Innovative Community-based Approaches to Addressing College Student Depression and Suicide Prevention: A Working Conference

This is a free conference, underwritten by the ADAPT program of the Suffolk University Counseling Center and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the research project of the Center for the Study of College Student Mental Health and its implications for the field.
• Use the Jed Foundation's Framework for developing institutional protocols that manage acutely distressed or sucicidal college students.
• Recognize ways of engaging students of color in community-based approaches addressing mental health issues on campus.
• Apply strategies for involving the campus community in programs that address depression awareness, prevention, and treatment.
• Summarize the key steps involved in a strategic planning process for developing a suicide prevention/mental health promotion plan.
• Begin to apply knowledge gained to relevant campus situations.

Continuing Education

This Working Conference is co-sponsored by the Suffolk University Department of Psychology which is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education credits for training provided by psychologists. Participants may receive 6 hours of APA continuing education credit.  Credit will not be given for partial attendance.

Conference Agenda: Friday, April 13, 2007

8:30-9:00—Registration/Gathering/Coffee

9:00—Welcome

Lynda D. Field, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, Suffolk University Counseling Center, Associate Professor of Psychological Services, Co-Director of the ADAPT Project
David Sargent, LLD, President, Suffolk University
Patricia Meservey, Ph.D., Provost, Suffolk University
Kenneth Garni, Ed.D., Director, Suffolk University Counseling Center

9:30—Start-up and Focus

Paul R. Korn, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, Suffolk University Counseling Center, Professor of Psychological Services, Co-Director of the ADAPT Project
Personal planning for the day, focusing on back home situation and goals

9:45-12:15—Panel Presentation

“Aspects of Innovative and Community-Based Approaches to Depression and Suicide Prevention on Campus”
Moderator: Paul Korn, Ph.D.

9:50—Ben Locke, Ph.D. Director, Center for the Study of College Student Mental Health, Pennsylvania State University

“Today’s Context for Mental Health Innovations on Campus”

10:10—Participants’ Reflection Time

10:20—Joanna Locke, M.D., M.P.H.,  Program Director, The Jed Foundation, New York, New York

"Framework for Developing Institutional Protocols for the Acutely Distressed or Suicidal College Student"

10:40—Participants’ Reflection Time

10:50—Break and Networking Time

11:05—Panel Presentation (continued)

Vanessa McAdams Mahmoud, LCSW, Director, Mandala Psychotherapy Associates, Decatur, GA
“Engaging Students of Color as Agents of Change”

11:25—Participants’ Reflection Time

11:35—Lynda D. Field, Ph.D., Co-Director ADAPT Program, Suffolk University Counseling Center, Boston, Massachusetts

“Treating Depression as a Campus Community Issue”     

11:55---Participants' Reflection Time

12:05-1:30—Lunch (on own)

1:30-2:45—Group Session: Learning More

Session 1. Ben Locke, Ph.D.
“Are We Making a Difference?: Evaluating the Impact of Innovative Interventions”

Session 2. Joanna Locke, M.D., M.P.H., and Laurie Davidson, M.A., Campus Prevention Support Coordinator, Suicide Prevention Resource Center 
“Developing a Comprehensive Plan for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion on Your Campus”

Session 3. Vanessa McAdams Mahmoud
“Strategies, Programming, and Techniques for Dealing with Depression and Students of African Descent”

Session 4. Lynda D. Field, Ph.D. and Susan Orsillo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Suffolk University Department of Psychology 
“Faculty Involvement in Depression Awareness and Prevention”

Session 5. Herbert Ramy, JD, Director, Academic Excellence Program, New England School  of Law
“Addressing Depression in Law Students”

Session 6. Paul R. Korn, Ph.D.
“Guidelines for On-Campus Community-Based Innovations”

2:45-3:00—Break

3:00-4:00—Roundtable Action Planning/Networking Sessions

4:15-4:45—Town Hall Meeting

Sharing plans; Closing