UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee
The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee’s mission is to promote emotional health, educate Delaware college students who may be struggling with mental illnesses, and strengthen collaborative efforts to prevent suicide among college and university students in Delaware.
Save the Date for the 2023 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference!
The 2023 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference will be held in-person on Tuesday, September 26th from 8am to 12pm at Goldey-Beacom College (in Wilmington, DE). Stay tuned for more information!
2022 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
Overview:
On October 12th, 2022, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee hosted their fifth annual conference on Zoom. The conference explored the theme “How to Support Yourself and Others” in higher education settings through an opening remarks speaker, self-care activities, a keynote speaker and three panelists. The conference started with opening remarks from Jennifer Seo, the Deputy Director of the Mental Health Association in Delaware. She recognized the committee’s efforts and highlighted the conference’s evolution to mark the fifth-year anniversary. The conference then welcomed Lauren Fonvielle, an Integrative Energy Coach. She set the tone of prioritizing self-care and self-awareness by demonstrating Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a powerful stress-relieving tool. Following the relaxing activity was our keynote speaker Dawn S. Paramore, LPCMH, NCC, CAADC, CPC, ABD, the C.E.O. of Tranquil Solutions for a Centered Mind, LLC and Camp BLISS Kids, Inc. In her keynote “FLIGHT 101: A Travel Guide to Mental Health, Self-Preservation and Beyond,” she delved into the metaphor of traveling and mental health and shared powerful statements of how crucial self-advocacy, self-preservation and self-care are for mental wellbeing. Following the keynote speech was our panel joined by three panelists: Ethan Fields, the Director of Higher Education Program Outreach & Promotion for The Jed Foundation; Tammi Ginsberg, the President of the American Foundation Suicide Prevention’s Maryland chapter; and Phillip J. Roundtree, a Social Work Professor at Delaware State University and the host of the Youtube-based show Rhetorically Speaking and the #YouGoodMan? Men’s Wellness Podcast. The interactive panel discussed important topics including self-care, self-advocacy and crisis support, and instilled a sense of hope and camaraderie. We then ended with Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC and Monica Motyka, both of whom are Tai Chi Instructors. They closed out the conference with a grounding Tai Chi demonstration, leaving us with another notable self-care, mindfulness tool.
The UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee would like to recognize Chaplain Pam Adams and Esther Curtis, MSM-HCA, the MC and moderator respectively. Likewise, a special thank you to the subcommittee members for all of their hard work helping plan and advertise this event!
Recording:
Resources:
Keynote Speaker:
Dawn S. Paramore, LPCMH, NCC, CAADC, CPC, ABD
CEO @ Tranquil Solutions for a Centered Mind, LLC and Camp BLISS Kids, Inc.
Dawn is a Philadelphia native and is a licensed mental health professional pursuing a Doctorate in Prevention Science from Wilmington University and receiving a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling. Dawn is the C.E.O. of Tranquil Solutions for a Centered Mind, LLC (www.ACenteredMind.com) and Camp BLISS Kids, Inc. (www.CampBlissKids.com). Dawn received several certifications focusing on trauma-informed care, prevention, and substance abuse, treating children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Licenses and certifications include: Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC), Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), National Certification for Trauma-Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Panelists:
Ethan Field, M.S.Ed.
Director of Higher Education Program Outreach & Promotion @ Jed Foundation
Ethan joined The Jed Foundation (JED) in October 2018 as a Campus Advisor and currently serves as the Director of Higher Education Program Outreach & Promotion. He has served as a consultant for over 50 colleges and universities nationwide that are partnering with JED on mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention strategic planning efforts. In his current role, he is responsible for leading the expansion of JED’s higher education programs to 1,800 campuses nationwide. Ethan’s professional background is in higher education administration and previously held positions in residence life and student conduct at Drexel University and Lehigh University.
Tammi Ginsberg, LCPC
President @AFSP Maryland Chapter
Tammi Ginsberg is a mental health professional and the president of the AFSP Maryland chapter where she is focused on saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Her goal is to educate as many people as possible on research, risk, warning signs and prevention. Tammi’s brother died by suicide when she was a junior at UMD. Her journey of healing includes her own struggle with depression which catapulted her into her second career as an LCPC. In that role, she works with people with mood disorders as well as those who have been affected by suicide.
Phillip J. Roundtree, LCSW, MS
Social Work Professor @ Delaware State University
Phillip J. Roundtree is a dynamic Scholar-Activist, Social Work Professor at Delaware State University, licensed clinical social worker, host of the Youtube-based daily digital show Rhetorically Speaking and the #YouGoodMan? Men’s Wellness Podcast. Recognizing society’s lack of emphasis on mental health; thus, he’s evolved into a staunch advocate for historically oppressed persons, specifically Black and Brown people and other persons of the global majority. He uses his personal and professional experiences to educate and empower individuals and communities, while currently completing his Doctorate in Social Work at Kutztown University.
