Beacon for Hope Suicide Prevention Director Melissa Owen says the first-ever Connect and Empower Conference held at Emporia State University this week was a rousing success.
The numbers by themselves bear that out, with nearly 200 people attending, including representatives of social service entities from 40 different counties and 10 different professional backgrounds. Owen tells KVOE News there were other indicators of positive connections as the conference continued.
Owen says there was good information from the different speakers and a heavy emphasis on audience participation. The entire goal was to provide tools to people dealing with children at risk of suicide, in some cases from as early as kindergarten.
Conversations were underway for the 2027 event even before the 2-day conference this week. Owen says focal points have already been identified, including suicidal concerns as connected to substance abuse or foster care. Other potential topics include suicidal ideation on Native American reservations.
