Local Catholic lay leaders and clergy have been encouraged to attend the Interfaith Suicide Prevention Summit for Faith Leaders on Oct. 29 at the Gail Miller SLCC Conference Center in Sandy. The event aims to provide clergy and lay leaders with practical tools to better support parishioners struggling with addiction and their families.
The summit's theme is Connection over Addiction: The Lifeline That Prevents Suicide. Christena Huntsman, CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, is scheduled to serve as the keynote speaker. Huntsman will share the story of the loss of her sister to an overdose death and how that experience led to the creation of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The presentation will include a discussion regarding the current mental health system and the necessity for change.
Organized with help from Benée Larsen, director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness- Utah Suicide Prevention, the summit seeks to address the suicide epidemic in the United States. Larsen stated that the goal is to provide leaders with the knowledge to strengthen resilience, prevent suicide, and offer care to those affected by a suicide death. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a lunch featuring an interfaith prayer delivered by deacon candidate Kevin Cummings on behalf of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
The summit will feature breakout sessions involving therapists and faith leaders. Topics include identifying when someone needs clinical help, grief literacy following a suicide or opioid death, sexual addiction involving young adults with lived experience, and modern addictions. A panel discussion will also allow faith leaders to share experiences regarding ministering to those facing addiction and suicidal ideation.
The free summit is sponsored by the Utah Suicide Prevention Committee and Coalition and will be held as a hybrid in-person and virtual event. Interested participants may register at https://form.jotform.com/262004948004147. The registration process allows individuals to select whether they will attend in person or online, though not all breakout sessions will be available virtually. The physical location is 9492 South 300 West, Sandy Civic Center, Sandy.
