2025 David Farber ASPIRE Center Suicide Prevention Symposium

This symposium brings together leading experts to provide healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention. 

 Keynote: Sylvanna Vargas PhD, MPH

The symposium features keynote speaker Dr. Sylvanna Vargas, a leading researcher in mental health disparities from San Diego State University, who will present Social Connection as an Opportunity for Intervention: Promoting Safety in Sexual Minority People of Color Experiencing Intersectional Minority Stress.

Her session explores how discrimination and social isolation contribute to suicide risk and highlights evidence-based strategies to enhance social support and care linkage in underserved populations.

Additional presentations include:
An Evidence-Based Approach to Suicide Risk Assessment
Matthew Wintersteen, PhD, Director, David Farber ASPIRE Center

Safety Planning with Youth and Families
Lucas Zullo PhD, Clinical Director, David Farber ASPIRE Center

Language, Bias, and Diagnostic Disparities in Suicide Prevention
Daria Williams, PsyD, David Farber ASPIRE Center

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will refine their ability to apply these strategies effectively in clinical settings.

Accredited by Thomas Jefferson University, this continuing education activity ensures that providers gain actionable skills aligned with current best practices in suicide prevention.

Successful Completion
To successfully complete this activity, the required evaluation must be completed no later than Monday, May 19, 2025. Thereafter, the evaluation will no longer be available and credits will not be issued. No refunds will be offered for failure to complete the required evaluation by the stated deadline.

1. Describe how language and implicit bias contribute to diagnostic disparities in evidence-based psychological interventions, as demonstrated through key research findings.
2. Explain the impact of bias in diagnostic processes and treatment outcomes, using examples from empirical studies.
3. Identify strategies for recognizing and reducing diagnostic disparities in clinical practice, based on current best practices in the field.
4. Identify intersectional discrimination within a broader system of stigma and oppression.
5. Describe how intersectional stressors impact depression and suicide risk.
6. List core components of a family-focused approach to youth suicide prevention.
7. Explain the importance of applying a trauma-informed lens to youth suicide prevention.
8. Describe how to develop an emotions thermometer and safety plan with a youth at risk for suicide.
9. Describe strategies that can assist with the collection of valid data from those being assessed for suicide risk
10. Assess individuals for suicide risk using an evidence-based approach.
11. Analyze how individual responses to suicide risk assessment help shape the picture of risk.

In support of improving patient care, Thomas Jefferson University is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Psychologists: This educational activity awards 5.50 CE credits.

Social Workers: NASW-PA Chapter is a co-sponsor of this workshop. 5.5 Suicide Prevention CEs will be awarded for completion of this course. NASW has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), Marriage and Family Therapist (Section 48.36) and Professional Counselors (Section 49.36) by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

Agenda
Agenda subject to change without notice.

Cancellation Policy
Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing and received in the Office of CPD two weeks prior to the start date of the course. There will be no refunds after this period.*  Cancellations notified before the two week time frame will incur a 25% administration fee (with a minimum of $20).  Registrants who fail to attend the conference are responsible for the entire fee.  All refunds will be processed after the conference.  The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone this course due to unforeseen circumstances.  In the event of cancellation or postponement, the University will refund registration fees, but is not responsible for related costs or expenses to participants, including cancellation fees assessed by hotels, airlines or travel agencies. 

*Registration fees will be refunded less a 15% administration fee to international conference registrants who are unable to secure a travel visa. Registrants must provide proof of visa denial. 

 Jefferson Release Policy
Jefferson may record/livestream/photograph this educational activity. These images/recordings, along with your name, may be used in Jefferson publications or on the Jefferson website. If you verbally submit any questions for Q&A sessions, you are agreeing to be recorded and to have that recording available in enduring materials. Once photographed, filmed, recorded, or videotaped, you waive the right of inspection or approval to which such images/recordings may be put and Jefferson has the right to use, publish, reproduce, modify, adapt, and distribute at any time in any manner or medium.

Jefferson HIPAA Policy
As an attendee of this educational activity hosted by Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson University Physicians, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc. (collectively 'Jefferson'), you may gain access to certain proprietary information ('Confidential Information'), including Protected Health Information ('PHI').

By participating in this educational activity, you agree to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information, including all PHI, obtained from any source. You also agree to take all necessary steps to protect such Confidential Information and shall not directly or indirectly disclose or use it in any manner or for any reason, other than as necessary to complete the educational activity. Further, you agree not to take photographs, record in any manner or otherwise reproduce any such Confidential Information. You understand that any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information may result in possible legal action against you by Jefferson whose confidentiality is breached.

Photography and Recording
Unauthorized recording or photography at a Jefferson-sponsored event is strictly prohibited. Individuals found violating this policy will be asked to vacate the activity. No credits or refund will be issued.

Copyright
All rights reserved – Thomas Jefferson University. No part of this program may be used, reproduced, or shared in any manner whatsoever without express written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews.

Jefferson Alumni Hall
1020 Locust Street | Room 207
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Directions

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Thomas Jefferson University adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education and the policies that supplement the Standards.

All planners, faculty, and others in control of educational content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with ACCME defined ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Any conflicts of interests have been mitigated prior to this educational activity. Such disclosures will be available prior to the start of the activity. Jefferson conflict of interest mitigation process may result in changes to the program agenda.

Off-Label/Investigational Use
All faculty/presenters/authors at Thomas Jefferson University sponsored events are required to disclose whether or not their content contains information of commercial products/devices that are unlabeled for use or investigational uses of products not yet approved. Product(s) is/are not included in the labeling approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of disease(s).

Content Disclaimer
The views expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of any manufacturer of pharmaceuticals or devices or Thomas Jefferson University.

It should be noted that the recommendations made herein with regard to the use of therapeutic agents, varying disease states, and assessments of risk, are based upon a combination of clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating presenters. The drug selection and dosage information presented in this activity are believed to be accurate. However, participants are urged to consult all available data on products and procedures before using them in clinical practice.

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Amanda Blue, MPH
Education Director
David Farber ASPIRE Center
Philadelphia, PA

Activity/Course Director

Nothing to disclose

Sylvanna Vargas, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Matthew B Wintersteen, PHD
Research Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Service/Associate Professor
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Lucas Zullo, PhD
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Daria Williams, PsyD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
David Farber ASPIRE Center
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Psychologist Planner

Nothing to disclose

Claire Bonesteel, BA
Education Coordinator
David Farber ASPIRE Center
Philadelphia, PA

Other Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

This educational activity received no commercial or in-kind support.