An internationally recognized expert on self-injury treatment will be the keynote speaker of a conference focusing on “Faces of Suicide: Suicide and Self-Injury,” Thursday, Nov. 5 at Purdue University Calumet.
Wendy Lader, co-founder and clinical director of S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Alternatives, a frequent news media source and co-author of the book, Bodily Harm: The Break-through Healing Program for Self-Injurers, will deliver her address during the afternoon session.
The conference, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the campus Calumet Conference Center, is intended for therapists, counselors, educators, youth workers, clergy, self-help leaders, parents, volunteers, law enforcement officials and others who desire to help someone struggling with self-harm and/or suicide-related issues.
Other scheduled presenters are:
• Lake County Coroner David Pastrick, discussing patterns of suicide;
• Regional Mental Health Center Chief Medical Officer John Kern, discussing integrated approaches to mental health and physical health being developed at Regional; and
• Youth Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center Director, Indiana Cares Youth Suicide Prevention Project Colleen Carpenter, discussing local and state efforts to prevent suicide.
Morning presentations will focus on: Connection between Mental Health and Overall Health, Suicide in Northwest Indiana Communities, and Local and State Efforts in Suicide Prevention.
“We want to increase awareness of the tell-tale signs of suicide and help equip those individuals who interact with people who may be depressed, grieving, experiencing a suicide crisis or hurting in other ways,” Purdue Calumet Counselor Ryan Parsons-Rozycki said.
The conference is presented by the Northwest Indiana Suicide Prevention Council and the Purdue Calumet Conference Center. Cost to attend is $30 ($40 if professional CEUs are desired). Individuals can register to attend or obtain additional information by contacting Sandy Appleby at Geminus Corp. (219/757-1972, sandy.appleby@geminus.org.
