2026 Montana Conference on Suicide Prevention

Learn about suicide prevention strategies in the state and across the nation.
About this Event

The Montana Conference on Suicide Prevention is the only annual statewide conference of its kind in Montana.

Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Montana Chapter, this conference brings together advocates and professionals in learning about suicide prevention strategies in the state and across the nation and equips attendees with strategies in preventing suicide.

The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

The target audience includes: advocates, psychiatrists and other physicians, psychologists, therapists, nurses, physician's assistants and regular Montana citizens interested in preventing suicide. Continuing Education Units are available to conference attendees at no charge.

More information can be found on our conference website: montanaCOSP.org

We are able to offer live-stream of certain sessions.

• Nursing Contact Hours are ONLY available for IN-PERSON attendance.
• Behavioral Health CEUs may be offered for certain virtual sessions.
• Due to increasing costs of hosting the event, we are no longer able to offer virtual attendance at no charge.

Please only register for one ticket, either in-person OR virtual.

Agenda

🕑: 07:30 AM - 07:55 AM
Attendee Check In
🕑: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Opening Remarks

Info: We will start with opening remarks at 8 a.m.

🕑: 08:15 AM - 09:15 AM
Keynote
Host: Dr. Holly C. Wilcox, PhD, MA

Info: A Public Health Approach: Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Montana 988 Conversation
Host: Jackie Gittins
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Panel / Q&A
🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:40 AM
IMPACT Awards
🕑: 11:40 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch on your Own
🕑: 01:10 PM - 03:10 PM
Breakout 1 Session 1
Host: Kevin Kloster, MDiv, CTP, CGP

Info: Moral Injury & Suicide Prevention: Building Moral Resilience and Community Healing in Diverse Montana Populations

🕑: 01:10 PM - 02:25 PM
Breakout 2 • Session 1
Host: Dr. Tina Barrett, EdD, LCPC

Info: RECHARGE: Fostering Compassion Resilience

🕑: 01:10 PM - 02:10 PM
Breakout 3 • Session 1
Host: Katie K May

Info: Stop Fixing Teens! How Systems Create Safety, Change, and Lives Worth Living

🕑: 03:10 PM - 04:10 PM
Breakout 1 Session 2
Host: Selin Kelly, LCSW

Info: Holding the Weight: Sustaining Healthcare Workers in High-Impact Communities

🕑: 02:40 PM - 03:10 PM
Breakout 2 • Session 2
Host: Keely Mills, MS

Info: Case Management as Suicide Prevention

🕑: 02:10 PM
Breakout 3 • Session 2
Host: Tracy Rassley

Info: Caring Communities: Guidance for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss

🕑: 03:10 PM - 04:10 PM
Breakout 2 • Session 3
Host: Mike McManus

Info: Bridging the Gap: A Community-Embedded Rural Resource Navigator Model to Prevent Veteran Suicide

🕑: 03:10 PM - 04:10 PM
Breakout 3 • Session 3
Host: Lucas Swennson

Info: Fireside Chat with Lucas Swennson Moderated by Dr. Jennifer Preble and Jamie Knott