Suicide is a critical public health issue affecting individuals across all demographics throughout our communities. Despite the advancements in mental health awareness, suicide rates have grown exponentially over the past decade. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 24 in the United States. Equipping adults with the knowledge to gauge when an individual might be at risk of considering suicide and providing tools to intervene appropriately can save a life and create a network of support that helps those in crisis find hope and healing.
Effective suicide prevention involves understanding the factors that contribute to increased risk, recognizing the impact of societal, community, cultural and systemic factors, and fostering supportive environments which promote mental well-being and resiliency. Participants of this training will become familiar with the scope of suicide among young people, explore myths and facts, learn the art of compassionate communication, assess suicide risk and gain confidence to engage a young person in suicidal distress. This interactive workshop is designed for parents and caregivers, community members, educators, and professionals who seek to enhance their understanding of suicide prevention and intervention.
Learning Objectives:
- Become familiar with the prevalence of suicide among youth and the racial and systemic factors that impact suicide for communities of color.
- Distinguish between suicide risk and protective factors.
- Identify factors which impact mental wellness of youth and warning signs of adolescent suicide.
- Explore myths and facts about suicide.
- Examine compassionate communication strategies to effectively assess suicide risk and implement appropriate crisis intervention response.
- Identify mental health resources and support systems.
About the Presenter:
Kameko Johnson-Styles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington, DC and Maryland. She currently serves as the Director of Youth, Birth Family, & Community Engagement at the National Center for Children and Families, where she is responsible for ensuring that children and families involved in the foster care system receive supportive, wraparound services until permanency is achieved. In addition, she is a Training and Instructional Fellow at the Institute for Mastery and Integration. For nearly a decade, Kameko has worked as an adjunct professor, presented at several conferences, and co-authored a publication. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bowie State University. Kameko is currently a second-year doctoral student in the School of Social Work at Morgan State University.
Continuing Education:
This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886842050-1038) for 3 continuing education contact hours.
