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Public Health Approach to Firearm Suicide Prevention

Room: Paradise A

Speaker(s): 

Sorg, Shanna

Rice-Portwood, Reba

Description: 

The Safer Homes Collaborative (SHC) is dedicated to tackling the urgent issue of firearm-related suicides through lethal means safety (LMS). Over the past seven years, SHC has navigated numerous challenges and achieved significant milestones in messaging, bridging research gaps, reducing stigma, fostering collaboration and partnerships, and securing ongoing funding. This workshop highlights the imperative for behavioral health professionals and community partners to integrate LMS strategies into their comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.

Objectives

1. A foundational understanding of the National and Missouri suicide prevention plans, including the focus on firearm suicide prevention
2. A foundational understanding of the four target audiences that Safer Homes Collaborative focuses on
3. Practical strategies and evidence-based approaches to integrate firearm suicide prevention into their community health initiatives, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention
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Rice-Portwood, Reba

Senior Program Manager at Safer Homes Collaborative, is a dedicated advocate for suicide prevention and gun safety. She captivates audiences with engaging presentations, sharing her lived experiences and practical insights. Known for her empathy, Reba connects deeply with those needing this training, empowering others to recognize the importance of gun safety.

Presentation(s):

Public Health Approach to Firearm Suicide Prevention 

By

Sorg, Shanna

Senior Program Support Manager at Safer Homes Collaborative, has over a decade of experience in community engagement and program development. She connects people with vital health and wellness information, making a significant impact by empowering individuals and communities to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Presentation(s):

Public Health Approach to Firearm Suicide Prevention 

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Pennington, Nancy, BS, CPA

Nancy Pennington serves as the Executive Director/CEO of the Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS). Prior to this, she worked with the Adair County SB40 Developmental Disability Board. Nancy has over twenty-five years working with various non-profits, previously serving as the Executive Director for the United Way of Adair County/Northeast Missouri and working with several organizations in the nonprofit field. She received her BS degree in Accounting from Truman State University, earned her certificate in Certified Public Accounting, and is a graduate of the National Leadership Institute on Developmental Disabilities. Nancy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Mental Health Foundation and the Missouri Council on Aging as well as the Advisory Leadership Team for the Institute of Human Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is also on the Advisory Council for the Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging.

Presentation(s):

Local Initiatives to Improve the Lives of People with Developmental Disabilities 

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Levely, Hannah, MS

Hannah Levely is the Youth Services Coordinator with the Missouri Department of Mental Health. She has her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and her Master of Science in Criminology. Her interest in behavioral health started while volunteering in a correctional institution. She quickly saw the need to move “Upstream” and provide supports and services to youth, before they enter the criminal justice system. In her role, she oversees various state initiatives to support youth experiencing behavioral health challenges, attempting to keep them within their community.

Presentation(s):

Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons and Community Engagement

Upstream Youth Mapping

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Banyan Treatment Centers

Banyan Treatment Centers is a nationally recognized leader in behavioral healthcare, offering comprehensive residential treatment for primary mental health disorders and substance use disorders. With facilities located across the country, Banyan provides individualized, evidence-based care in a supportive environment, helping clients achieve lasting recovery. Our nationwide network ensures access to high-quality treatment close to home, while our dedicated team of professionals delivers compassionate care at every stage of the recovery journey.

website: banyantreatment.com

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Somatic Therapies and Trauma: Healing through the Wisdom of the Nervous System

Room

Speaker(s): 

Gargis, Heather

Description: 

Step into a compelling exploration of somatic therapies and trauma, where healing goes beyond traditional cognitive approaches. This presentation dives deeply into the wisdom of the nervous system, unraveling the complexities of trauma responses and embracing the body’s vital role in recovery. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the innate threat response cycle and its pivotal role in fostering resilience. This approach highlights the body’s profound capacity to heal and restore, offering a more holistic view of trauma recovery.

