The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is hosting a forum dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness.
Experts in suicide prevention, including Christine Yu Moutier, MD, the chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will be on hand for the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Update on April 10 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Central Arkansas Library System’s Ron Robinson Theater.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight the critical nature of this effort. Suicide ranks among the top nine leading causes of death for Americans ages 10 to 64, with an especially devastating impact on young people —serving as the second leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 14 and 25 to 34. The crisis hits close to home: in 2022, Arkansas lost an estimated 547 residents to suicide.
An acclaimed author, Moutier has testified before Congress, presented at the White House and National Academy of Sciences, and provided Congressional briefings on suicide prevention.
The half-day conference, open to medical providers, mental health professionals, educators, faith leaders, the business community, and members of the public, will offer knowledge and resources designed to support individuals at risk for suicide. The event is sponsored by a Chancellor’s Circle Award from UAMS.
“We are honored, with support from the Chancellor’s Circle Award, to host this important event focused on suicide prevention,” said Laura Dunn, MD, the director of the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute and chair of the Department of Psychiatry. “Our speakers and panelists will provide their expertise and highlight the latest updates on suicide prevention with a particular focus on how we can best help Arkansans.”
Several UAMS faculty from the Department of Psychiatry will take part in the forum. Jessica Coker, MD, will discuss suicide and maternal mental health while Elissa Wilburn, MD, and Sara Landes, PhD, will give talks on efforts to prevent suicide among adolescents and veterans, respectively.
A panel discussion will also be held, with local providers discussing their work in the field of suicide prevention. There is no cost to attend the event, but pre-registration is necessary. To register for the event, visit https://psychiatry.uams.edu/patients-and-visitors/arkansas-suicide-prevention-update/.