Monmouth University To Host Suicide Prevention Conference

Monmouth University will hold a mental health and suicide prevention conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at Anacon Hall on Cedar Avenue in West Long Branch.

Confirmed speakers include two panelists from the Jed Foundation: Medical Director Victor Schwartz, M.D., and Clinical Manager Jenna Scott, Psy.D., who will be presenting with colleagues from Monmouth University. The Jed Foundation is a best practices national organization that focuses on campus mental health and suicide prevention, according to a university release.

Monmouth University is a recipient of the JED Campus Seal for outstanding, holistic, and comprehensive mental health services for students. In addition, Adam Lesser, Deputy Director for the Center for Suicide Risk Assessment, New York State Psychiatric Institute, will be presenting suicide risk assessment and safety planning techniques to college/university clinicians.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to bring so many colleagues from colleges and universities in the State to share our experience in mental health awareness and suicide prevention at Monmouth University and to encourage other institutions to engage in more proactive prevention/education/awareness efforts on their campus,” said Franca Mancini, Director of Psychological Services at the university.

The conference is funded through a $300,000 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration} grant awarded to Monmouth University in 2012 through the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. Co-sponsors of the conference include Barnabas Health, Carrier Clinic, and the Monmouth County Mental Health Association. For more information, visit www.monmouth.edu/pwr, or contact one of the co-directors of the PWR initiative, Michelle Scott, PhD at mscott@monmouth.edu or Franca Mancini, PhD at mancini@monmouth.edu.