2006 Annual Conference

SPAN Idaho
SIXTH ANNUAL SUICIDE PREVETNION CONFERENCE
Coming Together: Partnering for Suicide Prevention in Idaho
November 30 – December 1, 2006

In 2006, SPAN Idaho presented its sixth annual conference in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Idaho Chapter. Attendees participated in four concurrent session tracks, three plenary sessions, an awards ceremony and a remembrance event.

Outstanding Keynote Presenter and Special Guests

SPAN Idaho welcomed keynote speaker Beverly Cobain, a survivor of three family suicides including that of her cousin Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of the band Nirvana, who killed himself in 1994. Ms. Cobain is a nurse and author of two books, When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens and Dying to Be Free: A Healing Guide for Families After a Suicide. Ms. Cobain delivered a poignant presentation both from a personal a professional point of view.

Specials guests Tony and Lois Two Bears, members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota, shared their story of healing after the death of their son by suicide. The Two Bears also presented many relevant details regarding a program to help tribal youth in their area.

Special guest, Sue Eastgard, Executive Director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program in Seattle, WA, delivered an energetic and positive message about programs in the State of Washington to support youth.

Concurrent Sessions

A variety of sessions were conducted during four concurrent tracks: Community Organization, Strategic Planning & Political Advocacy; Law Enforcement & Corrections; Health Care Professionals – Assessment & Planning; and Suicide Prevention Plans for Schools & Universities. Speakers for the sessions in these tracks included Sue Eastgard, Executive Director of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program in Seattle, WA; Mary Perrien, Chief of Psychology at the Idaho Department of Corrections; Pierce Murphy, Boise City Ombudsman; Ryan Hulbert, Psychologist and Clinical Services Administrator for the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections; Roberto Negron, Psychiatrist in private practice and President of the Idaho Psychiatric Association; Carol Pangburn, Associate Director of Boise State University’s Counseling Services; Sandy Rumple, Head of Counseling for the Boise School District; Ann Kirkwood, Senior Research Associate for Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health and others.

Speaker Panel

A panel of keynote speakers and track facilitators discussed their individual priority messages on suicide prevention and took questions from the entire group of conference attendees.

Recognition Award

SPAN Idaho recognized Representative Margaret Henbest for her years of service to the effort of suicide prevention Idaho. Representative Henbest is a long-time proponent of suicide prevention and was largely responsible for the creation of Idaho’s Suicide Prevention Plan in 2002 and 2003. She has continued to support prevention-related legislation in subsequent years.

In Memory Of

Survivors and other conference participants sat quietly with candles in a softly lit room to remember those lost to suicide. Rich Jackson, a survivor of suicide, spoke to the group in attendance in a moving tribute.