Conversations That Matter: A Webinar Series on Suicide in Kane County
Free Weekly Webinars | Tuesdays, January 19 – February 9, 2027 | 7 pm
Talking about suicide can be difficult, but these conversations matter. The Kane County Health Department invites community members to join
Conversations That Matter: A Webinar Series on Suicide in Kane County, a free, four-part webinar series focused on suicide prevention, mental health, and supporting people who may be struggling.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, healthcare professional, or community member, these sessions will offer practical information to help you recognize warning signs, support someone who may be at risk, and connect people with resources.
The series will explore suicide prevention across different age groups, with special attention to the needs of teens and older adults. Participants will learn about ways to reduce suicide risk, create safer environments, and support individuals and communities following a suicide death.
You only need to register once for the entire series. Attend one session, several sessions, or all four. You do not need to register separately for each webinar. Spanish interpretation will be available.
REGISTER ONCE FOR ALL FOUR WEBINARS
Webinar Schedule
January 19, 2027, 7pm
Understanding Suicide: Recognizing the Signs and Knowing How to Respond
Learn about suicide risk, warning signs, and how to recognize when someone may need help. This session will explore how suicide risk and warning signs can differ across age groups, including teens and older adults.
Topics include:
- Kane County suicide rates and trends.
- Suicide risk and trends among different age groups.
- Warning signs and changes in behavior that may indicate someone is struggling.
- Risk factors affecting teens, including bullying, social isolation, academic pressure, social media, and family conflict.
- Challenges affecting older adults, including loneliness, bereavement, chronic illness, and loss of independence.
- How to respond when you are concerned about someone.
- Local resources and support services.
January 26, 2027, 7pm
Supporting Someone Who Is Struggling: Mental Health, Substance Use and Suicide Prevention
Dana Slowinski, AM, LCSW, Family Recovery Centers
Learn how to support someone experiencing mental health challenges, substance use, or suicidal thoughts. This session will explore how to approach difficult conversations, offer support, and help connect people with appropriate care.
Topics include:
- Mental health and substance use challenges among teens and older adults.
- How depression and suicidal thoughts may present differently across age groups.
- Supporting teens through the roles of parents, caregivers, trusted adults, and schools.
- Supporting older adults experiencing grief, isolation, or health-related challenges.
- How to talk with someone who may be reluctant to accept help.
- Local resources and support services.
February 2, 2027, 7pm
Creating Safer Environments: Lethal Means Safety and Suicide Prevention
Steve McHugh, BeSmart for Kids
Learn how reducing access to potentially dangerous items during a mental health crisis can help prevent suicide. This session will focus on practical, nonjudgmental approaches to firearm and medication safety.
Topics include:
- Safe firearm storage in homes with children, teens, or someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
- How parents and caregivers can help limit access to firearms and medications.
- Medication safety, particularly for older adults who may take multiple prescriptions.
- Medication disposal and drug take-back resources.
- Temporary off-site firearm storage options during periods of increased risk.
- Firearm Restraining Orders (FROs) and available resources.
- Local resources and support services.
February 9, 2027, 7pm
After Suicide: Understanding Loss, Grief and Community Postvention
Suicide affects families, friends, schools, workplaces, and entire communities. Learn how to support people who have experienced a suicide loss and how communities can respond in ways that promote healing and reduce further risk.
Topics include:
- How children and teens experience and process suicide loss.
- Supporting students, classmates, and school communities after a suicide death.
- Suicide loss among older adults, including the loss of a spouse, partner, or longtime friend.
- Recognizing grief-related mental health concerns and increased vulnerability.
- Communicating about suicide death in age-appropriate and supportive ways.
- Postvention strategies for schools, senior communities, workplaces, and families.
- Local resources and support services.
Who Should Attend?
These webinars are designed for anyone interested in learning more about suicide prevention and supporting mental health in Kane County, including:
- Parents, guardians, and caregivers.
- Educators, school staff, and youth-serving professionals.
- Healthcare and behavioral health professionals.
- Professionals who work with older adults.
- Community organizations and service providers.
- Anyone concerned about a friend, family member, or neighbor.
Registration Information
Registration is free and required to get the Zoom link. You only need to register once for the entire four-part series.
When you register, you will receive access information for all four webinars. You can attend whichever sessions interest you, whether that is one session or all four. After registering, check your email for the confirmation and webinar joining information. Keep the email so you can easily access each session.
REGISTER ONCE FOR ALL FOUR WEBINARS
Need Help Now?
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, help is available.
You do not have to navigate these conversations alone. Learning how to recognize the signs, offer support, and connect people with help can make a difference.
