2004 Annual Conference

SPAN Idaho
FOURTH ANNUAL SUICIDE PREVENTION CONFERENCE
Learning Together to Save Lives
November 17 – 19, 2004

Community support was evident in the attendance at SPAN Idaho's November 2005 Suicide Prevention Conference. A diverse group of professionals, family survivors, and concerned citizens from all regions of the state gathered to "Learn Together To Save Lives."

The conference was organized into four areas to address identified needs in Idaho: Survivor Support, Law Enforcement, School-Based Prevention, and Faith-Based Prevention.

A highlight of the conference was a "Memorial Walk" which gave family, friends, and supporters time to remember and grieve those loved ones lost through suicide. Participants honored their loved ones by walking together and bringing a pair of shoes to the steps of the state Capitol building. Father Charles T. Rubey gave a memorial address. The participants enjoyed an outstanding musical performance by Capital High School Choir.

Iris Bolton and Peter Wollheim at
the 2004 Conference.

Other Conference Highlights:

Keynote Address:
Patricia Kempthorne gave an introductory keynote address emphasizing the importance of mental health and reaching out to individuals with love and support. Mrs. Kempthorne shared personal stories and reminded attendees that most suicides are preventable.

Suicide Prevention 101
Dr. David Litts returned to Idaho, back by popular demand, and gave a comprehensive overview of suicide prevention. David Litts, O.D. is a Managing Director at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. He assisted with the writing of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and has a unique, national and knowledgeable perspective on suicide prevention. He gave a dynamic and informative presentation.

Suicide Survivor Track:
"Survivor Support is prevention" was the all-important message of the Survivor Track. Presenter Iris Bolton addressed survivor support in meaningful ways. Bolton shared her personal mission as a survivor, her journey to learn and prevent deaths by suicide, and her professional expertise and life-long work of delivering care to survivors.

Mrs. Bolton offered tips to understand and be effective with survivor support, pointing out that grieving a loss through suicide is unique, and helpers need to be sensitive to a person's readiness to attend support groups. More can be learned from her book, My Son, My Son, A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss, or Suicide.

School-Based Prevention Track
Dennis Dunn shared information and anecdotes from his work as an educator in Kenai, Alaska. Creating a positive school climate is the key to effectiveness with at-risk youth, according to Dunn, who gave attendees hands-on ideas to achieve this.
A five-student panel of local Boise-Area high school students inspired the audience with their honesty, integrity, and humor as they discussed their experiences at school and shared ideas they have seen helpful to their peers.

Law Enforcement Prevention Track
James H. Earle has a special point of view on suicide prevention. He served as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 24 years and lost his 27-year-old son to suicide in February 1999. Dr. Earle is co-author of "Suicide First Responders, A Training Manual for Professionals Who Respond to Suicides." His presentation discussed the following topics:

how to create a better understanding of what survivors of a suicide death are dealing with and help reduce any additional trauma
how to create an awareness of the "splash over" trauma that may impact the first responders
how to provide the first responders with tools and resources they might use in dealing with living survivors of a suicide death
how to identify the most helpful strategies to use in the immediate aftermath of suicide

Faith-Based Suicide Prevention Track
Reverend Charles T. Rubey, LCSW as the founder of LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide - established 1979) offered very helpful information on how to respond to a suicide in a faith-based setting. A multi-denominational panel of speakers shared with the audience their experience. He is the Associate Administrator and Associate Director of Programs for the Catholic Charities of Chicago.