2026 Suicide Prevention Summit: A Community Responsibility
Tuesday, April 28, 2026: Fort Lewis College Student Union
General Session:
Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend the General Session! From 4:30-8:15pm, community members are welcome to join us to learn from keynote speakers as well as breakout sessions. Breakout sessions will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn, collaborate, and innovate suicide prevention efforts in La Plata County.
Keynote Speakers
Opening: County Commissioner Matt Salka
Keynote: Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas, Psy.D.
Co-Founder & President, United Suicide Survivors International
Closing: Sydney Donnelly
La Plata County Suicide Prevention Coordinator & Facilitator of La Plata County Suicide Prevention Collaborative
**Check back in to learn more about these speakers, their backgrounds/expertise, and how their vision for suicide prevention.
Breakout Sessions
**Attendees will have the opportunity to choose 2/5 of the following breakout sessions dependent on special interests and curiosities around suicide prevention.
Training: Warning Signs and How to Talk with Someone Struggling with Mental Health
Learn how to identify warning signs of a mental health challenge and how to support someone struggling with mental health challenges.
Workshop: Supporting Men’s Mental Health:
Working-age men are the most impacted by suicide in La Plata County and across Colorado. Learn about initiative in other mountain towns, and brainstorm ways to increase mental wellness among middle-aged men in La Plata County
Presentations: Learn about Lived Experience of Survivors
Learn about stories of those who have lost loved ones to suicide and those who have survived suicide attempts themselves.
Presentation: When do Youth Need an Intervention
Learn when youth need intervention, and what steps to take when suicide prevention becomes clinical.
Roundtable Discussion: Suicide Prevention in Mountain Towns
Learn why suicide rates are higher in mountain towns, and how our community can counter risk factors with protective factors.
Pre-Session for Working Professionals:
This Pre-Session is open to any working professional who touches suicide prevention work through connectedness, education, economic stability, access to care, and/or postvention. Those from healthcare, education, first responders, non-profit, and other sectors are welcome to join from 2:00-4:30 to learn about cross-sector collaboration and gain skills they can add to their toolbox. Registration is free and strongly encouraged to help support planning. The first 20 professionals to register will receive a FREE T-shirt. Pre-session attendees are encouraged to stay for the general session.
Keynote Speakers
Opening: Shawna Legarza, La Plata County Manager
Keynote Speaker: Josh Neff, President of Mercy Hospital
Closing speaker: Mason Dyar, Special Projects Manager for Upper Pine River Fire Protection District
**Check back in to learn more about these speakers, their backgrounds/expertise, and how their vision for suicide prevention.
Breakout Sessions
**Attendees will have the opportunity to choose 2/5 of the following breakout sessions dependent on special interests and curiosities around suicide prevention.
Walkthrough: Crisis Scenarios and Resources with Axis Health System
Learn about professional options to refer someone to when encountering a crisis. Axis Crisis Team will provide some real, de-identified scenarios as well as different paths that were available.
Panel Discussion: Navigating Behavioral Health Services and Gaps in La Plata County
Learn from various organizations about various long-term behavioral health care options in La Plata County.
Roundtable Discussion: Peer Support and Wellness for Care Providers and First Responders
This session invites healthcare and frontline workers to share the reality of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Learn how to support yourself and your co-workers in this breakout session.
Round Robin Discussion: Cultural Considerations in Care
Learn about providing care that addresses specific cultural needs of various communities.
Workshop: Partnering with Schools and Youth Suicide Prevention
Learn about supports offered in schools and opportunities for collaboration.
Check back in to learn about continuing education credits being offered!
Tentative Agenda
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1:45-2:00pm: Doors Open
2:00-2:05: Welcoming & Introductions
2:05-2:15pm: Opening Remarks
2:15-2:45pm: Keynote Speaker
2:50-3:30pm: Breakout Session 1
3:35-4:15: Breakout Session 2
4:20-4:30: Closing Remarks
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As pre-session attendees take a break and general session attendees get checked in, there will be opportunities for:
A free meal and refreshments
Resource Fair highlighting resources and supports for La Plata County
Data gallery and poster participation
chances to get involved, ask questions, and win prizes!
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5:30-5:35: Welcome
5:35-5:45: Opening Remarks
5:45-6:15: Keynote Speaker
6:25-7:05: Breakout Session 1
7:15-7:55: Breakout Session 2
8:05-8:15: Closing Remarks
We are grateful and appreciative to all of our sponsors who are making this event a truly collaborative effort! Check back in soon to learn who is working behind the scenes to make this event possible!
Is your organization interested in sponsoring this event? Contact sdonnelly@lpcgov.org with interest!