Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee
The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee’s mission is to promote mental wellbeing in higher education settings, engage and educate Delawarean students impacted by mental health challenges, including suicidal ideations, and strengthen collaborative efforts to prevent suicide among higher education students in Delaware.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Thank you to our sponsors for making the 2024 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference possible!
UD Division of Student Life • DE Humanities • Delaware Medical Education Foundation • SUN Behavioral Health • DEMCO • SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation • Rockford Center • TeleHelp 24/7 • AIDS Delaware • Delaware First Health • Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, Inc. • Charlie Health • GoHealth Urgent Care • atTAcK addiction • DJ’s Alliance • Simon Eye • Essentials Recovery • Marigold Health Systems • Chimes Holcomb • MassageLuXe • National 5 & 10 • Honeygrow • Peach Blossom • Iron Hill Brewery • El Diablo
2024 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
The 2024 UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference took place on Friday, October 4th at the University of Delaware, under the theme “Lighting the Way: Illuminating Paths to Suicide Prevention". The conference emphasized the impact of culture on mental well-being and suicide prevention within the higher education community, offering valuable insights and practical tools for attendees. The conference started with opening remarks from Chris Locke, the founder of SL24: UnLocke the Light Foundation. He highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of healing and love after the loss of a loved one to suicide. Jaycee Wendell, the Chair of the Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee, followed with personal stories of navigating mental health challenges and suicidal ideations, stressing the significance of radical self-care, uplifting communities and culture of belonging. The conference then segued into Dalissy Jose Washington’s keynote speech titled "From Silence to Surrender: Finding Strength in Confronting Suicidality.” During her keynote address, she encouraged attendees to approach intense emotions with curiosity and hope, recognize suicidality as a shared human experience and cultivate self-compassion to transform silence into purpose and empowerment. The conference then featured a panel discussion with five esteemed panelists: Dr. Katie Bekkeli, the Associate Director for Training at the University of Delaware; Reverend Karla Fleshman, the Clinical Director of Transitions Delaware; Dr. Michelle Ratcliff, an Assistant Professor at Delaware State University; Dr. Jazmine Tooles, an Assistant Professor at Temple University; and Stacy Shamburger, the Director of Life Lines at West End Neighborhood House. The panel examined cultural considerations on mental health and suicide prevention in higher education settings through the lens of group culture, family culture and digital culture. The conference ended with Staci Stills, the founder of Queendom Care, providing participants with culturally-informed tools to transform their thought patterns using affirmations, movement and mindfulness practices. The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee extends its gratitude to Helen Ann Lawless and Dr. Kate Riera for serving as MCs, and to Jess Estok for moderating the panel. A special thanks is also due to the subcommittee members and student volunteers for their dedication and hard work in making the conference a resounding success!
Photographs courtesy of the University of Delaware and Mollie Clupper
Opening Remarks & Keynote Speech
Panel Session
Self-Care Activity
2023 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
The 2023 UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference was held on Tuesday, September 26th at Goldey-Beacom College, the theme being “You Matter: How To Navigate Your Mental Health”. The conference started with opening remarks from Jocelyn Moses, the Dean of Students at Goldey-Beacom College, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the college’s dedication to raising awareness about mental health. Esther Curtis, who is a valued subcommittee member and the Community Liaison & Digital Strategy Lead at SUN Behavioral Health, continued the opening remarks. She touched upon the importance of suicide prevention, urged attendees to combat the mental health stigma and highlighted the evolution of the subcommittee’s efforts. The conference then segued into Dr. Kristen Wilson’s keynote speech titled “Is It My Birth Chart Or Is It The Trauma?: Perfectionism, Anxiety, and Accepting the Things I Cannot Change.” During her keynote speech, she spoke about her personal experience with perfectionism, anxiety and trauma, how they relate to academic research and how prevention isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. Following the keynote speech was the panel session joined by four panelists: Jacob Bates, the Director of Operations at Sean’s House; Allison Burns, the Director of Peer Support at Sean’s House; Dr. Jackie Cousin, the Executive Director at ContactLifeline; and Dr. Michelle Ratcliff, an Assistant Professor at Delaware State University. The panel further explored the conference’s theme by discussing the topics anxiety & perfectionism, mental health stigma, healthy relationships, trauma & trauma-informed care and substance use disorder & recovery within higher education settings. The conference ended with Vanesa Simon, the Owner of Mariposa Arts, demonstrating Zentangle, an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create images by drawing structured patterns. The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee would like to recognize Christyn Rudolf and Golda Duncan, the MC and moderator respectively. Likewise, a special thank you to the subcommittee members for all of their hard work helping plan and advertise this event!
