2024

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Firearm Suicide Prevention: A nascent approach to preventing suicide in rural southeast Missouri.

Room Paradise Ballroom B

Speaker(s):

Katie Ellison, MS, MA, NCC & Racheal Ward, MA

Description

In 2022, approximately 50,000 Americans tragically lost their lives to suicide, and a concerning majority—over half—chose to end their lives with firearms. Recognizing the gravity of this issue, the U.S. Surgeon General underscores the importance of integrating lethal means safety into a comprehensive public health strategy aimed at preventing suicides. Addressing firearm suicide prevention in rural Missouri poses a unique challenge, as communities deeply entrenched in shooting sports view interventions as potentially antagonistic. Embarking on a groundbreaking initiative, the Safer Homes Collaborative, supported by grant funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health, unites the expertise of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the Family Counseling Center. Together, they are dedicated to elevating awareness about lethal means safety strategies that can delay, deter, and prevent suicide.

Objectives

    • Gain a profound understanding of the novelty inherent in a learning grant, specifically aimed at exploring innovative methods to integrate lethal means safety into a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention.
    • Explain how the collection of qualitative data is undertaken to assess and appraise the evolving mental frameworks of stakeholders actively involved in firearm suicide prevention.
    • Detail the insights gained in crafting messaging and media campaigns when tackling sensitive topics, emphasizing the lessons learned in navigating challenging subject matter.
    • Acknowledge the insights gained, barriers encountered during implementation, and the proactive approach taken to transform challenges into opportunities and reshape strategies.
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Prevent Suicide in Jails and Prisons: Save Lives and Avoid Lawsuits

Room Paradise Ballroom B

Speaker(s):

AE Daniel, MD, MRC Psych

Description

Suicide is the number one cause of death in US jails and the third cause in prisons. Inmates are among the highest risk group for suicide worldwide.
Suicide is a major public health issue. We have the highest rate of incarceration among the developed countries. Only 4.4 % of people in the world live in the US. However, 22.4 % of all incarcerated people in the world are in the US jails and prisons.
The emotional and financial consequences and legal ramifications of suicide are staggering. Millions of dollars are paid out to the survivors.
How can deaths by suicide behind bars be prevented; how can we save lives; how can the stakeholders of jails and prisons avoid lawsuits?
This course is for the correctional officers, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, physicians, nurses, therapists, and mental health workers, who work in these facilities and come into direct contact with inmates who could potentially take their lives. In my view, these professionals are the eyes and ears of suicide prevention.
The course is also directed to administrators such as Sheriffs, Wardens, Chief administrators of prisons, shift commanders, trainers and policymakers.
This highly informative, instructive and inspiring course pulls from my 20 years of clinical experience, research on suicide in correctional settings and expert consultations on lawsuits.

 

Objectives

    • Discuss the what, how and why of inmate suicide
    • Separate myths from facts of custodial suicide
    • Identify risk and protective factors to prevent suicide and save lives
    • Describe how to perform proper suicide screening and suicide risk assessment
    • Describe ways on how to be the eyes and ears of suicide prevention, monitoring, and treatment of suicidal inmate
    • Discover how to navigate policies, procedures and practices to avoid lawsuits
    • Review basic principles of legal decision-making in medical negligence and deliberate indifference lawsuits

 

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Somatic Therapies and Trauma: Healing for the Whole Self

Room Parasol II

Speaker(s):

Heather Gargis, MA, LPC, SEP, NATP

Description

Embark on a transformative exploration of somatic therapies and trauma in this presentation, where the focus extends beyond conventional cognitive approaches. We will delve into a deeper understanding of the nervous system, unraveling the complexities of the trauma response, and moving beyond mere cognition into the profound healing wisdom of the body. Participants will be able to define the innate threat response cycle and its role in fostering resilience and facilitating a comprehensive healing process that recognizes the body as an integral player in the narrative.
In this journey, participants will learn about key concepts of interoception and proprioception as they explore the internal landscape of sensation and movement through experiential exercises. Building a profound relationship with the body becomes a cornerstone, unlocking the wisdom and intellect inherent in the body. The presentation serves as a roadmap for participants to venture into nuanced realms, cultivating a deeper understanding of the body’s language. Through gaining an understanding of the importance of attuning to the nervous system in therapy and supporting clients in redefining their relationship with the bodies, participants will be empowered to guide clients toward profound self-discovery and restoration, transcending the boundaries of traditional talk therapy.

Objectives

    • Define “somatic” therapies: Establish a professional understanding of the term within a conceptual framework.
    • Analyze the phases and methods of completing the threat response cycle for fostering resilience and comprehensive healing.
    • Describe 3 somatic interventions that can be used in clinical settings
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Self-Awareness

Room Parasol II

Speaker(s):

Le’Anne Schlotzhauer, BS

Description

This presentation is interactive and includes background information on the concept of self-awareness and how we can use both internal and external self-awareness to create a purposeful life.

