are prevented once from killing themselves will not necessarily try again. Learning objectives:

• Review basic facts and myths about death by suicide
• Describe a new theory of suicidal behavior
• Apply the new theory to dismantle myths and how this can inform risk assessment, treatment and suicide prevention

QPR – Gatekeeper Training (repeated in afternoon)
- Vicky Gunderson, Parent Advocate and QPR Gatekeeper Trainer

A Gatekeeper is anyone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. This could be you (QPR Institute, 1995). Like CPR, QPR provides the basic tools that may save the life of someone who is thinking about suicide. Everyone can learn the skills of Question-Persuade-Refer, the steps that encourage action and offer hope. Learning objectives:

• Identify suicide myths and facts
• Identify verbal, behavioral and situation clues
• List the 3 steps of QPR

Special Notice
QPR Gatekeeper Training will be offered twice during the Summit by Certified QPR Gatekeeper instructors Bridgette Hensley, PsyD and Vicky Gunderson. www.qprinstitute.com

Linking American Indian Resilience with Suicide Prevention
- Teresa La Fromboise, Ph.D., Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.

This workshop will focus on biopsychosocial correlates and risk factors of American Indian/ Alaska Native youth suicide. Lessons learned during collaborations with tribal communities, health care providers, and schools in the development and evaluation of the American Indian Life Skills (AILS), an evidence-based suicide prevention program for adolescents. Lessons from the AILS will be demonstrated so that the curriculum comes to life and stimulates ideas for further prevention intervention. Learning objectives:

• To present research on risk and protective factors associated with American Indian/Alaska Native youth suicide
• To provide an update on a culturally-specific model of suicide prevention
• To engage participants in an AILS lesson on positive self-talk and the 4-step plan for suicide prevention that helps youth learn to secure help from a trusted adult

Help for the Helpers: Burnout, Compassion Fatigue and Self Care
- Steven J Beezley, M.S.S.W., Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse

Those who work with suicidal clients, patients, and their families know how intense and demanding the field can be. Helpers are at risk for stress reactions, job burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, and other reactions. This workshop is for counselors, social workers, nurses, physicians, and other professionals who experience emotional reactions to the sights, stories, experiences, and sometimes disappointing outcomes that accompany this work. The workshop welcomes helpers from any level of expertise that feel they can benefit from learning and utilizing stress management concepts. Learning objectives:

• Identify the differences between job burnout and compassion fatigue • Identify stress makers and learn self-assessment tools
• Develop a plan to improve personal stress management skills and self care

Moving toward Healing: Focus on Families and Partners
- Patti Jo Severson, NAMI-La Crosse

What helps families and partners move toward healing after suicide? The presentation features a panel that will share their insights into healing. Learn how families and partners strengthen relationships and create a better understanding of their own experience. Learning objectives:

• Identify the predictable stages of emotional reactions among family members
• Identify survivors’ needs in the healing process

Substance Abuse and Suicide
- Dr. William Bucknam, M.D., Behavioral Health, Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse

Learn about the epidemiology of suicide and how suicide is impacted by substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Explore a framework that understands suicide as a national public health problem. Discuss the treatment and prevention strategies this approach suggests. Learning objectives:

• Grasp the scope of suicide and how it is impacted by substance abuse
• Appreciate that suicide is a preventable public health problem
• Recognize the need to adopt a public health approach to prevent suicide and behavioral disorders

Issues of Spirit, Faith and Religion (A Pastoral Perspective on Suicide)
- Michael Brown, Pastoral Care Department, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse

Spirituality and religious beliefs can both complicate and assist work with people dealing with the suicide of a loved one. Religious beliefs can be a strong deterrent to suicide, or they can be the source of even more guilt and pain. We will explore this dynamic and discuss how to positively use religious/spiritual beliefs in treating people affected by suicide. Learning objectives:

• Describe the impact of religious/spiritual beliefs on people who lose someone to suicide
• Identify the impact of religious/spiritual beliefs on someone contemplating suicide
• Describe how this knowledge can be used in treatment plans

4:48 Psychosis by Sara Kane (excerpts from a performance)
- Nikki Balsamo, Choreographer; David Gardiner, Director

QPR – Gatekeeper Training (repeated from morning)
- Bridgette C. Hensley, Psy.D., UW-L Counseling and Testing

A Gatekeeper is anyone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. This could be you (QPR Institute, 1995). Like CPR, QPR provides the basic tools that may save the life of someone who is thinking about suicide. Everyone can learn the skills of Question-Persuade-Refer, the steps that encourage action and offer hope. Learning objectives:

