The Nexus of Substance Misuse Prevention and Suicide Prevention

The Great Lakes PTTC is providing a 3-part series on the nexus of substance misuse and other public health issues. We will be exploring the nexus of substance misuse and mental health conditions, suicide, and problem gambling. This “nexus” provides an opportunity for prevention specialists and other behavioral health leaders to develop a cohesive strategy within a public health framework to reduce the rates of all four behavioral health problems.

The three webinars in this series will provide state and community substance misuse prevention practitioners with information on the scope of each problem, an understanding of traditional barriers to collaboration and current programming, and ways to work together. The three sessions are:

• Nexus of Substance Misuse Prevention and Mental Health Promotion
• Nexus of Substance Misuse Prevention and Problem Gambling Prevention
• Nexus of Substance Misuse Prevention and Suicide Prevention

Nexus of Substance Misuse Prevention and Suicide Prevention

The focus of this session is on the nexus between substance misuse prevention and suicide prevention efforts. While multiple factors influence suicidal behaviors, substance use—especially alcohol use—is a significant factor that is linked to a substantial number of suicides and suicide attempts.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Discuss the complex relationship between suicide and substance misuse.
• List shared risk and protective factors between suicide and substance misuse disorders
• List the barriers to collaboration between the suicide prevention field and substance misuse prevention
• Describe collaboration strategies for substance use prevention professionals and the suicide prevention field to improve public health and community conditions.

The Great Lakes PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

PRESENTERS: 

Jana Boocock, MSW

Jana Boocock is a Senior Prevention Specialist on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) project. Jana’s primary experience includes managing the implementation of suicide and substance use prevention programming in South Dakota communities. Jana received her Master of Social Work in 2021 from Arizona State University and is a Certified Addiction Counselor and Certified Prevention Specialist. In addition to her state and community led prevention experience, Jana also has experience working with youth and adults experiencing behavioral health disorders within the community.

Alex Karydi, PhD

Alex Karydi leads and provides technical assistance for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s States and Communities Initiative. Before joining EDC, she served as the Director of Project 2025 at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and was the director of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, a global leader in LGBTQ healthcare.

Karydi is a certified addictions counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Fluent in French and English, Alex holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University and a PhD in Clinical Sexology from the American Academy of Clinical Sexology.