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Rationale

Minority communities have historically been discounted from traditional suicide and depression awareness programs. According to the Surgeon General's 1999 report on suicide, the rate of suicide among African American males alone has increased 105% between 1980 and 1996. Our conference is crucial to bringing recognition to the fact that suicide among African Americans is an escalating societal problem that must be addressed

Objectives

Update public health officials on suicide statistics and suicide research
Educate those who work in the field of counseling and depression
Provide insight on depression and other brain disorders
Share feeling and methods of coping with survivors
Educate bereaved family members and friends
Educate those who work with young adults on a daily basis
Share information on suicide prevention and intervention
Convey a message of hope

Target Audience

Mental health and public professionals, consumers of services, faith communities, law enforcement and corrections personnel, service providers, advocates, educators, community representatives, students, primary care physicians, health care professionals and survivors of suicide.

Planning Committee

Chaz Foster-Kyser - Coordinator
Donna Barnes, NOPCAS President -Organizer
Doris Smith, NOPCAS 1st Vice President & Treasurer - Organizer
Loretta Dumas - Organizer
Lois Taliaferro - Public Relations
Kenya Johnson - Public Relations
Geraldine Shackelford, Ph.D.

Speakers

Donna Barnes,Ph.D., NOPCAS President, Southwest Texas State, Dept. of Sociology
Doris Smith, NOPCAS 1st V.P & Treasurer, Project Hope & SPAN
Leslie Franklin, NOPCAS Vice President, Shaka Foundation
Thomas Morales, City College of New York, Vice President of Student Affairs
Ted Smith, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry
Dr. James Clemmons, Minister, OASSIS President, Washington
Debrah Hurt, BA HPPE, The Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Mental Health and Social Services
Peretta Rodriguez, Director of Wellness & Counseling, CCNY
Lt. Sam Cochran, Crisis Intervention Team, Memphis, TN
Meri Nana-Ama Danquah, author of Willow Weep for Me
Henry Westray, Mental Hygiene Administration, Baltimore, MD
Sherry Davis Molock, Dept. of Psychology, George Washington State Univ.
Jade Smalls, Miss Illinois, Evanston, IL
Nayo Watkins, The Mekye Fund, Durham, N.C
Dr. Helen Smith, Columbia University
Delores E. Matthews, Columbia University
Marion Ouphonet, Harlem Hospital
Rev. Jameson Teamor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Southfield, MI
Keith Antone Willis, EKAW Inc., St.Louis, MO
Dr. James Clemons,OASSIS, Washington, DC
Rachael T. Krammer, MSW, Mental Health Association of New York

Sponsors

AFSP International
Shaka Foundation
Solvay Pharmaceuticals
Southwest Texas State University, College of Liberal Arts
New York Office of Minority Health
Eli Lilly
Center for Disease Control
Jerry & Elsie Weyrauch / SPAN
Loretta Dumas
Dr. Lucy Davidson

Program Schedule

Friday, February 4, 2000

I. Community Suicide Prevention Model for Special Populations -- Debrah Hurt,The Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Mental Health & Social Services

II. Improving Collaboration in Law Enforcement & Mental Health -- Lt. Sam Cochran
Crisis Intervention Team

III. Uncovering Cultural Barriers in Minority Communities--Sherry Davis Molock, Dept. of Psychology, George Washington University

IV. Suicide Prevention and the Faith Communities--Dr. James T. Clemmons, President of OASSIS

I. Team Support Training, by Doris Smith, Project Hope & SPAN

II. Finding the Positive in a Tragedy, by Leslie Franklin, Shaka Foundation

III. Minority Gay & Lesbian Issues, by Henry Westray, Mental Hygiene Administration

IV. Creating a Model for Parent Dialoging, by Rev. Jameson Teamor

Saturday, February 5, 2000

Opening Speaker: Jade Smalls, Miss Illinois


10: 15 - 10:30 AM

I. Survivors of a Child

II. Survivors of a Parent

III. Survivors of a Client

IV. Survivors of a Close Family Member

V. Starting a Support Group

VI. Looking for the Positive

Lodging

A block of hotel rooms have been reserved for participants at the Mayflower Hotel in Manhattan. Rates are $160 for singles and $170 for doubles. You may call 212-265-0060 and reserve your room under "NOPCAS Conference" until January 4, 2000.

Directions

From La Guardia Airport to the Mayflower Hotel:

Take Long Island Expressway West
To Triboro Bridge
Cross bridge and go on 2nd Ave, go down
To 96th street and make right
Go down and make left on Central Park West
Go down to 61st street
Mayflower Hotel is on the corner

From the Mayflower Hotel to CCNY:

Drive North on Central Park West to 138 and turn left

Please contact Donna H. Barnes at 512-245-8453 or
by e-mail at db31@swt.edu for a registration packet.