By Midland Daily News | Published January 10, 2023

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. with 47,646 deaths in 2021, indicating a staunch reverse following two consecutive years in decline. This is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.

As part of an effort to address this serious health issue in Michigan, Kevin’s Song will host its 7th Annual Conference on Suicide: Building Roads to a Better Tomorrow from Jan. 26 through Jan. 28.

The three-day event, which is Michigan’s largest conference on suicide, features leading experts in the field of suicide, hundreds of mental health professionals, educators, first responders, support groups, loss and attempt survivors, among others. The conference will address 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.

The conference will be held Jan. 26–28 at the Saint John’s Resort located at 44045 Five Mile Road in Plymouth, Michigan.

Highlights include:

• Jan. 26 — The School Summit will bring together public, independent, parochial and charter schools to share best practices in suicide awareness and prevention. Participants will learn about creative, innovative programs that are bringing mental health and suicide awareness to students, teachers and parents throughout Michigan.
• Jan. 26 — New this year and free of charge, Professional Training and Student Symposium on Suicide, for Michigan undergraduate/graduate students, residents and medical interns. This intense half-day course on suicide risk factors, prevention and treatment. Professional trainees and students will receive basic but crucial information regarding identifying and working 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.
• Jan. 27 — Building Roads to a Better Tomorrow features an array of powerful presentations by researchers, clinicians and advocates who will cover the topic of suicide during general and breakout sessions with the best available research and evidence-based practices.
• Jan. 28 — Surviving Suicide is a journey of hope and healing that is dedicated for survivors of suicide loss and attempt survivors, support group facilitators, mental health professionals and others interested in sharing their lived experiences. It will include a presentation about surviving the grief of loss and facilitated support groups for attendees as well as the Kevin’s Song 2022 “Saving a Life Award,” whose recipients exemplify outstanding service to the community in suicide prevention.

Registration will remain open until Jan. 25.

The Kevin’s Song 7th Annual Conference on Suicide: Building Roads to a Better Tomorrow is presented by the Dolores and Paul Lavins Foundation, The Children’s Foundation and the Joseph J. Laurencelle Memorial Foundation and is produced by Detroit Public Television.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events and speakers, attendee rates and Continuing Education Credits available, visit kevinssong.org.