• Identify suicide myths and facts
• Identify verbal, behavioral and situation clues
• List the 3 steps of QPR

Warzone Trauma of the Mind and Brain
- Michael Brandt, Ph.D., River Valley Integrated Health Center, La Crosse

The current war on terrorism waged by America and her allies is in its tenth year. The costs of war are frequently incalculably numerous and sometimes quite nebulous. This presentation will identify the neurophysiologic, mental, psychic, and soulful wounds of today’s military service members and veterans. Learning Objectives:  

• Identify neurophysiologic implications of warzone trauma
• Describe the cognitive factors most commonly associated with warzone trauma
• Describe the psychological factors most commonly ascribed to warzone trauma

Medication, Intervention, and Prevention
 - Dr. Parnjai Jaiarj Johnson, M.D., Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse

This presentation provides an overview of the typical medications used in mental health treatment.  Special attention will given to the risks and benefits associated with medication use as it relates to suicide. Learning objectives:

• Identify common psychiatric diagnosis and medication use
• Identify relationship between medication use and suicide
• Assess risk and benefit of medication use and suicide
• Familiarize and early recognize high risk group for appropriate referral

When Police Officers Die by Suicide: A Department Responds
- Sgt. Tom Walsh and Officer Avrie Schott, City of La Crosse Police Department

Every 17 hours a law enforcement officer dies by suicide with an average of 436 suicides each year. Prevention in law enforcement suicides can have many obstacles, however. Learn what one police department is doing to respond. The discussion will include how the community can assist these efforts and address the impact these deaths have on communities. Learning objectives:

• Identify the contributing factors and the difficulties in preventing suicide
• Identify approaches and programs adopted by a local law enforcement agency
• Learn prevention strategies for communities in addressing suicide by police

Why People Die by Suicide
- Thomas Joiner, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.

This session explores the risk markers for death by suicide: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, perhaps chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself. Theories will be tested against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics, and neurobiology — facts about suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; anorexics, athletes, prostitutes, and physicians; members of cults, sports fans, and citizens of nations in crisis. Learning objectives:

• Review the epidemiology and risk factors for death by suicide
• Describe anecdotal, clinical, and scientific evidence that evaluates this new theory
• Identify developments in the treatment and prevention of suicidal behavior

Gambling and Suicide Risk
- Jeff Court, M.S.S.W., Behavioral Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse

There are 333,000 Wisconsin residents with some level of gambling problem and yet, gambling remains the “hidden addiction.” High correlations between gambling addiction, mood disorders, and substance abuse exist. Moreover, pathological gamblers commit suicide at a rate 20 times higher than that of the general population. As opportunities to gamble become ever more frequent, the need for awareness of these associated health risks grow as well. Learning objectives:

• Learn the difference between social gambling, problem gambling, and gambling addiction
• Increase knowledge of the scope and prevalence of gambling in our society
• Identify the specific suicide risk factors for problem gamblers

LGBTQ Youth and Risk
- Kathy Flores, Diversity Coordinator-City of Appleton; Jesse Heffernan, Harmony Café Program, Appleton, Wis.; Will Van Roosenbeek, Pride Center, UW-La Crosse

This presentation features the film, “Bullied: A Student, A School and A Case that Made History. ” A panel of experts will share the innovative approaches to prevent suicide deaths that are taking place in the city of Appleton and the UW-L campus. Learning Objective:

• Describe how the Jamie Nabozny case created change in attitudes and laws
• Identify the unique risks and issues LGBTQ youth face
• Outline prevention approaches available to communities and campuses
• Describe individual responses that can make a difference for youth in their communities

Roots of Resilience: Culture, Community and Family
- Teresa La Fromboise, Ph.D., School of Education, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.

Resilience reflects the interrelated nature of social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual/moral strengths. This relational view reveals the existing possibilities in US society that equip young people with the needed skills and habits to live healthy, happy, and productive lives in respectful and loving relationships. Embedded with the litany of risk factors eroding adolescent resilience is the societal pressure for academic and professional success at all costs. While these and other risk factors will be reviewed, the protective factors of culture, community, and family that scaffold youth reconnection and re-empowerment will be emphasized. Learning objective:

• Describe a relational view of resilience development
• Identify select recommendations for prevention of behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders of young people
• Describe how to work with diverse cultures, communities, and families to rekindle and validate their supportive and healing resources