Timecodes: Opening Remarks [00:01:58]; Keynote Speech [00:13:52]; Panel Session [01:09:25]; Art Activity [02:16:02]
2022 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On October 12th, 2022, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee hosted their fifth annual conference on Zoom. The conference explored the theme “How to Support Yourself and Others” in higher education settings through an opening remarks speaker, self-care activities, a keynote speaker and three panelists. The conference started with opening remarks from Jennifer Seo, the Deputy Director of the Mental Health Association in Delaware. She recognized the subcommittee’s efforts and highlighted the conference’s evolution to mark the fifth-year anniversary. The conference then welcomed Lauren Fonvielle, an Integrative Energy Coach. She set the tone of prioritizing self-care and self-awareness by demonstrating Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a powerful stress-relieving tool. Following the relaxing activity was our keynote speaker Dawn S. Paramore, LPCMH, NCC, CAADC, CPC, ABD, the C.E.O. of Tranquil Solutions for a Centered Mind, LLC and Camp BLISS Kids, Inc. In her keynote “FLIGHT 101: A Travel Guide to Mental Health, Self-Preservation and Beyond,” she delved into the metaphor of traveling and mental health and shared powerful statements of how crucial self-advocacy, self-preservation and self-care are for mental wellbeing. Following the keynote speech was our panel joined by three panelists: Ethan Fields, the Director of Higher Education Program Outreach & Promotion for The Jed Foundation; Tammi Ginsberg, the President of the American Foundation Suicide Prevention’s Maryland chapter; and Phillip J. Roundtree, a Social Work Professor at Delaware State University and the host of the Youtube-based show Rhetorically Speaking and the #YouGoodMan? Men’s Wellness Podcast. The interactive panel discussed important topics including self-care, self-advocacy and crisis support, and instilled a sense of hope and camaraderie. We then ended with Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC and Monica Motyka, both of whom are Tai Chi Instructors. They closed out the conference with a grounding Tai Chi demonstration, leaving us with another notable self-care, mindfulness tool. The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee would like to recognize Chaplain Pam Adams and Esther Curtis, MSM-HCA, the MC and moderator respectively. Likewise, a special thank you to the subcommittee members for all of their hard work helping plan and advertise this event!.
2021 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On November 16th, 2021, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee presented an in-person half-day conference on Delaware State University’s main campus. During the conference, presenters from across the nation discussed with attendees how we can create a suicide safer community in higher education settings. The committee hosted four presenters with various knowledge, experience and resources about suicide prevention. These four individuals were Darian Elmendorf, the Director of Peer Support at Sean’s House; Meisje Scales, MPH, a Research Associate at the University of Delaware’s Center for Drug and Health Studies; Rachel Ryding, PhD, a Research Associate at the University of Delaware’s Center for Drug and Health Studies; and Ali Borowsky, the Founder & CEO of Find Your Anchor. The free conference had vendors in the Delaware community fighting to end suicide. This included other higher education institutions, local non-profit organizations and suicide prevention resources in Delaware.
2020 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On November 12th, 2020, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee hosted their first virtual conference and welcomed four presenters: Janel Austin, a Care Coordinator within DSCYF’s Divison of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services; Audrey Hausig, a Board Certified Music Therapist; Chris Locke, the founder of SL24 UnLocke The Light Foundation; and Victoria Sweeney, the Board Chair of the Delaware Chapter of the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention (AFSP). They talked on a peer, professional and personal level about their perspectives on suicide completion, attempts and recovery, and discussed how suicide has made a life impact on them. The day started with a mindfulness session and ended with resources that can be helpful to students in crisis.
2019 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On October 8th, 2019, the UMatter2DE Conference welcomed approximately 120 people, which included students, staff/faculty at universities and college campuses, educators, mental health service providers, community members, 9 community and private organizations related to the field of mental health as vendors, and volunteer students. The University of Delaware’s STAR Tower Audion hosted the second annual UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference. It was a half-day conference filled with important and relevant information related to help-seeking behavior. The keynote speaker was Holly Wilcox, PhD, a psychiatric epidemiologist and Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Schools of Education and Medicine. Her presentation addressed trends in mental health in Generation Z and suicide prevention approaches. In addition, the conference included a panel session with representatives from many of the colleges and universities in Delaware discussing resources, mental health and suicide prevention efforts at their respective campuses. The event ended with a powerful testimony from Taylor Ryan, MS, former MHA intern and currently a Research Program Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. One unique feature of the 2019 conference was the Remembrance Space, which was provided in a separate area from the conference for participants to look around, learn more about the various suicide prevention and mental health initiatives happening on the local college campuses, give hope, receive positivity, and/or take a breather. Many of the school Active Minds chapters helped to organize and create this peaceful and informative space for the 2019 conference where display boards, video displays, and resources were presented and available. Another distinct resource at the 2019 conference included a clinician on site in case anyone wanted or needed to talk to someone, especially with the topic being around suicide prevention. The UMatter2DE Subcommittee under the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition would like to thank the 2019 sponsors, which include the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services and the Rockford Center. We could not have put on this successful conference without their generous contribution and support.
2018 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On October 30th, 2018, the 1st UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference was held at the Wilmington University Dover Campus. The conference started with opening remarks from representatives of the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Wilmington University, and a young lady named Kelly Marzoli who helped start a student organization called Friends 4 Friends at the University of Delaware after she lost a close friend to suicide. Kelly’s opening remarks were powerful and set the tone for the rest of the event. The conference also welcomed keynote address by Jennifer Smolowitz, MPA, who is the Project Director for Suicide Prevention at the Mental Health Association in Delaware on the topic of suicide prevention, particularly relating to college communities. The event also included presentations on topics such as Humor & Relaxation and Mindfulness as the focus and theme of this conference was self-care. Rockford Center and Dover Behavioral Health generously provided refreshments for conference attendees, the space was provided at no cost by Wilmington University and materials were mainly funded by Project SAFETY.
