Addressing Maternal Suicide: Public Health Challenges and Community Solutions

Virtual Conference

This conference is intended to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges surrounding maternal mental health and suicide, as well as practical tools and strategies to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Target Audience: Nurses, physicians, social workers, community health workers, and other related healthcare professionals

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

Perinatal Mental Health: Challenges and Solutions with Catherine E. Monk, Ph.D

This session will discuss two interrelated topics and their implications for clinical intervention: (1) parents’ prenatal impact on children’s brain-behavior development and (2) parents’ own psychosocial needs during the perinatal period, a time of immense change and neuroplasticity. Drawing on decades of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease research highlighting the prenatal beginnings of future health and new studies on the transition to parenthood describing adult development from pregnancy to early postpartum, we will propose that, similar to pediatrics, the integration of new education and intervention strategies into the prenatal care ecosystem could improve child cognitive and social-emotional development as well as parental mental health. We envision an enhanced prenatal care ecosystem to promote optimal beginnings for the whole family.

Screening and Interventions for Perinatal Mental Health with Crystal Clark, M.D., M.Sc.

This session will educate participants and provide practical clinical information on screening and interventions in perinatal mental health. In this session, the most evidence-based tools for screening depression and anxiety, and when best to complete screening will be discussed. Additionally, attendees will gain insights into both standard and novel treatment approaches, including culturally sensitive strategies to enhance patient care.

Supporting Families: Building Community-Based Networks with Nneka Symister, LCSW

This session will explore the critical role that community-driven initiatives play in preventing maternal suicide and supporting families facing maternal mental health challenges. The presentation will provide an in-depth look at how localized networks—composed of healthcare professionals, mental health providers, social workers, faith-based organizations, and community members—can effectively collaborate to create safe and supportive environments for families. The session will highlight key stakeholders in community health, share strategies for engaging families in these networks, and offer tools for implementing evidence-based, sustainable approaches that empower families.

Learning Outcome: Upon completion of the program, 85% of learners will report intent to incorporate information presented into their professional practice.

Disclosure/Commercial Support: The planners and speakers do not have any conflicts of interest to report for this activity. There is no commercial support for this activity.

Continuing Nursing Education Contact Hours: The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 4.0 contact hours. Each hour of attendance is equivalent to 1.0 contact hours. The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. P194- 3/23-26.

Approval status does not imply endorsement by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, NJSNA or by ANCC of any commercial products discussed/displayed in conjunction with the educational activity.

Successful Completion: To receive contact hours for this program, the registrant must log in to the webinar, attend at least one complete session of the presentation, and complete and submit an evaluation. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity within two weeks of the live event.

Cost: This program is free, but registration is required

Registration: Click Here to register

THIS CONFERENCE IS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH