October 21, 2025
Media Advisory:
New York State Suicide Prevention Conference Highlights the Importance of Mental Health Supports for Uniformed Personnel
WHEN:
Wednesday, Oct. 22
TIME:
12 p.m.
WHERE:
Ferris Grand Ballroom, Hilton Garden Inn, 235 Hoosick St., Troy, NY 12180
WHO:
Dr. Jay Carruthers, director of OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York; Stephanie Lao, SPCNY’s director of Workplace Suicide Prevention; Tom Cocoran, Watervliet firefighter and coordinator of the department’s Brave Minds Firefighter Wellness program; and others.
WHAT:
The 2025 New York State Suicide Prevention Conference will bring together state and national subject matter experts to discuss mental health and prevention efforts among uniformed personnel –law enforcement, EMS workers, firefighters, emergency communications center operators, and military veterans.
BACKGROUND:
Studies have shown the cumulative stress and trauma are common in uniformed personnel professions and have placed these individuals at greater risk of suicide. Likewise, New York veterans die by suicide at a rate nearly two times higher than civilians. The conference will bring together national speakers and subject matter experts to provide evidence-based training, workshops, and best practice models that apply universally to uniformed personnel. The conference will also highlight New York State’s CARES UP initiative, which is aimed at expanding resiliency and suicide prevention efforts among uniformed personnel. So far, OMH has provided funding to 36 first responder organizations through CARES UP and eight veteran serving organizations via a similar program called Onward Ops.
Contact:
Justin Mason
OMH Director of Communications
Cell: (518) 949-3537
Justin.Mason@omh.ny.gov
New York State Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229
Website | 1-800-597-8481