AHI Connection Sessions
Connecting Adolescent Health Professionals
Connection Sessions are one-day symposia focusing on one specific topic in adolescent health for an interdisciplinary audience of health care professionals.
2026 Connection Session
The 2026 Connection Session, Recognize, Connect, Support: Understanding Youth Suicide Prevention, will take place Monday, June 1, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT. It will be held in-person at the University of Michigan's North Campus Research Complex (2800 Plymouth Rd Building 18, Ann Arbor, MI 48109).
This half-day symposium will explore the role of providers and other youth-supporting health care professionals in identifying youth at risk for suicide or self-harm and linking them to supportive services. Through presentations, a youth panel discussion, and roleplays, attendees will gain specific knowledge and strategies to respond to the growing crisis of youth suicide.
Registration is now closed.
The 2026 Connection Session is made possible by the generous support of the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center.
Schedule of Events
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Registration and Continental Breakfast (starting at 8 a.m.)
- Welcome and Setting the Stage
- Understanding Youth Suicide: Data & Trends - An evidence-driven exploration of adolescent suicide and self-harm data, from national trends to local developments.
- Lindsay DeCamp, MHA: State Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
- Lived Experiences Panel Discussion: Youth Voices - Young people share their journeys navigating crisis within the health care system.
- Listening, Affirming, and Responding: Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive Suicide Risk Care for Youth - Examining youth suicide support through the lens of cultural responsiveness and intersectional identities.
- Polly Gipson Allen, PhD: Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Associate Chair Belonging and Community Engagement, Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine
Graphic recording of a session at the 2025 Connection Session by Yen Azzaro.
- From Knowledge to Practice: Suicide Prevention Skills for Pediatric Healthcare Providers - An interactive session covering engagement strategies in health care settings and an explanation of tools.
- Emily Jacobson, MD: Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Fellowship Program Director, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School
- Syma Khan, MSW, MPH: Clinical Social Worker, Pediatric Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry and Project Manager for the Preventing Youth Suicide Initiative at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
- Nasuh Malas, MD, MPH, DFAACAP: Division Director and Service Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Associate Chair for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School
- Closing Remarks
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Identify two risk factors associated with youth suicide or self-harm.
- Describe one strategy used to recognize and respond to suicide risk among diverse populations.
- Recognize and respond to two warning signs associated with youth suicide or self-harm.
Educational Planner:
- Terrill Bravender, MD, MPH
Educational Co-Planners:
- Isabelle Birt, MPH
- Aubrey Huff, MPA
- Elizabeth Kuzma, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
- Scott Mooney, MA
- Susan Radzilowski, MSW, LMSW, ACSW
- Dana Thomas, MPH
- Lauren Vasquez, MS, CHES
Activity Coordinators:
- Isabelle Birt, MPH
- Aubrey Huff, MPA
- General registration: $60
Student registration: $50
Students must provide verification that they are enrolled in school for spring, summer, or fall sessions of 2026.
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting opportunities? Reach out to AHI's Training & Outreach team at [email protected].
This activity is approved for:
- 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ (CME)
- 3.75 ANCC Contact Hours (Nursing)
- 3.5 Social Work Continuing Education Credits
- 3.5 CHES® Category I continuing education contact hours (CECH)
- 3.25 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (MI educator CE)
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providerships of the University of Michigan Medical School and the Adolescent Health Initiative. The University of Michigan Medical School is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation AMA PRA Category 1 The University of Michigan Medical School designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 3.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
University of Michigan Health Nursing Professional Development & Education is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Who Should Attend Connection Sessions?
Connection Session professional development opportunities aim to connect health professionals to community resources and others in the field.
The target audience for Connection Sessions is:
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Counselors
- Health Center Managers
- Other Health Care Professionals
- House Officers
- Medical Students
- Administrators
- Youth-Serving Community Professionals
Past Connection Sessions
Learn more about and explore content from previous Connection Sessions.
