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2025 Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference
35th Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference
Lean In and Listen
Hosted by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), this conference provides a forum for diverse perspectives including researchers, front-line clinicians, individuals with lived experience, First People’s teachings, and sector professionals from across the country.
With this year’s theme, ‘Lean In and Listen,’ we strive to foster conversations that enhance understanding, inspire transformative change, and advocate for inclusive, evidence-based practices.
A veteran broadcaster and former host of TSN’s Off The Record, Michael Landsberg is as brash, witty, and smart as you’d expect—but that’s not all. He’s also one of the country’s most staunch and vocal mental health advocates. After publicly talking about his own struggle with depression for decades, Landsberg founded #SickNotWeak: a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating stigma and building community. In talks, he shows us that the road to healing begins with non-judgemental conversation.
In his documentary Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports, and Me, Landsberg opened up about his own struggles with depression, as well as interviewing famous guests about their own battles. Darkness and Hope was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and Landsberg was personally honored with the organization’s Humanitarian Award. The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health also named Landsberg one of its Champions of Mental Health.
Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psy.D.
“Dr. Sally” is a clinical psychologist and award-winning mental health advocate with lived experience of losing her beloved brother to suicide. As the co-founder and President of United Suicide Survivors International, Sally’s mission is to give voice to people with lived experiences of mental health challenges including addiction, trauma, and suicide. Dr. Sally’s goal is to help those in despair to rekindle a passion for living. Her approach is to empower leaders and communities to implement innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable strategies for mental health promotion, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention.
Dr. Sally is the lead author of the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention and co-founder of “Man Therapy”. She also co-edited the Guts, Grit & the Grind book series that provides men and the people who love them with tools to help them better understand and cope with life’s challenges. Her leadership experiences include past Executive Secretary of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Executive Board Member of the American Association of Suicidology, Co-Chair for the Lived Experience Advisory Committee for 988, and many other board and Chair positions at the national level.
This year’s conference theme is “Lean In and Listen” and will include plenary and breakout sessions covering five streams.
Indigenous/Life Promotion – for example: life promotion, innovative programming, Indigenous groups globally, ‘hope, healing and ceremony’, Truth & Reconciliation.
People with Lived Experience – for example: prevention, intervention, postvention, suicide bereavement, traumatic bereavement, prolonged grief disorder.
Populations – for example: LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, men, post-secondary students, seniors, people with disabilities, intersectional programming, people living with mental illness, immigrants/refugees/newcomers.
Occupations – for example: first responders, hospitality industry, farmers, healthcare professionals, military/veterans, construction workers, legal professionals.
Research & Trends – for example: global trends, best practices / evidence-based practices, innovation, trauma informed practice, intersectional programming, medical assistance in dying for mental illness, DSM-6, ethics, means restriction, national and provincial strategies.
May 13, 2025 Pre-Conference Healing Day Workshops & Events (Further Details)
COMING SOON! Subscribe to our free newsletter to be apprised when registration opens and our program is released.
Please note that the conference will be conducted in English and there will not be any translation services available.
Registration prices do not include the cost of transportation and accommodations.
Registration includes:
Light breakfast Wednesday-Friday.
Light refreshments during afternoon breaks Wednesday and Thursday.
Lunch on Wednesday and Thursday.
Welcome reception on Wednesday from 4:00pm – 5:30pm.
Connect & Converse on Wednesday & Thursday.
Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday.
****Age Limit*** This conference is exclusively for participants aged 18 and over.
REFUND POLICY: The event platform fees are NOT refundable. The ticket price is refundable up to May 1, 2025. After that date, there are NO refunds, but the ticket purchaser can transfer the ticket to another person.
HEALING DAY – TUESDAY MAY 13, 2025 (PRE-CONFERENCE separate event)
Healing Day is for anyone with experiences of suicide thoughts, behaviours or loss. If you are a person with lived experience, a family member, a friend, a clinician, a caregiver or a researcher impacted by suicide, we welcome you to join us for a day of reflection, hope and healing. This pre-conference day provides attendees with experiential workshops and sessions that offer new tools and resources to support our unique healing journeys.
We recommend booking your accommodations prior to buying your registration since tickets are not fully refundable and the hotels could be fully booked – please read our registration/ticket refund policy.
Discount code – Once registration opens, we will provide a link to a discounted rate at the venue hotel. Rooms are limited and this link expires when the discounted rooms are sold out or on April 21, 2025, whichever comes first. If you are able to book a room for some of the nights of your stay but not all of the nights, please contact us and we might be able to help.
Parking
Complimentary On-Site Parking. Parking available in front of hotel, and 3 levels of additional underground parking available in the attached parking garage. Parking charges are subject to change.
FAQ
This conference is not accredited and does not qualify for continuing education credits.
This is an in-person only event.
We are a charitable organization and, unfortunately, we do not have the financial resources to subsidize attendance for the conference.
The fees charged on the tickets are NOT refundable. The ticket price is refundable up to May 1, 2025. After that date, there are NO refunds, but you can transfer your ticket to another person. The purchaser of the ticket can request the transfer.
35th Annual National Suicide Prevention Conference
Lean In and Listen
Hosted by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), this conference provides a forum for diverse perspectives including researchers, front-line clinicians, individuals with lived experience, First People’s teachings, and sector professionals from across the country.
With this year’s theme, ‘Lean In and Listen,’ we strive to foster conversations that enhance understanding, inspire transformative change, and advocate for inclusive, evidence-based practices.
Keynote Speakers
Michael Landsberg
A veteran broadcaster and former host of TSN’s Off The Record, Michael Landsberg is as brash, witty, and smart as you’d expect—but that’s not all. He’s also one of the country’s most staunch and vocal mental health advocates. After publicly talking about his own struggle with depression for decades, Landsberg founded #SickNotWeak: a nonprofit dedicated to eradicating stigma and building community. In talks, he shows us that the road to healing begins with non-judgemental conversation.
In his documentary Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports, and Me, Landsberg opened up about his own struggles with depression, as well as interviewing famous guests about their own battles. Darkness and Hope was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and Landsberg was personally honored with the organization’s Humanitarian Award. The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health also named Landsberg one of its Champions of Mental Health.
Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psy.D.
“Dr. Sally” is a clinical psychologist and award-winning mental health advocate with lived experience of losing her beloved brother to suicide. As the co-founder and President of United Suicide Survivors International, Sally’s mission is to give voice to people with lived experiences of mental health challenges including addiction, trauma, and suicide. Dr. Sally’s goal is to help those in despair to rekindle a passion for living. Her approach is to empower leaders and communities to implement innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable strategies for mental health promotion, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention.
Dr. Sally is the lead author of the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention and co-founder of “Man Therapy”. She also co-edited the Guts, Grit & the Grind book series that provides men and the people who love them with tools to help them better understand and cope with life’s challenges. Her leadership experiences include past Executive Secretary of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Executive Board Member of the American Association of Suicidology, Co-Chair for the Lived Experience Advisory Committee for 988, and many other board and Chair positions at the national level.
Supporter Sponsor
Friend Sponsor
Exhibitors
Program Information
Venue Location: Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites 600 Highway 7, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4B 1B2
This year’s conference theme is “Lean In and Listen” and will include plenary and breakout sessions covering five streams.
Indigenous/Life Promotion – for example: life promotion, innovative programming, Indigenous groups globally, ‘hope, healing and ceremony’, Truth & Reconciliation.
People with Lived Experience – for example: prevention, intervention, postvention, suicide bereavement, traumatic bereavement, prolonged grief disorder.
Populations – for example: LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, men, post-secondary students, seniors, people with disabilities, intersectional programming, people living with mental illness, immigrants/refugees/newcomers.
Occupations – for example: first responders, hospitality industry, farmers, healthcare professionals, military/veterans, construction workers, legal professionals.
Research & Trends – for example: global trends, best practices / evidence-based practices, innovation, trauma informed practice, intersectional programming, medical assistance in dying for mental illness, DSM-6, ethics, means restriction, national and provincial strategies.
May 13, 2025 Pre-Conference Healing Day Workshops & Events (Further Details)
May 14, 2025
9:00am-3:30pm: Opening Ceremonies, Breakout Sessions, Keynote Speakers
3:30pm-4:00pm Connect & Converse
4:00pm-5:30pm: Welcome Reception
May 15, 2025
9:00am-3:30pm: Breakout Sessions & Keynote Speakers
3:30pm-4:00pm Connect & Converse
4:00pm-5:00pm: Remembrance Ceremony
May 16, 2025
9:00am-12:00pm: Breakout Sessions, Keynote Speaker & Closing Plenary
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
COMING SOON! Subscribe to our free newsletter to be apprised when registration opens and our program is released.
Please note that the conference will be conducted in English and there will not be any translation services available.
Registration prices do not include the cost of transportation and accommodations.
Registration includes:
****Age Limit*** This conference is exclusively for participants aged 18 and over.
REFUND POLICY: The event platform fees are NOT refundable. The ticket price is refundable up to May 1, 2025. After that date, there are NO refunds, but the ticket purchaser can transfer the ticket to another person.
HEALING DAY – TUESDAY MAY 13, 2025 (PRE-CONFERENCE separate event)
Healing Day is for anyone with experiences of suicide thoughts, behaviours or loss. If you are a person with lived experience, a family member, a friend, a clinician, a caregiver or a researcher impacted by suicide, we welcome you to join us for a day of reflection, hope and healing. This pre-conference day provides attendees with experiential workshops and sessions that offer new tools and resources to support our unique healing journeys.
Healing Day Location: Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites 600 Highway 7, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4B 1B2
Tuesday May 13, 2025 from 9:00am-4:30pm (registration includes; lunch, snacks, coffee, tea, and water).
Hotel Accommodations
We recommend booking your accommodations prior to buying your registration since tickets are not fully refundable and the hotels could be fully booked – please read our registration/ticket refund policy.
The conference is taking place at Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites 600 Highway 7, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4B 1B2.
Discount code – Once registration opens, we will provide a link to a discounted rate at the venue hotel. Rooms are limited and this link expires when the discounted rooms are sold out or on April 21, 2025, whichever comes first. If you are able to book a room for some of the nights of your stay but not all of the nights, please contact us and we might be able to help.
Parking
Complimentary On-Site Parking. Parking available in front of hotel, and 3 levels of additional underground parking available in the attached parking garage. Parking charges are subject to change.
FAQ
Resources
Suicide Prevention Flyer and Tear Sheet
Printable pdf to promote suicide prevention and bereavement resources.
Suicide Bereavement Support Groups: Guide
Best practices for facilitating safe and effective suicide bereavement support groups.
After a Suicide Attempt – A Guide for Family and Friends
A Guide for Family and Friends
Trauma-informed Care and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach that asks: “What happened to you?”
Toolkit for People Impacted by a Suicide Attempt
Tools. strategies, and resources to help cope with thoughts of suicide
Suicide Risk Assessment Kit
A high-level overview of what to consider when using suicide risk assessment tools
Toolkit for People Impacted by a Suicide Loss
A summary of tools and supports to help cope with suicide loss
Together to Live
This is a guide to preventing suicide in your community. The guide will walk you through creating a community suicide prevention plan.
The Promoting Life Together Collaborative
Sharing the Story of the Promoting Life Together Collaborative
Suicide is Everyone’s Business
The four steps in Suicide Prevention and universal responsibilities of the community, healthcare, and government.
Supporting Children and Youth to Grieve After Suicide Loss
This guide is designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of children and youth
Talking to Children About A Suicide
This guide is designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers of children under 12
Bullying and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Types of bullying and how to help
Vocabulary – How to Talk about Suicide
Engage in dialogue with compassion and curiosity that can promote understanding and connection
Guidelines for Sharing Experiences with Suicide
These guidelines encourage public sharing of experiences that will be safe for everyone to hear
You Can Help With Suicide Prevention
Nine things you can do to help
CASP Urges Canadian Government to Ensure all Indigenous Peoples Have Human Rights Met
CASP calls upon the Government of Canada to act on their pledge
Related Information
Lean in and Listen
Ribbons
Trauma-informed Care and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Bullying and Suicide – Fact Sheet
Injury Prevention and Suicide – Fact Sheet
After a Suicide Attempt – A Guide for Family and Friends
Ways to Donate
Support for People Living with Loss
I Survived a Suicide Attempt
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Resources
Partner Resources
Media
Life Promotion
I’m Having Thoughts of Suicide
Host An Event
Articles
Advocacy
Why Do People Die by Suicide?
Considerations for Online Support Groups
Promoting Hope and Resiliency is Central to Suicide Prevention
Having Hope
How To Handle Distress Calls At Work
CASP Strongly Believes Canada Needs A National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Forests of Hope – New Program
CASP Issues Statement About MAiD for Mental Illness
Events