RMH Behavioral Health to Host Suicide Prevention Seminar | News

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Friday, August 20, 2010

RMH Behavioral Health to Host Suicide Prevention Seminar

5:41 AM

Contact: Debra Thompson
Director, RMH Corporate Communications
540-564-5886

In observance of National Suicide Prevention Month, RMH Behavioral Health will host a daylong suicide prevention seminar featuring national and regional experts on Sept. 7 at the RMH Grace Street Building (former RMH Outpatient Center).

Suicide takes the lives of more than 30,000 Americans every year, and is the 11th leading cause of death in Americans, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“We can’t always predict or prevent suicide, but we can educate ourselves and know the warning signs,” said James Styron, MD. “If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, take them seriously. Listen to what they are saying, get professional help, and don’t leave them alone. Support, information and hope are available.”

Those encouraged to attend the seminar include primary care providers, mental and public health providers, social workers, nurses, public safety and law enforcement officers, first responders, community leaders and advocates, survivors, family members, counselors, clergy and faith community leaders, educators and school administrators and elder services staff. All are welcome to attend.

The seminar will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Grace Street Building’s 4th floor conference center. The cost is $50; students receive a reduced rate of $15. Registration is required by calling RMH Healthsource at (800) 433-4580. Registration deadline is August 31. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

Speaker Bios

Pam Reese Comer, LPC, director of counseling services at Eastern Mennonite University, is a graduate of the EMU Master of Arts in Counseling program and JMU Master of Education in Counseling program. She is the clinical training coordinator for the EMU Master of Arts in Counseling program. Pam has over 20 years experience working with issues on death, dying and grief, has taught an undergraduate class on the sociology of death and dying, and has been a consultant and trainer for the Virginia Association for Hospices where she developed a state-wide grief network for professional and lay caregivers.

Randall B. Hook, MSW, LCSW, is an individual, marriage, and family therapist at RMH Behavioral Health. Randy also serves as coordinator of the RMH Partial Hospitalization Program. Previously, he served as executive director of The Center for Marriage and Family Counseling in Harrisonburg. In addition to his full-time position, Randy has worked as adjunct faculty at James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, Bridgewater College and Blue Ridge Community College, teaching courses in marriage, family and human development. He received his BS in psychology from Eastern Mennonite University and his master’s in social work from Tulane University in New Orleans.

David A. Jobes, Ph.D, ABPP is a professor of psychology and Associate Director of Clinical Training at The Catholic University of America. His newest book on his CAMS approach to suicide was published by Guilford Press in 2006. He is past president of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and is the recipient of their 1995 Edwin Shneidman Award in recognition of early career contribution to suicide research. Dr. Jobes is a consultant to the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. As a board certified clinical psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology), Dr. Jobes maintains a private clinical and forensic practice at the Washington Psychological Center.

Colleen Slipka, MD is a psychiatrist with the JMU Counseling and Student Development Center. She received her degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed her adult psychiatric training at University of Virginia and served as chief resident during her final year.

James Styron, MD, JD is a psychiatrist with RMH Valley Behavioral Medicine. He received his medical and law degrees simultaneously from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine and College of Law in 2005. He completed his adult psychiatric training at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and served as chief resident for the program during his final year.

Jane Wiggins, Ph.D. is a school psychologist who has developed a specialty in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Her expertise is in working with institutions that serve youth, particularly K-12 and higher education settings. She is currently the director of the Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia, a partnership between the Virginia Department of Health and the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services at JMU.