Hello Connection Members & Friends,

Sarah Bassing-Sutton, Executive Director
The Connection

Want to learn more about The Connection's member meetings?

Visit our Member Meetings page to view upcoming meeting dates, access Zoom links and calendar invitations, and browse slides, recordings, and materials from past meetings. Whether you're a longtime member or new to The Connection, it's a great way to stay informed and connected to regional mental health initiatives and collaborative efforts.

The Connection and The Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team are hosting a new four-part education series, beginning Sept. 3, that explores the underlying factors that can contribute to suicide, overdose, and alcohol-related deaths.

The training series is designed for healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, social workers, public health professionals, and other frontline staff. Participants can attend individual sessions or complete the full series:

Dates & Topics

• Sept. 3, 2026: Traumatic Brain Injury and the Risk of Deaths of Despair
• Sept. 15, 2026: ADHD, Executive Function, and Vulnerability to Suicide, Overdose, and Substance Misuse
• Sept. 30, 2026: Chronic Pain, Opioids, and Prevention Opportunities
• Oct. 15, 2026: Sleep, Mental Health, and Resilience

Sessions will take place from 5–6:30 p.m., with optional networking afterward. Dinner is included with each session.

This series draws on local data, real-world examples, and evidence-based prevention strategies to help participants recognize warning signs, strengthen protective factors, and support individuals and communities before a crisis occurs.

This series has been approved for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category1 Credit,™ by the Wisconsin Medical Society. Participants can earn 1.5 CMEs per session, for a total of 6 if they attend all four.

Registration is now open. Connection members receive discounted registration for this series and future trainings.

The 16th Annual Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference, Strategies for Action and Hope, will take place June 15 - 17, 2026, featuring an in-person preconference training in Madison on June 15, followed by a virtual conference on June 16 -17 with keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and a lived experience panel.

The conference will bring together suicide prevention advocates, healthcare professionals, educators, public health leaders, coalition members, people with lived experience, and community partners from across Wisconsin to learn, connect, and advance suicide prevention efforts across the state.

Conference Details

• Preconference Training: June 15, 2026 (in person, Madison)
• Annual Conference: June 16 -17, 2026 (virtual)
• Topics: Youth suicide prevention, crisis intervention, healthcare and behavioral health practices, education, coalition building, peer support, and community-based prevention strategies

This year's conference is centered on Wisconsin's newly released 2025 Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Plan, which outlines data-driven strategies and action steps for reducing suicide and promoting wellbeing across communities. Sessions will explore suicide prevention through a public health lens, emphasizing the important role individuals, organizations, and communities all play in creating hope, strengthening protective factors, and preventing suicide.