Presenters:
Lauren Fonvielle
Integrative Energy Coach @ Mindshift with Lauren
Lauren is an Integrative Energy Coach, specializing in EFT/ Tapping for stress, anxiety, and trauma. She guides her clients on a journey of self healing to break through obstacles – physical, mental, or emotional – that are keeping them stuck and holding them back in life or business. She believes we all have the answers within, and sometimes we just need a little help accessing them.
Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC
Founder @ SCULPT YOUR LIFE
Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC holds accreditations in several styles of Tai Chi including the VA’s Tai Chi for Veterans, a groundbreaking program which was developed in response to the high Veteran suicide rate. Besides teaching Tai Chi and various relaxation/meditation techniques, Jessica is also certified as both a Master Personal Trainer and Nutritional Counselor. In 2004 she founded her private practice SCULPT YOUR LIFE® and describes her work since that time as Lifestyle Coaching. Jessica’s unusual perspectives on the true nature of health and wellbeing enable her to work with anyone, no matter where they fall on their own personal path towards any healthy goal. Over the years, Jessica’s track record for coaching clients through complete life-transformations has been outstanding yet she’s also a gifted group instructor; in addition to the VA her long-time teaching and coaching contracts include Widener University, the Cancer Support Community of Delaware and the American Red Cross.
Participating Organizations:
2021 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On November 16th, 2021, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee presented an in-person half-day conference on Delaware State University’s main campus. During the conference, presenters from across the nation discussed with attendees how we can create a suicide safer community in higher education settings. The committee hosted four presenters with various knowledge, experience and resources about suicide prevention. These four individuals were Darian Elmendorf, the Director of Peer Support at Sean’s House; Meisje Scales, MPH, a Research Associate at the University of Delaware’s Center for Drug and Health Studies; Rachel Ryding, PhD, a Research Associate at the University of Delaware’s Center for Drug and Health Studies; and Ali Borowsky, the Founder & CEO of Find Your Anchor. The free conference had vendors in the Delaware community fighting to end suicide. This included other higher education institutions, local non-profit organizations and suicide prevention resources in Delaware.
2020 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On November 12th, 2020, the UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Subcommittee hosted their first virtual conference and welcomed four presenters: Janel Austin, a Care Coordinator within DSCYF’s Divison of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services; Audrey Hausig, a Board Certified Music Therapist; Chris Locke, the founder of SL24 UnLocke The Light Foundation; and Victoria Sweeney, the Board Chair of the Delaware Chapter of the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention (AFSP). They talked on a peer, professional and personal level about their perspectives on suicide completion, attempts and recovery, and discussed how suicide has made a life impact on them. The day started with a mindfulness session and ended with resources that can be helpful to students in crisis.
2019 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On October 8, 2019, the UMatter2DE Conference welcomed approximately 120 people, which included students, staff/faculty at universities and college campuses, educators, mental health service providers, community members, 9 community and private organizations related to the field of mental health as vendors, and volunteer students. The University of Delaware’s STAR Tower Audion hosted the second annual UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference. It was a half-day conference filled with important and relevant information related to help-seeking behavior. The keynote speaker was Holly Wilcox, PhD, a psychiatric epidemiologist and Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Schools of Education and Medicine. Her presentation addressed trends in mental health in Generation Z and suicide prevention approaches. In addition, the conference included a panel session with representatives from many of the colleges and universities in Delaware discussing resources, mental health and suicide prevention efforts at their respective campuses. The event ended with a powerful testimony from Taylor Ryan, MS, former MHA intern and currently a Research Program Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
One unique feature of the 2019 conference was the Remembrance Space, which was provided in a separate area from the conference for participants to look around, learn more about the various suicide prevention and mental health initiatives happening on the local college campuses, give hope, receive positivity, and/or take a breather. Many of the school Active Minds chapters helped to organize and create this peaceful and informative space for the 2019 conference where display boards, video displays, and resources were presented and available. Another distinct resource at the 2019 conference included a clinician on site in case anyone wanted or needed to talk to someone, especially with the topic being around suicide prevention.
The UMatter2DE Subcommittee under the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition would like to thank the 2019 sponsors, which include the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services and the Rockford Center. We could not have put on this successful conference without their generous contribution and support.
2018 Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference
On October 30th, 2018, the 1st UMatter2DE Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference was held at the Wilmington University Dover Campus. The conference started with opening remarks from representatives of the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Wilmington University, and a young lady named Kelly Marzoli who helped start a student organization called Friends 4 Friends at the University of Delaware after she lost a close friend to suicide. Kelly’s opening remarks were powerful and set the tone for the rest of the event. The conference also welcomed keynote address by Jennifer Smolowitz, MPA, who is the Project Director for Suicide Prevention at the Mental Health Association in Delaware on the topic of suicide prevention, particularly relating to college communities. The event also included presentations on topics such as Humor & Relaxation and Mindfulness as the focus and theme of this conference was self-care. Rockford Center and Dover Behavioral Health generously provided refreshments for conference attendees, the space was provided at no cost by Wilmington University and materials were mainly funded by Project SAFETY.