2008 Annual Conference

SPAN Idaho presented its eighth annual conference in September of 2008 at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.

Keynote Presenters and Special Guests

SPAN Idaho welcomed keynote speakers Dr. Larry Dewey and Seamus McCarthy.  Dr. Dewey is the Chief of Psychiatry and Clinical Director of Mental Health Services at the VA Medical Center in Boise.  After opening remarks by SPAN Idaho Past President Dr. Kirby Orme, Dr. Dewey presented an insightful and moving keynote address titled, “The Burden of Killing in Combat Related to PTSD.  ”Mr. McCarthy is the producer of the film “Seeing Our Way Through,” a thirty minute documentary about the loss of his father to suicide, and he and his family’s journey toward healing.  Mr. McCarthy presented this touching film during a concurrent session and delivered a poignant and powerful keynote address which opened the second day of the conference.

Special guest Jerry Reed, MSW, PhD, is the Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and previous Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA).  Dr. Reed provided a very enlightening update on national and world suicide prevention issues and efforts during the lunch session on the first day.  He also presented his own research on suicide by older adults during a concurrent session that day.

Concurrent Sessions

Four concurrent tracks where provided:  Trauma and Suicide, Youth Services, Older Adults and Survivor Support.  Speakers for the sessions in these tracks included Bobby Smith, PhD, Author, and Director of the Foundation for Officers Recovering from Traumatic Events; Dan McDonald, CSW, of the Boise VA Medical Center specializing in military and civilian disaster type PTSD; Ann Flickinger, RN, MSN, CS, of the Boise VA Medical Center; Ann Kirkwood, Senior Research Associate for Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health; Roberto Negron, MD and Boise Psychiatrist; John Hanks, MD, Boise Pediatrician and SPAN Idaho Co-Founder; Peter Wollheim, PhD, Idaho Council on Suicide Prevention Co-chair and SPAN Idaho Co-Founder; David Kent, MD and Boise Psychiatrist; and a survivor panel including Jeni Griffin, Roma Hawkins, Linda Mael, Trudy Jackson and Karen Petit.

Other sessions included “The Role of Clergy in Suicide Prevention and Postvention” by Rev. Fred Hoadley, PhD, Director, Methodist Counseling Center; “Question, Persuade & Refer Gatekeeper Training” by Catherine Perusse, QPR Trainer; “Dual Diagnosis and Suicide Prevention” by Cory Alexander, MD and Child/Adolescent Psychologist; and a SPAN Chapter Chairperson panel including: Maggi Alsager, RN, Karen Cotton, Mark Lopshire and Jeni Griffin.

Awards and Special Presentations

A SPAN Idaho recognition award was presented to Dr. Kirby Orme, SPAN Idaho Immediate Past President and survivor, for his courageous efforts in advocacy.  A second recognition award was presented to Dr. Peter Wollheim, Idaho Council on Suicide Prevention Co-Chair, for his decades of work and commitment to suicide prevention.

Idaho Council on Suicide Prevention Co-chair Kathie Garrett read a Governor’s proclamation declaring the week of September 7, 2008 Suicide Prevention Week in Idaho.

 In Memory Of

Survivors and other conference participants walked through the center of campus.to a fountain where each person lit a candle in remembrance of those lost to suicide.  Seamus McCarthy and SPAN President Gary Young addressed the group in attendance in a moving tribute to friends and family no longer with us.

The conference was a wonderful learning opportunity and provided support and networking to survivors, advocates and professionals from all over Idaho.