Annual SAFE Conference

On Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, the SAFE (Suicide Awareness For Everyone) Task Force of Allegheny County held its annual conference, It Takes a Village ... Continuing the Conversation on Suicide at Commonwealth Charter Academy at the Waterfront. The community-focused suicide awareness conference welcomed all stakeholders – community members as well as professionals - to join in a discussion about suicide awareness, suicide prevention efforts, and loss survivor support in Allegheny County.  

The annual conference equips attendees with practical tools, knowledge, and resources to create a supportive, stigma-free environment where individuals and families can seek help and support without fear of judgment. This year’s conference introduced attendees to the Allegheny County suicide prevention task force and discussed local task force activities. Through keynote addresses, workshops, and panel discussions, the conference addressed the stigma of suicide and the following topics: 

• Suicide prevention efforts, effective interventions, resources, and how these can be used to help at-risk individuals
• A public health and community-based partnership to address suicide related community needs
• The importance of lived experience in understanding and supporting the needs of at-risk individuals and their families
• Local efforts to better meet the needs of suicide loss survivors

Agenda 

• 8:30 am - 9 am: Registration Opens
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am: Welcome
• 9:15 am - 9:45 am: SAFE Task Force Introduction and Overview
• 9:45 am - 10:45 am: Breakout Sessions
• 10:45 am – 11:00 am: Break
• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Keynote Presenters Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs
• 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: Lunch (provided at the conference)
• 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm: Keynote Presentation Continues (Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs)
• 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm: Break
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Closing Keynote Presenter, Dr. Gretchen Haas
• 3:00 pm: Conference Adjourns