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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR CEUs.  
All attendees requiring CEUs must sign in each day.  Certificates are available at the end of each day.  Note, Survivor rate does not include CEUs.  Attendees will receive a total of 13 hours for the conference, 6.5 hour per day.  

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW - For detailed descriptions of each session scroll down

Wednesday: October 21 - Pre-Conference 
Department of Education Pre-Conference  
A separate registration is required for the Pre-Conference.  
This Trainer Conference will be held on the Pre-Conference day for the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition’s annual statewide HOPE Conference. 

The Trainer Conference will be open to any and all active ASIST and safeTALK trainers (in Arizona and beyond).  This annual conference is offered each year as a way to respond to the needs expressed by Arizona trainers in the AZSPC Trainer Network Survey (last administered in 2017 and regularly administered every 2-3 years).  Bringing trainers together for skill-building, networking, and collaboration opportunities has kept our Arizona trainer network grounded in support and has helped with sustainability of trainers statewide.
Thursday: October 22  - HOPE Conference

8:00 - 8:30 AM            Registration & Breakfast Sponsored by Magellan Health
8:30 - 8:45 AM             Nikki Kontz, LMSW, AZSPC Board President - Welcome
8:45 - 9:00 AM             Kelli Williams - State of the State
9:00 - 10:30 AM           Senator Bowie. - TBD
10:30 - 10:45 AM          Break Sponsored by Recovery Innovations
10:45 -12:00 PM           Lanny Berman, Ph.D. - TBD 
12:15 - 1:00 PM             Lunch Sponsored by Mercy Care
1:15 - 2:45 PM               Breakout Sessions
  • William Beverly, Ph.D., LMFT, CCHP - Trauma Informed Community Building
  • Lolan Lauvao, MS - TBD
  • David Simmons - Social/Emotional Learning and Suicide Prevention in The Classroom Through Arts Integration
                                              
2:45 - 3:00 pm             Break Sponsored by Crisis Response Network
3:00 -4:30 pm              Breakout Sessions
  • Edward James, MSW, ACSW, LMSW, MPM- Social Determinants Linked to Death by Suicide in the Black and Brown Communities
  • School District Panel - Lessons Learned About Mandated Program
  • Thomas E. Rojo Aubrey, Ph.D., D.BH, MSC, LAMFT, CMHFA, CCTP, CFTP, CFTPI - Build a Mental Armor with Psychological and Emotional Resilience Training 
  • Beya Thayer; Shawn Hatch, Kelly Legler - Yavapai's Reach Out Initiative: Addressing High-Risk Populations in the Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Through Collaboration and Partnership
                                              
Friday: October 23  - HOPE Conference
              
8:00 - 8:30 AM            Registration & Breakfast Sponsored by EMPACT & Teen Lifeline
8:30 - 10:00 AM          Anthony Dekker, D.O, FACOFP, FAOAAM; Patty Roe, Psy.D., PMHNP-BC,    LISAC  - Suicide & Opioids
10:00 - 10:15 AM         Break Sponsored by Partners in Recovery
10:15 - 11:45 AM           Frank Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, C.T.  - Remember the Dash
12:00 - 1:00 PM            Lunch Sponsored by Crisis Preparation & Recovery  AND Arizona Complete Health
1:15 - 2:45 PM               Breakout Sessions
  • Anthony Dekker D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM, Patty Roe, Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC - Telemed
  • Robin B. Dilley, Ph.D. - The Labyrinth: A Path to Healing
  • Issac Akapnitis, LMSW; Jonah Spector. - Transforming Hope for Trans/Nonbinary Youth
  • Paula McCall, Ph.D. - Virtual Suicide Assessment and Intervention: Lessons from COVID-19​
                                      
2:45 - 3:00 pm             Break Sponsored by Terros Health
3:00 -4:30 pm              Breakout Sessions
  • Frank Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, C.T. - Practicing Metaphor Communication and Practice on Remembering the Dash
  • Steve Schiro MA; Theodora Schiro MA - A Culture of Caring: Suicide Prevention for Schools (K-12)
  • Anthony Dekker D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM, Patty Roe, Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC - Caring for the Caregiver in the Time of COVID: Working Close to the Edge
  • Glen Bloomstrom - Military / Faith Based

Session Descriptions



Thursday: October 24  - HOPE Conference

8:45 - 9:00 AM             Kelli Williams - State of the State
As the Arizona state Suicide Prevention Specialist for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Kelli will provide a brief overview of the current status at the state level for suicide prevention efforts.