Objectives

    • Identify the benefits of self-awareness.
    • Discuss ways to enhance your personal self-awareness.
    • Utilize effective ways to develop external self-awareness.
    • Explore your personal potential.
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Real Self-Care for Mental Health Practitioners: Strategies to Prevent and Treat Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

Room Parasol II

Speaker(s):

Sarah Thomas, EdD, MSW, LCSW

Description

When we think about self-care we often visualize vacations, spa days, dinner out, and maybe even that morning cup of coffee. While these strategies are important, in this presentation we will go deeper. Let’s talk about strategies to improve your work day, advocate for your needs, prevent burnout and fatigue, and recover from the difficult and essential work that you do.

Objectives

    • Define burnout and compassion fatigue.
    • Discuss the detrimental effects of burnout and compassion fatigue on mental health care professionals.
    • Describe key strategies for mindfulness and flow state.
    • Identify a personalized essential self-care plan to prevent and work-related distress.
    • Utilize tools to advocate for wellbeing in your workplace.
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Biblia Therapy used in Adjunct with other Therapises to Enhance Treatment

Room Paradise Ballroom C

Speaker(s):

Judy Wieberg Massman, MEd, LPC, LCSW

Description

Bibliotherapy will be defined and participants will learn how to use a 4 stage process in order to maximize books in their profession.

Objectives

    • Define bibliotherapy
    • Discuss bibliotherapy begginnings and how it is used now
    • Identify how to maximize your experience with books using a 4 stage process: identification, catharsis, insight and universilization
    • Discuss how bibliotherapy may help your profession
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Experiential Assessment and Therapy for Difficult Clients and Confusing Situations

Room Paradise Ballroom C

Speaker(s):

John Carpenter, MSW, LCSW

Description

You will get to see and feel your client’s dynamics and issues in a whole new perspective through experiential techniques, visual displays, metaphoric imagery, and playful exercises that reveal important and often hidden dynamics. The use of emotional space and body posturing may create emotional sculptures that suggest what needs and directions your client may require. What is exciting is that the visual or metaphoric images are undeniable and extremely beneficial for awareness and growth.

Objectives

    • Reveal and utilize emotional spacing effectively.
    • Describe the benefit and use of visual props to illustrate dynamics and stresses.
    • Utilize metaphoric imagery exercises to playfully reveal powerful emotions and dynamics in relationships.
    • Utilize experiential techniques and exercises for therapeutic growth and genuine changes.

 

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Treatment and Diagnosis of Individuals with Schizophrenia

Room Paradise Ballroom C

Speaker(s):

Lauren Smalling, MSW, LCSW

Description

This presentation focuses on treatment and diagnosis of individuals with schizophrenia starting with a description of the schizophrenia spectrum. The presentation uses real examples to help clarify the schizophrenia spectrum and how to diagnose individuals. The end of the presentation includes an interactive segment with three fabricated case examples to provide the listeners with the opportunity to come up with assessment questions in order to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Objectives

    • Define the schizophrenia spectrum.
    • Discuss the importance of communication and wrap-around services.
    • Discuss the meaning of success to clients.
    • Practice assessing and diagnosing clients.
    • Take an empathy-first approach with clients.
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The Changing Face of Corrections-Based Substance Use Services

Room Leeward 74-75

Speaker(s):

Duane Cummins PhD, Karin Kitson BS & Scott O’Kelley MA, EdS

Description

This presentation will review the historical evolution of corrections based SU treatment services in Missouri, the current transitioning and development of these services, and the future expectations for these services, to include the important role of MAT.

Objectives

    • Describe the historical evolution of SU treatment interventions in Missouri Corrections
    • Identify the current status of these services
    • Describe the important role of MAT within these services
    • Identify the present behavioral health model focus being implemented within corrections-based services
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Harm Reduction: The Next Wave in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Room Leeward 74-75

Speaker(s):

Lauren Eisleben, BS, MEd, LPC & Jeremy Duke, MA, LPC

Description

While the philosophy of harm reduction is generally welcomed and supported by industry professionals and the population alike, implementing harm reduction interventions is complex and often misunderstood. What does it look like – in practice – to approach a client from a harm reduction framework? Do we, as clinicians, approve or enable substance use and process addiction behaviors as we work from a place of compassion and curiosity?
Join us as we work together to understand and welcome our own professional and personal biases as they pertain to harm reduction. Let’s work together to provide a place for respect, dignity, and autonomy for those who are struggling with acute or chronic substance use disorder, eating disorders, and/or complex mental health challenges.

Objectives

    • Describe what harm reduction means and how it is applied in counseling practice
    • Identify systemic and micro barriers to providing compassionate and client-centered treatment
    • Practice real-time harm reduction interventions within the presentation
    • Connect with other professionals to learn how to utilize the harm reduction philosophy in our respective workplaces