Northeast WI Suicide Prevention Summit
Bouncing Back
Change the Conversation.
Join us in March 2024 for a summit developed to promote awareness of suicide, deepening our understanding of key questions: Who is most vulnerable? What are the risk factors? How can we reach out and help? Summit details will be announced in early 2024.
Save the Date for 2024
Join us virtually February 29, 2024. Our theme will be "Adjusting Our Sails to Changing Times." More details will be announced in early 2024.
Date
Thursday, May 11, 2023
8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Format
Virtual
Zoom link will be provided upon registration
Investment
$99 Continuing Education (CE)
$25 Students/No CE
Partners
In partnership with UW Oshkosh and the Center for Suicide Awareness
2023 Agenda
8-8:30 a.m.
Registration
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Bailey James
Multi-Genre Vocalist, Guitarist & Songwriter
Keynote: Healing Through Music
This session will explore Bailey's personal journey with mental health. She struggled with OCD her whole life, and her family struggled to understand what was going on in her brain. She will share how she coped with medication and her process of weaning off. Her journey also includes her brother Zane and how his fight with his mental health and death impacted her life and path of making music.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand that music is a wonderful coping skill and heals the heart
- Gain insight to the mental health journey
- Have a safe conversation regarding suicide
9:30-9:45 a.m.
Break
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Justin Rank
Trauma Survivor
Surviving Suicide(s)
Justin's story is about experiencing tragic losses as a child, the impact it had on him in his developing years, and how he's doing as an adult.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain confidence in dealing with trauma
- Grow enthusiasm for persevering and moving forward despite the impacts of loss
10:45-11 a.m.
Break
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Diana Cortez Yanez
Public Speaker & Advocate
Don't Leave Before the Miracle Happens
Diana's will share her life story―from the darkest of the dark up to the beautiful life she gets to live today. She gave up several times in a life full of challenges She felt she could not overcome, and yet with faith, hope and her support circle she has been able to not only survive but thrive!
Learning outcomes:
- Learn how to overcome struggles and suicidality
- Grow awareness about suicide and its prevention
12-12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45-1:45 p.m.
Chris Amos
Chaplain & Author
A Journey Back from the Abyss
From personal experience this presentation addresses the depths of hopelessness, when suicide seems like the only answer, encompassing the moment of decision, the wavering, and the long road back. Chris will share the resources drawn upon to leave the very thought of suicide in the rear-view mirror of life and the hope that will make even the most trying of times and seasons still be worth living for. Additionally, some practical tips/tools will be provided to those who may have co-workers, friends or family members they worry may be contemplating or are vulnerable to suicide.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain tips to unmasking the guilt, shame and secrecy often surrounding suicide before it takes place
- Acquire the means to help identify "potential" signs of those at risk of committing suicide
- Learn practical steps that can be immediately taken by family friends and/or co-workers to help someone in crisis until professional help becomes available
1:45-2 p.m.
Break
2-3 p.m.
Tim Markle
Founder & Director, Forgiveness Factor
It's Time to Write a New Story
Forgiveness may help prevent suicide. We will look at some research on forgiveness and suicide, but we will focus on learning the Dr. Enright model of forgiveness and how we can use it as a tool in suicide prevention. Forgiveness has been researched and found to be an effective tool in counseling. Ongoing research is showing the value of forgiveness in the areas of suicide prevention. Forgiveness is not regularly practiced but should be considered as a tool for people working to prevent suicide. We will teach one model of forgiveness, as well as reflect on the presenter’s mental health journey and how forgiveness has worked as a protective factor.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain an understanding of the Enright Process Model for Forgiveness
- Examine the intersection between suicide prevention and the practice of forgiveness
- Reflect on one story of forgiveness as a protective factor against further self-harm
3-3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15-4:15 p.m.
Speaker Symposium – SOS Kaukauna
The individual members of the SOS group share their journeys and challenges after the sudden death of someone close by suicide. Learn better understanding of how the survivors of suicide cope with the death of a loved one.
Panel Members: Justin Rank, Bonnie Coonen, Mike & Joann Hopfensperger, Harry & Lois Porath
4:15 p.m.
Conclusion
Keynote Speaker
Bailey James
Multi-Genre Vocalist, Guitarist & SongwriterBailey James is lighting up Music City with her sophisticated, soulful country music. She has released 19 singles and an EP during her six-year tenure in Nashville, all since turning 12 years old. She has laid it down at the legendary Bluebird Cafe, Douglas Corner, The Listening Room, Wildhorse Saloon and has been featured at WSM, home of the Grand Ole Opry Radio Station.
A multi-genre vocalist, guitarist and songwriter with over 250,000 fans across her social media platforms, Bailey released her single "Finally Free" July of 2021. It was named Opry Circle Song of the week and charted #42 on Billboard Indicator. She is also a Golden Ticket alum of American Idol 2019.
In addition, this rising country songstress and social media sensation was appointed as the first National Youth Advocate for The Jason Foundation. She is dedicated to raising awareness for suicide prevention through education and empowerment on behalf of this important non-profit organization both in her live shows and across her social media. This honor places Bailey alongside longtime Jason Foundation musical ambassadors Rascal Flatts and the late Charlie Daniels.
Presenters
Justin Rank
Trauma SurvivorBorn and raised in Ripon, WI, Justin is a survivor of multiple tragedies with a passion for helping others and driving mental health awareness. Justin regularly volunteers with the Center of Suicide Awareness to share his story and the impact his experiences has had on his life and relationships. Justin currently lives in the Fox Valley and works as a Talent Acquisition Manager at Werner Electric Supply.
Diana Cortez Yanez
Public Speaker & AdvocateAfter spending 30 years in the behavioral health system, as a patient, and having made multiple attempts on her life, Diana experienced a life changing evidence-based therapy. She is now an international public speaker and advocate for suicide prevention, as well as a peer specialist. Her passion is sharing what she has gleaned from those experiences as to what helped and what was not so helpful, in order to save lives. As a peer specialist, Diana has been able to experience both sides of the health system, as a patient and as a peer working alongside patients. This has given her a holistic experience in which to help others.
Chris Amos
Chaplain & AuthorChris retired from the Norfolk (VA) Police Department in 2014 after a 27-year career. In 1998, Chris was ordained as a minister in the Norfolk Circuit Court. He currently serves as a chaplain for the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and Blue Magazine. Chris has authored There is Hope, And Other Lessons Learned by a Christian Cop. He is currently working on his second book, From Bad to Worse, Trusting God When All Hell Breaks Loose. Bad to Worse documents the 8-week journey taken by his family concerning the tragic death of his son Seth, a 10-year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department.
Tim Markle
Founder & Director
Forgiveness Factor
Tim Markle is founder and director of Forgiveness Factor. Forgiveness Factor exists to promote forgiveness as a way to live mentally well. Tim teaches classes, workshops, seminars and speaks about forgiveness, suicide prevention, and addiction recovery in Wisconsin and nationally. In July of 2022, Tim was presented with the Healing Hearts Hero Award at the International Agape Love and Forgiveness Conference for “his years of commitment to helping others learn about the virtues of self-forgiveness and interpersonal forgiveness.” Tim is married, has two adult children and lives in Stoughton, WI. Forgiveness is what he does for fun as he is employed by the Waisman Center at UW-Madison. You can contact Tim through Forgiveness Factor at www.forgivenessfactor.org.
Need Guidance?
We’re here to help.
If you have questions about the conference, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Program Specialists.