9:00 - 10:30 AM          Senator Bowie - TBD

10:45 -12:00 PM           Lanny Berman, Ph.D. - TBD

1:15 - 2:45 PM - Breakout Sessions
  • William Beverly Ph.D., LMFT, CCHP- Trauma Informed Community Building
    The impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on physical and mental health outcomes (including suicide) has been well-documented and is of special concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. As adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) continue to disrupt childhood growth and family health, Arizona advocates are taking the lead on improving the lives of people who have experienced trauma, who are more than often disproportionately marginalized by unjust systematic programs and policies. This presentation describes projects centered on educating and healing the South Mountain (SM) community by implementing Trauma-Informed Community Building. Trauma-Informed Community Building offers opportunities for communities to have meaningful engagement in the change process, trusting community relationships, as well as to feel safe and valued as a means of healing from a long history of community traumas. Trauma Informed Community Building (TICB) is based upon SAMHSA’s Six Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach, which increases resilience to ACEs, toxic stress and trauma, and addresses the public health and well-being of a community.
 
  • Lolan Lauvao, MS - TBD
 
  • David Simmons - Social/Emotional Learning and Suicide Prevention in The Classroom Through Arts Integration                    
    ​This session, as with all UBU Project residencies, will be an interactive, creative workshop based upon The UBU Project's Treasure Chest Curriculum of Hope, Resilience, Self-Compassion and Empathy all taught through arts integration. In the words of one UBU residency student; "this residency wasn't so much about suicide prevention as it was a celebration of life."
                                         
3:00 -4:30 pm - Breakout Sessions
  • Edward James, MSW, ACSW, LMSW, MPM - Social Determinants Linked to Death by Suicide in the Black and Brown Communities
    You may be wondering why is the topic of social determinants and suicide an important topic in 2020? There is a growing concern about the physical and emotional health of black and brown communities. A portion of the discussion is generated from direct and indirect factors identified as social determinants. There is undeniable evidence suicide behavior is influenced by these factors. This workshop is intended for a wide experienced audience of professionals in the field of suicide, prevention, survivors, and supporters. The workshop will explore the interrelatedness of gender, race, ethnicity, and culture as social determinants.
 
  • School District Panel - TBD


  • Dr. Thomas E. Rojo Aubrey Ph.D., D.BH, MSC, LAMFT, CMHFA, CCTP, CFTP, CFTPI - Build a Mental Armor with Psychological and Emotional Resilience Training 
    Like the soldier in the battlefield without armor or a shield, many professionals enter the workforce and realize they were ill-prepared for the demands of a highly stressful work environment. Accordingly, this workshop will present the tools you need to fortify your mind and body to mitigate the negative effects of work-related stress, including traumatic stress. The preventative approach of psychological and emotional resilience training (PERT) can support the health and wellness of professionals in helping, caring, serving and protecting careers. It can help decrease mental distress and reduce the negative effects of traumatic stress, burnout and compassion fatigue. It can also help improve employee job satisfaction, retention, productivity and performance/clinical outcomes. You will learn the basic factors required to build the mental fortitude needed to thrive and success in all areas of life. 

  • Beya Thayer; Shawn Hatch, Kelly Legler- Yavapai's Reach Out Initiative: Addressing High-Risk Populations in the  Intersection of Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Through Collaboration and Partnership                   
    The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports the suicide rate in local jails throughout the nation in 2014 was 50 per 100,000 local jail inmates in comparison to the Center for Disease Control reporting the nation’s suicide rate for the general population was 13 per 100,000 people. Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Illness, and Substance Use, in addition to other risk factors such has unemployment, no permanent housing, no primary care provider, and no safe transportation compounds a person’s on-going involvement within the criminal justice system.                       
                                              
Friday: October 23  - HOPE Conference
               
8:30 - 10:00 AM             Anthony Dekker, D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM; Patty Roe Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC  - Suicide & Opioids
Healthcare workers make up 20% of all coronavirus infections in the US.  Catastrophic consequences including death are common in these workers.  Feelings of loneliness, depression, hopelessness, survivor guilt, burnout, wear out and PTSD are common and treatable events.

10:15 - 11:45 AM            Frank Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, C.T. - Remember the Dash
Headstones often note the date of birth and date of death and between those dates is a dash that is intended to mark the lifeline of that individual.  Clearly for so many the date of death is the focus especially when it is sudden and traumatic.  Suicide, as a cause of death has often eclipsed the life that about that person and their life should not be erased by a manner of death.  Most of us know famous and historical people not by a diagnosis or manner of death but by what they accomplished in their living days.  This keynote will address the value of finding the memories hidden by the dash.

