Kevin’s Song will host its 10th Annual Suicide Prevention Education Summit, The Power of 10: A Legacy of Hope, A Future of Possibility, Michigan’s largest symposium dedicated to suicide prevention. Presented in partnership with the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the summit brings together mental health professionals, educators, first responders, advocates, policymakers, and survivors for two days of learning, evidence-based strategies, and community support

This year’s summit will focus on practical, evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention and provide actionable tools and treatments aimed at assisting at-risk individuals and communities. The summit also provides support for survivors of suicide loss and those with a lived experience.

Attendees can earn continuing education credits and T.A.S.K.S. certification, attend breakout sessions, and participate in special programming including a dinner honoring Dr. Thomas Joiner and a Concert of Hope and Healing.

Thursday, January 22 – Friday, January 23, 2026
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. both days; programming runs throughout the day.

DAY 1: Thursday, January 22, 2026

Youth Mental Health & School Summit

Focus:
Suicide prevention strategies for educators, school-based professionals, youth-serving organizations, and clinicians supporting Michigan’s young people.

Keynote Speakers:

Cheryl King, PhD – Preventing Youth Suicide and Building Supportive Adult Networks for Young People at Risk

Roddia Hill, PsyD – Strengthening Protective Environments: Culturally Responsive Approaches to Suicide Prevention

Jaime Taylor, DO, MS, FAAFP – Wired to Feel: Understanding Adolescent Brain Development and Suicidal Risk

Larry Berkowitz, PhD – Best Practices for Suicide Postvention in Schools: Managing Dilemmas and Changing the Narrative

Breakout Sessions Include: Social media impacts on youth, adolescent drug use, gender and sexual orientation challenges, nutrition and mental health, and school-based interventions.

Evening Programming:

Complimentary reception

Ticketed dinner honoring Thomas Joiner, PhD (5–8 p.m.)

Concert of Hope and Healing featuring the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department

DAY 2: Friday, January 23, 2026

Clinical Advancements & Community Strategies

Focus:
Evidence-based treatments, research innovations, ethical considerations, and practical tools for clinicians and community advocates.

Keynote Speakers:

April Zeoli, PhD, MPH – Overview of Extreme Rick Protection Orders in Michigan and the Relevant Research

Craig Bryan, PsyD – New Generation Treatments to Prevent Suicide

DeQuincey Lezine – The Path Beyond the Crisis: Finding Possibilities for Growth

Thomas Joiner, PhD – Discussion of the Progress in Suicide Research and Prevention - What’s on the Horizon?

Breakout Sessions Include:
Suicide prevention among seniors, grief and postvention strategies, outreach in rural communities, ethical use of AI tools, and implementation of the Zero Suicide framework.

PRICE: Early bird rates are available through December 31, 2025. A two-day conference pass is $375 per person. Single-day registration is $225 per person for Thursday and $200 per person for Friday.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the two-day conference rate increases to $500 per person. Single-day registration will be $275 for Thursday and $250 for Friday. Student rates are $140 for the two-day pass. Single day registration is $75 for Thursday and $70 for Friday (valid student ID required, early bird pricing does not apply to student registrations).

A special Thursday evening dinner honoring Thomas Joiner PhD is being held from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., tickets are $40.

Visit www.kevinssong.org for more information or to register and to view the complete roster of conference events, speakers and breakout sessions.

Direct link to register: https://kevinssong.org/2026-suicide-prevention-education-summit/