2026 PSW Conference: Strategies for Action and Hope
Registration is OEPN!
Dates: In-person Pre-conference Monday, June 15th, Black Business Hub (4th floor), 2352 South Park Street, Madison, WI
Virtual Conference: Tuesday, June 16th-Wednesday, June 17th
The conference theme is Strategies for Action and Hope, building on the newly released 2025 Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Plan which is designed to increase the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts by providing statewide data along with best practices, resources, and
recommended action steps. Approaching suicide as a public health issue means intervening on the individual, interpersonal, community,
organizational, and societal levels to help all Wisconsinites live their best lives and get help when they need it. Everyone can play a role in addressing suicide, and our prevention efforts are stronger when we collaborate across sectors and communities, working together towards shared goals.
Preconference In-Person Training- Monday, June 15 (8:45-4:15pm)
SafeSide CARE Training
We hope you can join us in Madison for the Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Preconference Gathering for a SafeSide Care Suicide Prevention Framework training! SafeSide CARE training provides suicide prevention education for individuals working in a variety of professions including behavioral health, primary healthcare, youth services, and substance use services, bringing together both clinical and lived expertise.
Preconference description and information>>
Keynote, Breakout Sessions, and Lived Experience Panel
The conference features two keynote presentations focused on youth suicide prevention, breakout sessions and a lived experience panel designed to be of interest to coalition members, clinicians, educators, public health professionals, clergy, first responders, and anyone interested in suicide prevention on a local and statewide level.
Session descriptions>>
HOPES Award:
The HOPES Award is presented annually at the PSW Conference to an individual or organization who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to suicide prevention in Wisconsin. The HOPES Award is dedicated to Helping Others Prevent and Educate About Suicide, a group of suicide loss survivors who spearheaded Wisconsin’s suicide prevention efforts for 19 years. The awardee (or group representative) must be able to attend (online) the PSW Conference on June 17, 2026. The individual or one representative from a group receiving the award will receive one complimentary conference registration.
Nomination deadline: April 24, 2026; Email nomination forms to Ruby Balotovsky (ruby@mhawisconsin.org)
Nomination Form>>
Continuing Education Hours (CEH):
We are applying for CEHs with National Association of Social Workers-Wisconsin Chapter and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. We will announce the number of credits available for the preconference and main conference once it is approved.
ASL Interpreters:
ASL Interpreters will be provided for both keynote sessions and the lived experience panel. If you require an ASL interpreter for breakout sessions, please contact Kelsey Van Hoorn (kelsey@mhawisconsin.org).
Session Recordings
Most keynote and breakout sessions will be recorded and posted to the website following the conference for approximately three months (unless requested otherwise by the presenters). If you are registered for the conference, you will receive an email notifying you when the recordings have been posted.
Questions:
If you have any questions or need additional information please email Kelsey Van Hoorn (kelsey@mhawisconsin.org)