Registration Open for Kevin's Song Annual Conference

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. — Registration is now open for Michigan’s largest conference on suicide — the Kevin’s Song 8th Annual Conference on Suicide: Continuing the Conversation — that features a prestigious roster of the leading mental health professionals, educators and experts. The conference takes place January 25–27, 2024, at the Saint John’s Resort, 44045 Five Mile Rd., Plymouth. The announcement was made by Kevin’s Song Co-Founders John and Gail Urso.

The three-day conference brings together educators, mental health professionals, professional trainees and students, business and community leaders as well as the public, survivors of suicide loss, and attempt survivors and their family members. It addresses suicide as a public health crisis to better understand and prevent suicide while helping to build pathways to better models of prevention and treatment in order to save lives. It features keynote and breakout sessions as well as supportive resources for attendees.

“We’ve always believed that by coming together and sharing knowledge, experiences and compassion, we have the power to create a world where hope conquers despair,” said Kevin’s Song Co-Founders John and Gail Urso. “Our annual Kevin’s Song Conference on Suicide is a testament to the dedication of countless individuals and organizations committed to preventing this tragedy. Together, we can inspire change, provide support, and save lives. We invite you to join us at this year’s conference to be part of the solution and make a difference in the fight against suicide.”

New for 2024 will be a Pre-Conference Training Day on Wed., Jan. 24, featuring educational sessions for clinicians, including safeTALK, QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) and AMSR (Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk).

The conference breakdown is as follows:

Thurs., Jan. 25 — Youth Mental Health & School Summit presented by The Children’s Foundation and Macomb County Community Mental Health: the first day of the bold and comprehensive conference will focus on integrating schools, youth-serving organizations and clinicians to promote suicide prevention and mental well-being for youth. Presentations will appeal to educators, mental health professionals and suicide prevention advocates who work with young people to build awareness and to share prevention strategies that are tailored to this diverse population.

Keynote speakers include: Kathryn Goetzke, Chief HOPE Officer at The Shine Hope Company; Hayley Watson, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and CEO at Open Parachutes; Jocelyn Meza, PhD, Assistant Professor In-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and a bilingual licensed clinical psychologist at UCLA; and Mason Englert, Detroit Tigers relief pitcher.

Fri., Jan. 26 — Continuing the Conversation About Suicide Prevention presented by Corewell HealthTM, Priority Health, and the Dolores and Paul Lavins Foundation: the second day of this bold and comprehensive conference includes an array of powerful presentations that engage clinicians and suicide prevention advocates to enhance their knowledge and skills to prevent suicide. Attendees will hear the latest in research about suicide and risk assessment as well as evidenced-based treatments and prevention strategies to better serve individuals and communities at risk.

Keynote speakers include: Michael Anestis, PhD, Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and as an Associate Professor of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers University; Thomas Joiner, PhD, The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Florida State University; Brian Ahmedani PhD, is a research scientist at Henr y Ford Health System with appointments at the Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research and the Department of Psychiatry; Nancy Buyle, MA, LPC, ACTP, School Safety/Student Assistance Consultant, Macomb Intermediate School District, Co-Chair, Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission; Lindsay DeCamp, MHA, State Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Injury And Violence Prevention Section; Kristen Smith, PhD, Program Coordinator, Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; and Tony Thrasher DO, MBA, CPE, DFAPA, Medical Director of Crisis Services, Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, and past President of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry (AAEP).

In addition, a complimentary registration will be offered on Friday to any student or professional trainee in a behavioral health or medical related field of study in a Michigan university or college program. The Friday keynote and breakout presentations will provide these students with basic, but crucial information about suicide, how to identify, assess and work with people at risk for suicide, in line with healthcare regulatory standards, such as The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goal for Suicide Prevention.

Immediately following Friday’s conference program, Kevin’s Song will host the 2024 “Saving a Life Award” Dinner honoring individuals or organizations that exemplify outstanding service to the community in suicide prevention. The evening, which is sponsored by CNS Healthcare, will conclude with a Concert of Hope and Healing by the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre.

Sat., Jan. 27 — Surviving Suicide – A Journey of Hope and Healing presented by the Joseph J. Laurencelle Memorial Foundation: the Saturday program focuses on survivors of suicide. The stories of loss survivor, La Toya Bond and Scott Teichmer, an attempt survivor, will help to ease the pain for those who often suffer alone and in silence. Fr Ron Rolheiser will share his belief that cries of the soul need neither to be saved nor be fixed – but rather they need to be heard. Barb Smith will address how to manage grief and offer hope to those who have suffered a loss and those who love and support them.

Following the survivor presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to meet privately in group support sessions facilitated by mental health professionals. A portion of the Saturday program will be live streamed by Detroit Public Television and via Facebook LIVE.

Throughout the three-day conference, attendees may visit the Memorial Forest – a quiet place dedicated to those whose lives were prematurely ended. Sponsored by Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, it is a place of solace, in the middle of a busy conference center, filled with lighted trees adorned with the names of those lost and those honored. Attendees are invited to remember their loved ones with a personalized ornament.

This year’s conference also features a Resource Gallery and a bookstore courtesy of the Self Esteem Shop. Kevin’s Song has applied for continuing education for Nurses, Social Workers, Addiction Professionals (MCBAP), Michigan Teachers (SCECH), and Certified Counselors (NBCC). Updated information will be posted on the registration website when available.

Early bird rates are through Dec. 31, 2023: three-day conference is $300 per person; two-day conference (Thur. and Fri.) is $275; single day pricing is $150 per person.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the rate for the three-day conference is $400 per person; two-day conference (Thur. and Fri.) is $375 per person; and single day pricing is $200 per person. The Saturday Survivor program is $40 per person. Student rates are also available for the conference with student ID.

Visit www.kevinssong.org for more information about registration, scholarships or sponsorship opportunities.

About Kevin’s Song

Kevin’s Song is a charitable organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society, and possible preventive measures. As an organization we are creating a working community of professionals and advocates that is rapidly being recognized as a valuable resource in the metropolitan Detroit area for offering knowledge, hope and healing to individuals, families and communities touched by suicide. Kevin’s Song was founded by John and Gail Urso in honor of their son, Kevin, who took his own life in 2013. For more information visit www.kevinssong.org or call (313) 236-7109.