The 2023 Alabama Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference is set for Sept. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.
Hosted by Troy University Suicide Prevention Coalition, the conference will be offered both in-person and virtually under the theme “Suicide Prevention: Every Connection Counts.”
“In 2019, the conference was started to fulfill the need for mental health training and resources, particularly in suicidality for individuals and organizations working with college students of all ages in Alabama,” said Dr. Kanessa Doss. “The conference originally began through the Alabama Higher Education Suicide Prevention Grant sponsored by the Alabama Department of Public Health, and it continues with the recently acquired, Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We are excited to provide the conference as a prominent suicide/mental health training for mental health professionals, community college and university faculty/staff, community agencies, and students in Alabama. This year’s conference has 14 workshop sessions and a keynote address from highly acclaimed clinicians and educators focused on making every connection count in suicide prevention.”
The event will include presentations on a variety of subjects including: Reaching out to populations at increased risk for suicidal behaviors; Implementing protective factors and reduction of lethal means in higher education; Increasing awareness of help-seeking behaviors by development and implementation of techniques to reduce stigma associate with mental health concerns; Connecting with community resources that provide services to students; Implementing faculty/staff and student gatekeeper training; Implementing suicide risk assessment and/or screening; and securing program funding, among others.
The event also will include a keynote address by Crystal Mullen-Johnson, Founder and CEO of Strive Counseling Services in Birmingham and Nurture, LLC, a mental health nonprofit that offers support groups, counseling service and mental health programs in the Birmingham community.
An award-winning therapist, Mullen-Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Private Independent Practitioner and a Registered Play Therapist with more than 16 years of experience providing mental health counseling to individuals and families. She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work at Alabama A&M University.
The Demopolis native was recognized by the Birmingham Times as one of 200 Front Line Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been recognized by the Birmingham mayor’s office as a game changer during her #StrongHer Campaign which promoted mental health.
She has been featured as an expert contributor in The Birmingham Times, AL.com and the Ricky Smiley morning show. Mullen-Johnson is also the author of “21 Day Journey to Strive for a Healthier You.”
Registration is $35 for students both in-person and virtually, $60 for professional virtual attendees, and $75 for Professional in-person. To register, visit https://web.cvent.com/event/b4e6386a-b57e-43f4-8067-a053e725702e/websitePage:66bfbe46-4336-49bb-8636-98969930c0e2. National Board for Certified Counselors Continuing Education Units will be offered.
