10th Annual Erie County Suicide Prevention Conference

September 29, 2026

The 10th Annual Erie County Suicide Prevention Conference is a collaborative effort of the Suicide Prevention Advisory Board of Erie County and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor to provide education and connection amongst our community members to grow our presence in suicide prevention and intervention.

Target Audience

Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Pharmacist
Physician
Physician Assistant
Psychologist
Social Worker

Learning Objectives

- Develop an understanding of the areas that may affect individuals' statistical likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation and attempts.
-Explore and develop strategies to create protective environments including reduction of access to lethal means, creating healthy organizations through policy and culture, and reduction of substance use.
-Develop strategies to improve access to and delivery of mental health and suicide care.
-Explore and develop strategies to lessen harm and prevent future risk through intervention after a suicide, building collaborative relationships, and utilizing creative outlets for coping with loss and personal suicide attempt experiences.
-Develop strategies for collaboration throughout the process of prevention and supporting individuals who are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 5.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 5.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 5.00 APA
  • 5.00 ASWB
  • 5.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
08/03/2026
Course expires: 
10/13/2026
Event starts: 
09/29/2026 - 7:00am EDT
Event ends: 
09/29/2026 - 4:00pm EDT
Cost:
$1.00
Add to calendar: 

Breakout choices:

Breakout 1 – 10:45am-12:00pm

  1. Navigating the Aftermath of Client Death by Suicide – The DREAM Model for Supervision – Pensiri Nuk Kongkaw-Oden, Robin Archer, Rebecca Willow
  2. The Impact of Crime on Victims: Understanding Trauma, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention – Madelyn Fife
  3. At Risk in a Modern World: What's Driving Youth Suicide Today – Jamie Zelazny

Breakout 2 – 1:00-2:15pm

  1.  Grief Through the Eyes of Suicide Loss Survivors – Donna Pandullo, Kelly Monk, Carley Shearer
  2. Why Stress Impacts Mental Health More Than You Realize – Kevin Berceli
  3. Breaking the Silence: Evidence-Based Practices in Addressing Suicidality in Behavioral Health – Trish Caldwell

Breakout 3 – 2:30pm – 3:45pm

  1. Beyond the Warning Signs: Introducing the V.I.S.I.O.N.™ Framework for Crisis Prevention – Brandon Wiley
  2. Supporting the Supporters: Practical Tools for Families Navigating Suicide Risk and Higher Levels of Care – Christina Paternoster, Tracy Palazzotto
Bayfront Convention Center
1 Sassafras Pier
Erie, PA
United States


In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
 

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 5.0 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Social Work (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 5.0 general continuing education credits 

Psychologist (APA)
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
This activity is approved for 5.0 APA credits. 

Other Healthcare Professionals: Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity. 

Available Credit

  • 5.00 AAPA Category I CME
  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 5.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 5.00 APA
  • 5.00 ASWB
  • 5.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$1.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Registration Fees:

Professional (includes CE) -  $75
Non-Professional (no CE) - $60
Student - $40

5.0 credits will be provided to those registered for the following disciplines:  Physicians (AMA PRA), Physician Assistants (AAPA), Nursing and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CNE), Social Work/ Counseling (ASWB), Psychologists (APA), and Educators (Act 48).
 

Refund Policy: Refunds up to 7 days before event.