Minnesota Suicide Prevention Conference

Don’t miss the first annual conference – register now!

The inaugural Minnesota Suicide Prevention Conference will bring together suicide prevention professionals, coalition leaders, public health staff, government staff, mental health professionals, and community leaders for two days of learning, networking and skill-building to enhance suicide prevention efforts across the state. The conference theme is: “Hope in Action: Building Community Connection to Prevent Suicide.”

Date: May 6-8, 2026

Location: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Conference highlights: Three keynote presentations, four workshops, two “lightening round” sessions with four topics/presenters, 15 one-hour breakout sessions

Keynote speakers:

• “We Are the Medicine: Building the ecosystem to take positive childhood experiences and community flourishing to scale.” – Dr. Christina Bethell, Researcher, Johns Hopkins University. This session will synthesize the science of flourishing and discuss concrete evidence, models, tools and practices that build on existing health, education, social services and community-based strengths and resources to prioritize the “through any door” promotion of flourishing capacities as a critical population wellbeing strategy.
• “Leaders Who CARE, Change Everything.” – Gaelin Elmore, Trainer. And Belonging Expert. The session includes information about CARE Model (Compassionate, Authentic, Resilient, and Empowering), the latest scientific research that affirms belonging is the missing link everyone needs, and practical strategies to immediately integrate a sense of belonging into the lives of people you serve.
• “Healing the Whole Self: Suicide Prevention through Cultural Access & Positive Identity Development.” – Anton Treuer, Author, Speaker, Trainer, Professor of Ojibwe, Bemidji State University. This session invites participants to reimagine suicide prevention beyond clinical frameworks—centered on restoring connection to language, identity, and community as vital components of whole-person wellness. Attendees will leave with insights and practical tools to foster inclusion, cultural strength, and hope in their own professional and personal spheres.

The full conference agenda will be available soon!

Visit Minnesota Suicide Prevention Conference to learn more and register.

NOTE: A limited number of scholarships are available. Please reach out to MNsuicidepreventionconference@gmail.com to request a scholarship application.