Through experiential exercises, participants will explore interoception, exteroception, and proprioception, cultivating a deeper connection to the landscape of sensation and movement. This lecture provides a roadmap to understanding the language of the body and integrating its wisdom into therapy. By learning how to attune to the nervous system and guide clients toward redefining their relationship with their bodies, practitioners will leave equipped to facilitate self-discovery, resilience, and holistic healing that extends beyond the boundaries of traditional talk therapy.

Objectives

1. Define “somatic” therapies: Establish a professional understanding of the conceptual framework within trauma treatment
2. Identify the neurobiological impact of trauma on the nervous system and its role in healing
3. Analyze the phases and methods for completing the threat response cycle to enhance resilience and healing

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When Client becomes Colleague: The Peer Movement and Ethical Considerations

Room

Speaker(s): 

Cooley-Bennett, Terri

Description: 

Individuals who are former or current clients are obtaining jobs or roles as peers on a more regular basis (Krumm et al., 2022). As clinicians, educators, and supervisors, it is important to be aware of ethical considerations regarding peers in the workplace, who may be former clients. Ethical dilemmas may arise due to the potential for dual relationships. As clinicians, it is important to be compliant with applicable laws and ethical codes, cooperate with agencies and boards, and be ethically responsible. A critical aspect is being client-centered and not harming clients. This workshop will provide an overview of ethical obligations as they pertain to colleagues or peers, ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality. Issues such as vicarious liability will be discussed and potential ethical conflicts that may occur will be examined. Finally, strategic ways of managing ethical conflicts will be examined.

Objectives

1. Provide a brief overview of ethical codes and considerations that pertain to Dual Relationships, Boundaries, and Confidentiality
2. Examine the current research regarding peer support services
3. Define Vicarious Liability

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Pings of Power: The Relationship Between Electronic Device Use, Mental Health, and Relationship Wellness

Room

Speaker(s): 

Smith, James

Smith, Chrystala

Description: 

Facebook was launched in 2004, and the first iPhone was released in 2007. Even before these massive shifts in communication, mental health researchers were interested in the relationship between internet usage, communication technologies, mental health, and relationship wellness. Dr. Smith and Ms. Smith completed a qualitative thematic review of research literature published since 2004 to better understand these relationships. Together, they reviewed over 75 research. In this presentation, they will summarize research published since 2014 and share the insights this research provides.

Objectives

1. Discuss the relationship between electronic device use/social media, mental health, and relationship wellness
2. Review the interactions of personal dispositions, content engaged, and time spent on electronic devices
3. Apply the information to clinical considerations when working with mental health care clients

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Filtered Realities: Addressing the Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Eating Disorders

Room

Speaker(s): 

Firebaugh, Marie-Laurie

Copeland, Jennifer

Description: 

Body image dissatisfaction is a leading factor in the development of eating disorders, which are serious mental illnesses associated with numerous health and psychiatric comorbidities. The use of social media has increased body dissatisfaction among women, men, and teens. Additionally, recent studies suggest that people in rural areas may spend more time on social media making them more susceptible to body dissatisfaction. Media and more recently the use of social media has been shown to contribute significantly to increased body dissatisfaction, thus the importance on training people to become mindful media consumers. Additionally, helping people develop healthier relationships with their bodies is crucial, as improving body image can significantly reduce the risk of developing an eating disorder. In this session, we will discuss strategies to create an environment that promotes healthy body image by focusing on the following areas: 1) introducing the concept of body acceptance and understanding its benefits in fostering an inclusive and positive environment, 2) exploring how diet culture influences societal norms and body image, including reviewing information on the potential harms caused by social media, and 3) providing actionable steps that providers can take in their practice as well as resources in Missouri for eating disorders screening, prevention, and treatment as well as training for professionals help their clients develop healthy body image and reduce their risk of developing an eating disorder.

Objectives

1. Review the concept of body acceptance and its benefits in creating a healthy body image culture
2. Describe the impact of diet culture and social media on societal norms and body image
3. Identify concrete, actionable steps that can be implemented to improve body image