Webinars

United Survivors hosts free webinars with a variety of experts in the field of lived experience and suicide prevention. We invite you to join US for upcoming webinars or to watch a webinar that we’ve already offered. Click on the buttons below to see webinars that were promoted that year.

2021 Webinars & Older

December 2021 – “The ‘Suicidal Risk’ Stigma and Seeking SUD Treatment” with Dr. Marlon Rollins

November 2021 – Suicide Loss in the Workplace: What You Need to Know and How to Help with Dr. Doreen Marshall

September 2021 – When it’s Darkest: Making Sense of Suicide with Professor Rory O’Connor

July 2021 – Strength, Resilience, & Growth: The Power Within BIPOC & Experiences with Mental Health with Vic Armstrong, Philip Cooper, Doug Middleton

May 2021 – 988 What to Expect From the Three Digit Lifeline with John Draper, David Covington, Margie Balfour, Lisa St George

March 2021 – “Warrior Care: The Fight After the Battle” With MG (ret.) Mark Graham, MSG (ret.) Chris Jachimiec, Dr. Justin Baker, and Wendy Lasko

January 2021 – “Indigenous Approaches to Upstream Suicide Prevention: A Global Panel” With Kim Senklip-Harvey, Leilani Darwin, and Shelby Rowe

October 2021 – Adoption and Suicide Prevention: Adult Adoptees Speak Out with Jessenia Parmer, Amanda Transue-Woolston, Kevin Barhydt, and Lynelle Long

August 2021 – How Much is Enough? Lessons Learned on Mental Health from Elite Athletes with Tish Guerin, Jay Harrison, Breezy Johnson, Dr. William Parham

June 2021 – First Responders and Suicide Response: Better Understanding, Better Outcomes with Sergeant Kevin Briggs, Det. Jason Klaus, Assist. Chief Manny Almaguer, Dr. Chris Caulkins

April 2021 – “Eye of the Survivor: Your Hero’s Journey of Surviving Suicide” with Sally Spencer-Thomas, Ursula Whiteside, and Leilani Darwin

February 2021 – “Thriving Beyond Surviving: Mental Resilience in the Black Community” With Vic Armstrong, Fonda Bryant, and Rwenshaun Miller

2020

February 2020 – Social Justice, Racial Equity & Suicide Prevention with Dr. Pata Suyemoto and Jennifer Kelliher

May 2020 – “Lived Experience Meets Research” with Jacinta Hawgood and Bronwen Edwards

October 2020 – “Young People Share DBT Skills: Real Stories of Surviving and Coping through Suicidal Crises” and Ursula Whiteside and the NMN Ambassadors

August 2020 – “Suicide Prevention: The Evidence Base, Lived Experience, and the Journey to Clinical Readiness” With Ted Bonar

April 2020 – Social Justice, Racial Equity & Suicide Prevention with Dr. Pata Suyemoto and Jennifer Kelliher

November 2020 – “Liability Issues in Suicide Care: A Lawyer Informed by Lived Expertise” with Skip Simpson

September 2020 – “Standing in Solidarity: The Voices of Lived Experience” with Ted Figlock, Cheryl Micoch, Vanessa McGann and Matt Runnalls

November 2020 – “The Role of a Counselor” With Rosie Bauder

December 2020 – “A Fireside Chat: Making Meaning after Suicide Loss” with Sam Webb

2019

October 2019 – “Beyond the Brain: Soul Exhaustion and Suicide Prevention,” by Sarah Gaer

September 2019 – “We’ve Been Too Patient: Lessons Learned from Radical Perspectives,” by Kelechi Ubozoh

June 2019 – “Firefighters and Resilience, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention” presented by Assistant Chief Nate Stoermer

March 2019 – “You Can’t Unring a Bell,” presented by Heidi Bryan

January 2019 – Turning it Around: From Preventing Suicide to Personal Growth” presented by Dr. Dequincy “Quix” Lezine

October 2019 – “Launching the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention”

August 2019 – “What Could Lived Experience Look Like in Healthcare?” presented by Bart Andrews, PhD

May 2019 – “Live, Learn, and Grow,” presented by Craig Miller, Author

February 2019 – “Children Who Grieve: How Suicide Impacts Children” presented by Karen Moyer and Sebastian Slovin

2018

December 2018 – “Clinicians and Suicide Loss: What We Know and What We Can Do” presented by Dr. Nina Gutin

October 2018 – “The Heart of A Suicide Intervention: the Research and Story of CAMS” presented by David Jobes, Ph.D.

Additional Resources:

August 2018 – “DOGS: A Medication without Side Effects” presented by Matthew Decker

June 2018 – June is Men’s Health Month, and this webinar helps to bring mental well-being into the overall health conversation by giving men tools for resilience during and after the transition of divorce.

