Our nation has been in the midst of a suicide epidemic—one that has been growing in size for more than 20 years—and the veteran community has been one of the hardest hit.
In 2019, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) teamed up with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to create The Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicide, an initiative that combines federal efforts with those of local leaders. The Governor’s Challenge is underway in 35 states—including New York—and has sought to apply a public health approach to developing and implementing a strategy for preventing veteran suicide.
Join NYHealth; SAMHSA’s Service Members, Veterans and their Families Technical Assistance Center (SVMF TA Center); and the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services for a two-day virtual conference on November 2 and November 3 focused on veteran suicide prevention efforts and the impact of The Governor’s Challenge in New York State. Panelists will provide insights on the progress made throughout New York; share best practices for discussing suicide with loved ones; highlight services aimed at identifying and addressing the needs of high-risk populations; and identify other innovative approaches to preventing veteran suicide.
Conference Dates:
Part I: Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Part II: Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 9:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Register for the conference here.
Agenda
Part I: Tuesday, November 2, 2021
9:30 a.m.–9:40 a.m.
Opening remarks: David Sandman, Ph.D., President and CEO, New York Health Foundation (NYHealth)
9:40 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Keynote: Matthew A. Miller, Ph.D., M.P.H., Executive Director, VA Suicide Prevention; Acting Executive Director, PREVENTS, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.
Panel 1: A Tough Conversation: Dispelling myths and sharing best practices for talking about suicide
– Moderator: Derek Coy, Veterans’ Health Officer, NYHealth
– Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Columbia Lighthouse Project at Columbia University
– Heather Kelly, Ph.D., Professional Staff Member, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Majority
– Patrice Sullivan, Manager, Community Resources, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS); Surviving significant other of Marine Veteran Sergeant Thomas J. Donaldson
11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.
Panel 2: The Governor’s Challenge and New York State: An overview, update, and look ahead
– Moderator: Duane France, Co-Director, SAMHSA’s SMVF TA Center
– Michelle Cleary, Behavioral Health and Addiction Prevention Advocate
– Joe Geraci, Ph.D., LMHC, Co-Director, Transitioning Servicemember/Veteran and Suicide Prevention Center (TASC), VA
– Marianne Goodman, M.D., Director, Suicide Prevention and Care Center, James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
11:50 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks: Avital Havusha, Vice President, Programs, NYHealth
Part II: Wednesday, November 3, 2021
9:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Opening remarks: Derek Coy, Veterans’ Health Officer, NYHealth
10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.
Panel 3: High-risk Populations: Identifying and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable
– Moderator: Andrea Goldstein, Navy Veteran and National Security Professional
– Richard Brookshire, Co-Founder and Board Chair, Black Veterans Project
– Wendy McClinton, President/CEO, Black Veterans for Social Justice
– Ashton Stewart, Manager, SAGEVets Program, SAGE
11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.
Panel 4: Legal Services and Suicide Prevention: Innovative approaches beyond the clinical environment
– Moderator: Benjamin Pomerance, Esq., Deputy Director for Program Development, New York State Division of Veterans’ Services
– Coco Culhane, Executive Director, Veteran Advocacy Project
– Pete Kempner, J.D., Legal Director, Volunteers of Legal Service; Founder of New York Law School’s Veterans Justice Clinic
– Beth Kubala, Executive Director, Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, Syracuse University
11:50 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks: Derek Coy, Veterans’ Health Officer, NYHealth