The Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition is holding a conference called, “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicide: Learn, Change, Prevent.”
The two-day conference takes place Thursday and Friday, June 2-3, at the University of Alaska Southeast, including an evening session at 6:30 p.m. June 2.
The purpose of the conference is to learn about the effects of trauma and toxic stress on the body, how the community can work together to prevent childhood trauma, and make the systemic changes needed to reduce childhood trauma and suicide.
There is no cost for the conference and meals will be provided. All behavioral health and primary care providers, law enforcement personnel, educators, childcare providers and early childhood professionals, social service workers, as well as civic leaders, tribal leaders, the business community and members of the general public are invited to attend.
The conference builds on the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition’s conference last year, “Trauma and Suicide: Breaking the Link.” That event drew 175 participants. This year, organizers are expecting more than 200 to attend.
This year’s conference will include keynote speakers and workshops on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and suicide, suicide risk and ACEs assessment in primary care, historical and intergenerational trauma, trauma-informed schools and structures, and “Collective Impact” — a framework to mobilize community efforts to address a complex problem.
The conference is being funded through a grant from the state Division of Behavioral Health Prevention Services. To register and learn more about the conference, go to www.juneausuicideprevention.org.
