2026 Spring Registration Brochure

10 NJAMHAA's Spring Conference 2026 APRIL 14, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM SESSION 2.1: Cultivating the Village: A Discussion on Suicide Prevention with Youth of Color TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Professionals, Direct Care Staff and Mental Healthcare Supervisors AUDIENCE TARGET LEVELS: Intermediate COURSE DESCRIPTION: Suicide is a complex, multifaceted issue affecting youth and is a leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24. Although every community experiences the impacts of suicide, youth of color face unique challenges due to factors such as racial trauma, health disparities, community stigma, and a lack of culturally responsive care. “Cultivating the Village: A Discussion on Suicide Prevention with Youth of Color” is designed to address these specific challenges by centering the prevention needs and strengths of youth of color. In this session, participants will review culturally specific warning signs, risk factors, and resources that reflect the lived experiences of these youth. The discussion will also highlight the importance of engaging parents, community leaders, social networks, educators, and caring peers to build supportive “villages”— networks of prevention that increase awareness, foster connectedness, and serve as protective factors for youth. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this session, attendees will be able to: 1. Describe the current data on youth suicide prevalence within communities of color and analyze how intersecting identities influence both risk and protective factors. 2. Identify culturally specific warning signs by distinguishing diverse expressions of distress across different cultural and community contexts. 3. List the existing community strengths and resources and determine how they can be adapted to support culturally responsive, connection-centered protective factors. NUMBER AND TYPE OF CREDITS 1.0 Cultural Competency CE Cultivating the Village: A Discussion on Suicide Prevention with Youth of Color, Course #6611 is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 1/30/2026 - 1/30/2028. Social workers completing this course will receive 1 cultural competency CE continuing education credit. ........................................................................................................................ This course is approved by the NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #87719, NJAMHAA is responsible for all aspects of the programming. Kalisha Smith, LCSW Clinical Social Worker Wise Counsel Services LLC S P E A K E R Afternoon Session