PIBHS-Partners in Behavior Health Sciences-University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Pathways into Hope: Arkansas Youth Suicide Prevention Conference 2007
Youth Suicide Prevention Poster Contest Winner Artwork courtesy of Attorney General’s Office

Conference Date: Saturday, March 17, 2007
Location: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Fay Boozman College of Public Health
4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205

Cost: 7-12 grade and college students = Free
****All adults = $10.00 help cover cost of meals****

Contact for more information:
Chris Rule, jcrule@uams.edu Ph: 660-7518
Shelia Romes, sdromes@uams.edu Ph: 660-7550
FAX: 660-7542

*2007 Arkansas Youth Suicide Prevention Conference Registration is Currently Full - Please contact Chris Rule if you need special admission to the conference.

Conference Description

In 2005, data from the Centers for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey for Arkansas reported suicide as the third leading cause of death in children 5-14 as well as for adolescents and young adults 15-24 years old. Psychiatric and behavioral disorders, including depression, can have devastating effects during adolescence and often lead to school failure, violence and suicide. Moreover, research indicates that depressed youths are being seriously under-diagnosed and under-treated, causing a great burden to both individuals and society. This conference will bring together students and teachers, school administrators, mental health professionals and policy makers, advocates and family members to learn more about suicide prevention and interventions in Arkansas. The conference combines scientific presentations and discussion with motivational speakers and interactive sessions for students. Attendees to the conference will be presented with the following topics:

Current understanding of the origins of youth suicide

Research on risk and protective factors, minority populations and suicide

Best practices in suicide prevention and intervention

A discussion on developing community-based strategies to prevent youth suicide

This conference is intended for public and private school student leaders in grades 7-12, school administrators and teachers, college students and professors, mental health professionals, policy makers and stakeholders from the general public.

Conference Hosts: Arkansas Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Scientific Advisory Council

Advisory Council Instituions/Organizations: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Psychiatric Research Institute; UAMS College of Public Health; Arkansas Attorney General’s Office; Arkansas Department of Education; Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Arkansas;

Additional Conference Supporters: Hendrix College Psychology Department and Psychology Club; University of Arkansas at Little Rock, School of Social Work; Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation;

Youth Suicide Prevention Poster Contest Winner Artwork courtesy of Attorney General’s Office

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Click here for the workshop registration form.

Click here for an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format of 2007 Youth Suicide Conference (two pages)