Suicide Prevention Symposium is September 19 in Jackson

A one-day symposium on September 19 aims to address suicide prevention across all age groups in Mississippi – children and youth, adults, and elder adults who may be at risk.

The symposium will be at the Jackson Medical Mall, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on September 19, and will include a number of speakers, including family members who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Welcoming the crowd will be Mississippi’s First Lady Deborah Bryant, who has partnered with the Department of Mental Health in suicide prevention efforts. Other speakers include:

• Staff Sergeant Jean Whaley with the Mississippi Army National Guard, speaking about Suicide and the Military
• Teresa Mosley and Patti Herrington, with a presentation titled “Surviving Suicide: A Family’s Perspective.”
• John K. Kriger, of Kriger Consulting, speaking about Tech Dependence, Substance Abuse, and Suicide.
• Wendy Bailey with the Department of Mental Health, and Dr. Julie Lowery and Estelle Watts of the Mississippi Department of Education. They will be speaking about House Bill 263, which mandates suicide prevention training for school district employees in Mississippi.
• Dr. Kim Tarver, with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, focusing on suicide prevention in elder adults.
• Leah Pylate and Kim Kavalsky of Mississippi State University, with a presentation titled Suicide and Substance Use.

Continuing Education will be available. More details will be available about CE in the near future. For more information, contact Molly Portera with the Department of Mental Health at 601-359-1288.

Click here for the agenda and more information