1:15 - 2:45 PM - Breakout Sessions
  • Anthony Dekker, D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM; Patty Roe Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC  - Telemed

  • Robin B. Dilley, Ph.D.  - The Labyrinth: A Path to Healing                                                      
    Suicide within a family system creates an immediate complex grieving situation. It is impossible to think your way out of the pain, reason the pain away, or explain what happened. No explanation is “good enough” to heal the deep pain that is left behind. Anger, rage, despair, and emotional trauma creates symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mood disturbances. You are not sick and you do not need a diagnosis. You need tools and resources to help you manage, cope and move forward amid your despair. The Labyrinth can provide you deep solace during this time. The Labyrinth is a walking meditation or (now especially during COVID-a finger walk meditation), that allows the brain to move back and forth from the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere, walking 180 degree turns, which allows the brain to relax, let go and shift. Traditional meditation techniques are extremely difficult for many people even the best of circumstances but using the Labyrinth as a walking meditation has provided comforted, solace and insight for many, providing an easier way to focus.

  • Issac Akapnitis, LMSW; Jonah Spector - Transforming Hope for Trans/Nonbinary Youth
    Despite increased visibility and in many cases, support from family, friends, and their communities, transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) youth continue to be at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. In one nationwide survey, over one third of trans youth reported attempting suicide in the past year, and 44% reported seriously considering it (Trevor Project, 2019). And no wonder, when during the 2020 legislative session amidst a pandemic, an unprecedented number of bills were introduced across the US that targeted trans youth and criminalized the doctors who care for them. This included HB 2706 right here in Arizona. What messages do these bills and other anti-trans sentiments send to our youth? How does this impact their mental health and increase suicide risk? And how does this speak to the need for more support, understanding, and empathy building? Join us to learn more about TGNB youth, their unique risk and protective factors, and how we can take action to be TGNB-affirming caregivers, health care providers, educators, and advocates.​

  • Paula McCall, Ph.D. - Virtual Suicide Assessment and Intervention: Lessons From COVID-19                                                                 The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a significant challenge in suicide risk assessment and intervention, which have been traditionally conducted and researched via in-person formats. The closure of schools and the conversion of therapy sessions to telemedicine created a new ripple of concern over how to identify, assess, and intervene with potentially suicidal children and adolescents who no longer had multiple sets of eyes on them every day. Children and adolescents experienced tremendous losses in social connections, feelings of safety and security, and anticipated rites of passage, resulting in an increased risk for suicidal ideation during the pandemic. The barrier of virtual delivery of services, however, reduced the possibility of effectively identifying, assessing, and intervening with suicidal ideation or attempt. As a result, virtual adaptations to previously established methods of suicide risk and intervention with children and adolescents were necessary both within the schools as well as via telemedicine.

    This workshop provides an overview of the heightened risk of suicidal ideation for children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as adaptations that were made to suicide risk assessment and intervention approaches by school and mental health providers. It breaks down the core critical areas of suicide risk assessment and describes how these same areas can still be addressed virtually. It additionally explores creative options in building an effective suicide risk intervention even with virtual restrictions. The outcomes of this workshop highlight the ability to translate suicide risk assessment and intervention approaches to multiple modalities, with emphasis on how the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can be translated to other challenging situations in the future.

3:00 -4:30 pm - Breakout Sessions
  • Frank Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, C.T. - Practicing Metaphor Communication and Practice on Remembering the Dash
    Metaphors can be an impactful way to communicate your loss to non survivors who might help if they could understand more clearly where you are today in your loss.

    The "Remember the Dash practice" is an interactive portion of this session that suggests ways a loved ones life can be celebrated and not be erased or replaced by a dash.  Participants will be encouraged to share life-affirming stories of their loved ones to reclaim the memories of their loved ones life from the stigma of suicide.    ​

  • Steve Schiro, MA; Theodora Schiro, MA- A Culture of Caring: Suicide Prevention for Schools (K-12)
    The session will provide training for school personnel in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. Attendees will learn how to strengthen protective factors by creating a culture of caring within the school community. In addition, they will learn to identify risk factors and warning signs. Resources for developing effective prevention plans for a school or district will be provided.

  • Anthony Dekker, D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM; Patty Roe Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC  - Caring for the Caregiver in the Time of COVID: Working Close to the Edge                         
    Healthcare workers make up 20% of all coronavirus infections in the US.  Catastrophic consequences including death are common in these workers.  Feelings of loneliness, depression, hopelessness, survivor guilt, burnout, wear out and PTSD are common and treatable events.

  • Glen Bloomstrom - TBD


Thank you to our conference sponsors: