About the Conference:

Co-hosted by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) and the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide and Depression Studies at St. Michael’s Hospital, this one-day conference will focus on the arts in the healing process for those affected by suicide, and will take place as part of our outreach in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.

This event on September 12, 2017 at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in Toronto will highlight a new perspective and direction for suicide research and healing, given that limited knowledge is currently available in the use of arts-based interventions in suicide studies. This event is open to researchers, front-line clinicians and therapists, survivors of suicide loss, survivors of suicide attempts and family and friends who have been affected by suicide and are interested in exploring the arts as part of the healing process. The two evening events will continue to promote the interactions of artists with participants while generating much-needed financial support for ongoing activities.

This conference will replace the annual CASP Conference in 2017.  CASP is currently engaged in a full review of its national strategic plan as part of its transition and relocation to our national capital in Ottawa.  Following the success of last year’s conference in Nunavut and, in response to requests for alternative themes and formats, the organizing committee is pleased to offer this year’s event. CASP looks forward to co-hosting, once again, a full, larger-scale convention in 2018.

Program:

September 11, 2017 - A gala kick-off dinner hosted at the Jazz Bistro featuring Shelley Marshall’s abridged production of: “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette”

September 12, 2017 - Day program: panel, symposia, workshop and "open-mic" style short presentations

September 12, 2017 - Evening program, presented by CASP, ASR and the MNjcc with support from Pfizer: an exclusive screening of “The S Word” followed by a panel presentation

Conference Mission:

Prevention, Intervention and Postvention (Hope, Help, and Healing) are the three areas of focus when working in the area of suicide. They can be understood as the before, during and after experiences of thoughts of suicide, attempts or death. 

PREVENTION is the umbrella in working toward reducing deaths by suicide; increasing awareness, eliminating stigma, knowing what to do in the event that you or someone you know experiences thoughts or behaviours associated with suicide. It’s having the skills, awareness, before someone is in crisis. Prevention efforts are bolstered by what is learned in the postvention process when we ask, “What are the policies, services, messages and supports needed to save lives?”

INTERVENTION includes coping and intervening in the event that you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thinking or behaviours.

POSTVENTION includes the skills and strategies for taking care of yourself or helping another person heal after the experience of suicide thoughts, attempts or death.