Summary of September Conference-2004
Springfield, Illinois
Sherry Bryant, 2-year founding chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee receives a "Sherry Bryant" volunteer of the year award from Stan Lewy, next Chairperson of the committee and Carol Wozniewski, Conference Chairperson.
Suicide Prevention: Advancing the Illinois Strategic Plan
One hundred forty-five people attended the three day conference which included a full-day of training for "Question, Persuade, Refer" taught by Paul Quinnett, author and expert in public health programming for prevention and intervention for citizens and professional alike. This program is meant to enable attendees to present workshops to the public and professionals on warning signs, intervention steps and "how to's" of saving lives.
"The Strategic Planning Committee is very pleased to have these folks trained in Illinois. We will be networking with them and tracking their work with the 'QPR' program, as they adapt it to their communities." commented Sherry Bryant, former chairperson the planning committee.
Jerry and Elsie Weyrauch, keynoters of the Conference, founders of Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA) |
Conference participants were pleased to welcome founders of Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) Jerry and Elsie Weyrauch, who spearheaded the organizations that eventually empowered the grassroots and professional partnerships that produced the National Strategy Plan for Suicide Prevention.
Jerry and Elsie keynoted the conference as well as offering two sessions on community organization on local levels.
Participants also delighted in hearing Kevin Roy, ABC anchorperson from Chicago, speak about his role as a survivor and advocate for suicide prevention in his journalistic field. Clark Flatt, CEO of Jason Foundation; Michelle LaGroue, Miss Illinois; and Eric Hipple, Former Quarterback of Detroit Lions all spoke about their experiences as mental health advocates.
Participants attended sessions on:
Law Enforcement and Suicide Prevention for the Mentally Ill
- Developing a Survivor Support Group
- Youth Suicide Programs
- Research on School Programming for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention for the Asian Culture
- African American Suicide Prevention
- Counseling Suicidal Clients
- Migrant Farm Workers and Depression
- Latino Suicide Prevention
- Rural Suicide Prevention
"We hope to continue trainings every year in varied forms such as regional trainings or local community opportunities, in partnership with this active committee." commented Jennifer Martin, Injury Prevention Specialist, Illinois Department of Public Health.
Ray Cooke, Executive Director of Springfield Department of Public Health, addresses the attendees.
Kevin, a son of suicide
