While the topic of suicide has been frequently in the media in response to the deaths of celebrities and local residents alike, mental health experts believe that communication about suicide and contributing factors needs to increase not only in the media, but also — and especially — with educators and families.
To reinforce the importance of education about mental health and related disorders, including substance use, and to build awareness of resources, the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies and Attitudes In Reverse (AIR) present the third annual National Suicide Prevention Day conference, “Back to School: Take a Breath — and Pack a Good Mental Health Tool Kit,” on Tuesday, September 8. The free event will take place at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, 222 South Warren Street, first floor conference room, in Trenton. Parking is available across the street in the Wyndham Hotel garage.
The conference is for everyone because everyone has mental health, which is in turn integral to overall health. Mental health and substance use disorders are real illnesses, often co-occur, and must be recognized and treated as soon as possible. Bullying, stress, traumatic family situations, difficulties in social relationships, physical and mental illnesses, and other challenges can lead to risk of suicide among children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death among 5 to 14 year-olds.
Attendees will learn how critical education about mental health and related disorders is to save lives and its proven impact. Personal stories will be shared, and experts will discuss suicide prevention, self-harm, and overdosing. The therapeutic benefits of working with dogs will be highlighted, as they are a key component of AIR’s program, AIR Dogs: Paws for Minds.
“Students have genuinely opened up about their struggles after participating in Coming Up for AIR presentations, clearly demonstrating that the education is helping to save their lives,” say Tricia and Kurt Baker, Plainsboro residents who co-founded AIR after their son, Kenny, committed suicide in 2009 following a struggle with depression. “We have observed this directly and have also learned this through comments received from students, teachers, and principals following our visits with various schools.”
NJAMHAA and AIR remain committed to breaking down the oppressing stigma surrounding substance use and mental health disorders, since it is the biggest barrier faced by those seeking treatment. Through their annual conferences, they aim to build awareness about mental health and substance use disorders and valuable resources to help ensure that individuals can recognize when they or others may need help and they are willing and able to seek help. Education is an extremely important proactive measure everyone can take part in to save lives.
“Education is essential not only for recognizing mental health and substance use disorders, but also for eliminating stigma so individuals are both willing and able to seek services,” says Debra L. Wentz, Ph.D., chief executive officer of NJAMHAA. “Equally essential is to ensure prompt access to services, and the Boys & Girls Clubs Keystone Law is a significant, positive step toward achieving this goal.” NJAMHAA is a statewide trade association representing community-based providers of mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment and support services.
Talks include “Education Is Essential for Saving Lives,” Kurt and Tricia Baker; “The Many Therapeutic Benefits of Working with Dogs beyond Pet Therapy Per Se,” Eriach Fox, managing director of Daytop New Jersey; “Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality among Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” Lucille Esralew, PhD, clinical administrator, Trinitas Regional Medical Center; “Reinforcing the Overdose Prevention Law,” Paul Ressler, president and CEO, Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation; and “Battling Stigma of Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders,” Celina Levy, acting executive director, Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.”
Suicide Prevention Conference, Attitudes in Reverse, Department of Human Services, 222 South Warren Street, Trenton. Tuesday, September 8, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Back to School: Take a Breath and Pack a Good Mental Health Tool Kit” for community members, parents, and professionals in the education, behavioral health, and medical fields to learn how to educate youth about mental health, related disordered, and suicide prevention. Register. Free. www.attitudesinreverse.org.
