West Virginia State University and BridgeValley Community and Technical College will welcome representatives from institutions of higher education from across the state to the 2025 West Virginia Higher Education Suicide Prevention Conference at WVSU on March 27.
The event will draw mental health specialists, administrators, residence life and student support staff and students from public and private institutions, including community and technical colleges.
WVSU in Institute will host the conference at the James C. Wilson University Union building. Registration opens at 8 a.m. with nearly 15 vendor exhibits.
Welcome remarks begin at 8:30 a.m. from Ericke S. Cage, President of WVSU, and Carolyn Canini, representing West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
The keynote speaker is Na Eun “Jiggy†Yoon. She is a mental health motivational speaker and mindset and leadership coach who empowers students, athletes, and professionals to achieve sustainable excellence through high-performance strategies that prioritize mental health.
The conference sessions will primarily address strategies for enhancing student mental health and preventing suicide through comprehensive safety planning. Presentations will explore tailored approaches for high-risk populations, including veterans, supporting students with eating disorders, and students recovering from substance use disorders.
Funding for this event is provided by a grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Programs, and the WV Collegiate Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success Initiative. The event is also sponsored by BetterMynd, Axsome Therapeutics, and First Choice Services.
For more information, please contact Kellie Toledo, Director, Counseling and Wellness services at toledoke@wvstateu.edu.
