The Los Angeles County Suicide Prevention (LASPN) hosted its 14th annual summit on Sep. 10 and 11 during Suicide Prevention Month at the California Endowment. This year’s theme was Shining Our Light Together: Destigmatizing and Preventing Suicide. The event brought together mental health professionals, advocates, survivors, providers, researchers, and representatives from various agencies and organizations to work together to decrease the number of suicides in Los Angeles County.
The first day’s highlight was the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, which performed songs of survival and joy. Several choir members also spoke about their own experiences and how they overcame their mental health struggles. There were also featured remarks by LACDMH Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong; Kristin Sakoda, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Director; Dr. Priya Batra, Deputy Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and more.
The second day featured a heartfelt, candid discussion between suicide attempt survivors and loved ones of people who died by suicide as well as keynote programming from Dino Alzadon, a Program Coordinator for Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, and a discussion with former foster youth from the National Foster Youth Institute. There were also remarks from D’Artagnan Scorza, Executive Director of Racial Equity for Los Angeles County, actress Sarah Gilman, and more.
Both days featured an awards ceremony, honoring committed suicide prevention advocates with the Dr. Sam Chan and Dr. James Cunningham Hero Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Hero Award for Collaboration, the Hero Award for Innovation, Sam & Lois Bloom Hero Award for Outstanding Advocacy, Dr. Elaine Leader Award for Outstanding Youth, and the Hero Award for Inspirational Mentorship. Attendees also participated in several wellness workshops and activities.