March 2018 – “Suicide and Firearms: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?” presented by Clint and Joanie Malarchuk and Dr. Michael Anestis

A growing body of research shows the role of firearms in suicide and that a cultural shift towards suicide-specific safe gun ownership can reduce suicide deaths. Dr. Michael Anestis shares his research and findings in leveraging common ground in the pursuit of lower suicide rates. Clint Malarchuk, along with his wife Joanie, share his story of surviving his suicide attempt with a firearm and what steps can be taken at the individual and family level to reduce suicide with firearms.

We advise caution as you listen to this webinar and if you are in need of support we encourage you to reach out to the National Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or through the Crisis Text Line by texting START to 741741.

February 2018 – “Youth Advocacy and Resiliency in the LGBTQ Communities: Insights from the Trevor Project”

Chris Bright of the Trevor Project presents on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Youth serving professionals will learn hands on techniques for supporting LGBTQ young people. This workshop combines research, case studies, best practice recommendations, and practical steps for reducing the risk of suicide and promoting resiliency in all young people with an emphasis on education and support for Trans/GNC young people.

November 2018 – “Addressing Death with Dignity/Physician Assisted Suicide” presented by Ken Norton, LCSW

September 2018 – “When the Professional is Personal: Lessons from Lived Experience of Suicidality & Helping the Suicidal Person” presented by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

July 2018 – “Dignity of Choice: Care and Compassion During Mental Health Crises” presented by Rudy Caseres

Too often individuals experiencing suicidal crisis are not provided with the care and compassion appropriate to their situation. Hospitalization is not always the most optimal solution. Due to conventional and long held beliefs this is most frequently seen as the only option. Survivors are being given more opportunity and to provide alternative actions in regards to crisis response. Using these personal experiences to guide support, people who are experiencing crisis can maintain dignity, choice and control over what happens to them.

May 2018 – “The Missing Peace: Making Meaning of the Pain from the Past” presented by Cheryl Sharp

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) shows a strong correlation between what has happened in childhood and the increase in suicide attempts later in life. While the correlation is strong, ACEs are not destiny.

This webinar explores how our past impacts our present as well as how we can learn to move beyond that pain. The potential paths to hope and healing create opportunities to make meaning of our pain and move towards a life out of the darkness.

March 2018 – “The Art and Science of Storytelling in Suicide Prevention” presented by Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas

When we are able to inspire others with our stories of recovery from suicidal despair or suicide grief, we give them hope. And hope is the antidote to suicide. This webinar provides an introduction on how to tell one’s story of suicide despair and/or suicide grief. We will cover a brief overview of the “art and science” of the process including why storytelling is important to the storyteller as well as the audience, safe and effective messaging, and the craft of creating a compelling and inspiring narrative.

January 2018 – “Cultivating your Unconquerable Spirit: Nurturing Personal Growth and Strength after a Suicide Attempt” presented by Shelby Rowe

Shelby Rowe intertwines evidence-based suicide prevention best practices with her own experience. She walks us through her journey to recovery, shares the post traumatic growth that’s taken place, and shares her 6 steps to cultivating resiliency.

2017

December 2017 – “Let Their Voices Be Heard: How Family and Friends of People Living Through Suicide Crises are Allies” presented by Annemarie Matulis and Marcia Epstein

With over 11 million individuals having experienced suicidal thoughts, feelings, or attempts you can only imagine the number of caring family-friends who are also impacted. Learn more about available and needed self-care and educational resources for family-friends, in ongoing relationship, of people living with suicide thoughts and attempts; the benefits of including these family-friends in all aspects of suicide prevention; and ways to increase the involvement in the national suicide prevention community of these family-friends.

October 2017 – “Responding to Grief, Trauma, and Distress After a Suicide: A Look at the National Guidelines” presented by Franklin Cook and Joanne Harpel

May 2017 – “Appreciative Inquiry of People with Lived Experience with Suicide (Loss, Attempts, Thoughts/Feelings, Allies)” by Sally Spencer-Thomas, Eduardo Vega, and Ursula Whiteside

Learn more about United Suicide Survivors International and hear others input into our movement.

November 2017 – “Everyone Needs a Crisis Plan: Planning for the Worst while Thriving Forward” presented by Dr. Ursula Whiteside

As suicide survivors become suicide prevention change agents and suicide grief support advocates, self-care is paramount. Preparing for the hard work of disclosing our stories, facing discrimination and prejudice and doing the on-going work of maintaining our wellness all requires a strong skill set. Sometimes, despite our best efforts in resilience, a mental health crisis can re-emerge. Thus, we need a crisis plan in place BEFORE the crisis strikes.

August 2017 – “Change for Change Agents” presented by Eduardo Vega

United Suicide Survivors International welcomes Eduardo Vega to talk about “Change for Change Agents” and how to bring the voice of lived experience into their organizations and understand the mechanics of transformational change.