10/07/2026
Grateful to have spent September 29–30 in Ithaca at the New York State Su***de Prevention Conference, hosted by Su***de Prevention Center of New York
It was energizing to be in a room with people from every corner of the state (healthcare, crisis response, schools, first responders, veterans, faith communities, and people with lived experience) all focused on the same goal. The workshops gave a clear picture of what's happening across New York right now, with a strong focus on reaching rural communities and OCSPC left with ideas we're excited to bring home to Onondaga County.
The biggest reminder: su***de prevention is a community effort. No single agency or person carries it alone.
A few shoutouts:
👏 for organizing such a thoughtful conference
👏 Myrla Gibbons-Doxey and Connie Desmarais of Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services for "The Power of We." From WellNiagara to youth engagement to messaging on coffee sleeves, they showed how small, creative touchpoints can spark real change. So much inspiration to borrow from!
👏 Conor Hammersley, PhD, of the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) for shining a light on farmer mental health. His session explored how isolation, identity, economic uncertainty, and masculinity shape outcomes for farmers, including migrant farmworkers. Meeting people where they are includes the farm.
***dePrevention
