Per the American Association of Suicidology and the Center for Disease Control, suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death overall in the US, is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-34 year-olds, and as of 2018 the crude suicide rate is the highest crude rate observed in the United States in the last 50 years. There has been a nearly 30% increase in suicide deaths nationwide since 1999 and Massachusetts is one of 25 states in the US in which the suicide rate has increased more than 30%. Also, per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Berkshires has chronically been among the counties with the highest rates of suicide in the Commonwealth. To continue to work to combat these trends, this conference aims to increase both clinical and general community knowledge in the Berkshires of 1) national and local data trends in suicide deaths; 2) best practices, trainings, and resources in suicide prevention; 3) the application of this information to high-risk populations in Berkshire County with a focus on youth (56% increase nationally among youth ages 10-24 between 2007-2017) and first responders (first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the Line of Duty); and 4) how to incorporate resiliency and self-care into the context of suicide prevention.

Hosted by The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Hancock, MA for 6.5 CEs. For more info, visit: briencenter.org.