9th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference – Erie, PA

Date: Wednesday, September 24^th, 2025
Time: 8:15 AM – 3:45 PM
Location: Ambassador Conference Center, Erie, PA
Theme: Creating a Safer Community Through Collaboration and Creativity

Hosted by the Erie County Suicide Prevention Advisory Board and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor, this annual conference brings together professionals, students, families, and community members to share best practices and new ideas in suicide prevention. Over 250 participants join each year to connect, learn, and make a difference.

Keynote Speaker

Marisa Vicere – President and founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, Mental Health First Aid instructor, and chairperson for the Centre County Suicide Prevention Taskforce. Marisa will speak on “Healing Through Art, Story, and Action: A Community Approach to Mental Wellness.”

Breakout Sessions

• Safe Spaces, Strong Minds: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Suicide Awareness and Prevention
• Peers Responding to Peers in Times of Crisis
• Collaborative Crisis Planning: Family Driven Care Coordination
• Pickleball Can Save Lives
• Motivational Interviewing for Suicide Response
• Suicide Prevention and Intervention with Peer Specialists
• The Joy of Communicating
• From Loss to Learning: Organizational Growth Through Post-Suicide Analysis
• Building Belonging: Suicide Prevention Strategies for Minority Populations

Continuing Education

Up to 5.25 CE credits available for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers. For full accreditation details, visit the official event page.

Registration Fees

• Professional (includes CE): $60
• Non-Professional (no CE): $50
• Student: $30

Scholarships are available. Please email Sharon Sandberg at sandbergs@upmc.edu to inquire.

Why Attend?

This conference is a chance to learn about new research, discover creative tools for prevention and healing, and strengthen your network of partners in the region. Together, we are working toward a community goal of zero suicide.

View event details and register

Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov