Updated at 1:40 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2007
First suicide-prevention conference planned in Hawaii
Advertiser Staff
The state Department of Health will this fall sponsor Hawai'i's first statewide suicide-prevention conference, "Building a Safety Net — Getting Connected for Suicide Prevention."The event is set for Nov. 15-16 at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel. Conference co-sponsors include: the Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Hawai'i Suicide Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Research (S.P.E.A.R) Foundation of American, HMSA and the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu.
The conference is part of an ongoing collaborative effort to address a major public health challenge in the state, according to a news release issued by the Hawai'i Health Department. It is open to professional health and social services workers, those affected by suicide, and the public.
"The conference goal is to bring together agencies, organizations, communities and individuals from across the state to increase their knowledge of suicide prevention best practices and ultimately, to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicide attempts in Hawai'i," state Health Director Chiyome Fukino said in the release.
One person dies by suicide every three days in Hawai'i — about125 yearly — making this the second-leading cause of injury death in the state. For every suicide, there are about 12 attempts, according to the state Health Department.
Hawai'i youth are at particularly high risk of suicide attempts compared with other states. Hawai'i has:
This first statewide suicide prevention conference offers an opportunity for participants to exchange information and resources. Being armed with knowledge and tools creates ways to approach suicide as a preventable public health challenge with realistic opportunities to save many lives. At the conference, there will also be a remembrance ceremony to honor those who have died by suicide.
Iris Bolton, one of the featured national presenters, is the founder of Survivors of Suicide support groups and author of "My Son, My Son." After her son, Mitchell, died by suicide in 1977, Bolton, became active in many national and local suicide prevention agencies and is considered a pioneer in the field of suicide prevention and aftercare. She will speak on "Survivors Helping to Set the National Agenda."
Other national speakers include Charles Curie, former head of the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration who will present "Mental Health Services Transformation Equals Preventing Suicide." Jerry Reed, executive director of the Suicide Prevention Action Network, will present "Suicide Prevention: A National and State Imperative."
Local experts will also share their expertise within four broad categories: "Raising Awareness," "Call to Action," "Resilience" and "Promising Programs." Speakers from the DOH include Bill Sheehan, medical director, Adult Mental Heath Division; Michael Rimm, Maui Family Guidance Center; Kimo Alameda, psychologist, Big Island Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division; Dan Galanis, epidemiologist, Injury Prevention Program; Art Tani, suicide prevention coordinator; and Kathleen Rhoads Merriam, survivor.
Conference details and registration information is posted at www.hawaii.gov/health and the Injury Prevention Web site at www.nogethurt.hawaii.gov. For further information, call 586-5939.
