(Photo courtesy of City Club)
Nearly two people die in Oregon every day by suicide, one of the state’s most persistent yet largely preventable public health problems, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Suicide is complex, touching people of all ages and from all walks of life, making prevention the responsibility of an entire community. Please join us at this important forum to learn more about how suicide arises from the interaction of multiple risk factors, and how Zero Suicide—an evolving national initiative and aspirational goal—is aimed at addressing system gaps and providing best practices care.
PANELISTS:
Cheryl Emerson, MS, NCC, LPC
Cheryl Emerson is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Bend. She offers a wide variety of counseling services to adults, adolescents, couples and families. She holds a master’s degree in counseling (clinical mental health), is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors and is an adjunct instructor in the Masters in Counseling program at OSU-Cascades. She has served on the Deschutes County Advisory Team for the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant and the Deschutes County Suicide Prevention Advisory Council. She currently serves on the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance, the affiliated Primary Care Workgroup and the OSU-Cascades Health and Wellness Advisory Council. Cheryl trains and consults in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention using evidence-based practices and programs.
David Visiko, M.S., M.S., Deschutes County Health Services
David Visiko is Deschutes County Health Services Suicide Prevention Coordinator. He began his career in public health, working as a violence and sexual assault prevention coordinator, while obtaining a master’s degree in Buffalo, NY. Upon graduation, he accepted a health educator position at Oregon State University Health Services and created the Peer Health Advocates peer education group, while presenting on topics of alcohol, safer sex, sexual assault and prejudice reduction. David moved to Central Oregon and worked for seven years on tobacco control and health policy for Deschutes County Health Services before moving into his current position. He recently obtained his master’s degree in counseling at Oregon State University-Cascades.
MODERATOR:
Molly Wells Darling, LCSW
Molly Wells Darling is St. Charles Health System’s Director of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services, which covers all Emergency Department behavioral health services, the Psychiatric Services (PES) Unit and Sage View, a 15-bed adult psychiatric unit. Sage View is the only acute inpatient psychiatric facility east of the Cascades. Molly is one of the founding members of Crisis Intervention Training for Law Enforcement in this region, and has been instrumental in training law enforcement around the state in Crisis Intervention Training techniques for the last seven years. Molly has 22 years combined experience in emergency mental health evaluation and treatment, civil commitment services, inpatient psychiatric services, mental health treatment within the judicial system and outpatient treatment in the community mental health system.
When: Thursday, April 20
11:15 – 11:45am Networking
11:45am – 1pm Program
Where: Riverhouse on the Deschutes Convention Center
2850 NW Rippling River Court • Bend, OR 97701
Cost: $25 members / $40 non-members. Plated lunch is included.
To register, please visit www.cityclubco.org or call 541-633-7163. Registration closes at noon
on Monday, April 17. Registration fees must be paid in advance of the forum.
About City Club of Central Oregon
City Club of Central Oregon exists to be the top-of-mind hub for citizens and community leaders. We intentionally shape our community and influence public policy while preserving our uniquely warm and connected culture. We champion “passionately non-partisan” discussion between diverse perspectives.
Contact:
Joey Drucker, Executive Director
541-633-7163
info@CityClubCO.com
