Saving lives through suicide prevention education and offering hope and healing to survivors.
The 10th Annual Kevin’s Song Suicide Prevention Education Summit, held January 22–23, 2026 at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, marked a powerful milestone—bringing together more than 300 clinicians, educators, and suicide prevention advocates from across the country in a shared commitment to saving lives.
The Summit also welcomed 40 partner organizations in a vibrant Resource Gallery, offering attendees meaningful tools, resources, and connections to strengthen prevention efforts in their communities.
Across two inspiring days, participants engaged with over 40 locally and nationally recognized experts who shared cutting-edge research, evidence-based practices, and innovative approaches to suicide awareness and prevention. Through dynamic keynote addresses, interactive breakout sessions, and thought-provoking panel discussions, the Summit fostered deep dialogue on emerging trends in suicidology, early intervention strategies, and community-driven prevention initiatives.
True to its mission, the Summit equipped attendees with practical, effective tools and treatments to support individuals and communities at risk, while also offering hope, healing, and connection for suicide loss survivors and those with lived experience. This year’s gathering powerfully embodied the Power of Ten—celebrating a decade of impact and illuminating a legacy of hope with a future filled with possibility.
A defining moment of the Summit was the presentation of the inaugural Thomas Joiner Excellence in Suicide Prevention Legacy Award to its namesake, Thomas Joiner, Ph.D. This honor recognized Dr. Joiner’s extraordinary contributions to the field of suicidology and suicide prevention research. His pioneering work has transformed understanding, guided best practices, and continues to inspire professionals dedicated to preventing suicide and saving lives.
VIEW THOMAS JOINER’S AWARD VIDEO
Kevin’s Song extends its deepest gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who made this landmark Summit such a meaningful success. Together, this passionate community continues its vital mission—advancing hope, education, and healing in the ongoing fight against suicide.
THANK YOU
Our new 2025 Ambassador Video
Additional Information
Please Listen… Students Talk About Mental Health and Suicide Awareness
Rates of suicide continue to rise across the demographic spectrum and certainly among school-age youth. For years, suicide and mental health issues were subjects to be avoided, hidden behind a veil of stigma or fear. Now, hopefully we know differently. But in our conversations, are we really hearing what students have to say about anxiety, depression, mental health or the pain their friends and peers are feeling. What do they want from teachers, parents and the others in their lives?
As part of the national Well Beings Tour, Detroit Public TV is teaming with Kevin’s Song and other local organizations to create a virtual conversation addressing their vital, often life-saving issues. We will listen to a diverse group of students who will talk about their lives, their feelings and their concerns. And we will respond.
Book of The Month
Self-Care for Grief
By Nneka M. Okona
Process your grief, protect your mental health, and find moments of happiness with these 100 self-care activities specifically designed for difficult and distressing situations.
When faced with loss or trauma, the grief can oftentimes feel overwhelming. It can feel difficult, if not impossible, to focus your attention elsewhere. And yet, during hard times is the perfect time to look inwards for support and practice self-care. Tuning in to your personal needs and taking the time to create a thoughtful self-care practice can make all the difference in moving forward in a healthy way.
In Self-Care for Grief, you’ll find 100 self-care activities that are specifically designed to help you protect your mental health, even while grieving.
You’ll find useful activities like:
- Cooking to honor your loss
- Practicing saying “No”
- Naming your emotions
- And many more
No matter what the circumstances are, Self-Care for Grief has the activities you need to de-stress, stay calm, and even find moments of joy in the most challenging of times.
Kevin's Song Newsletters
Our Newsletter is published and emailed monthly to our growing list of sponsors, supporters and friends. If you’d like to be added to our email list, contact gail@kevinssong.org. If we hope to achieve our vision of “a world without suicide” we need you with us.
Resources for Ideas and Inspiration:
“We Need to Talk” is a 30-minute film produced by Kevin’s Song and funded by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Klingler Family Foundation. The film documents effective suicide prevention initiatives being used in schools and communities. Profiled in this video are the Prepare-U curriculum at West Bloomfield High School, The U-Matter teen program developed by Rabbi Yarden Blumstein for Friendship Circle, the University of Michigan’s Peer-To-Peer school outreach program and The SHED, an after-school facility for youth recently opened by Dennis Liegghio, founder of Know Resolve.
View Video“Saving Lives, Preventing Youth Suicide”
Conceived by Kevin’s Song and sponsored by the Children’s Foundation, this 3-part series was produced in partnership with Detroit Public Television. Hosted by prominent Michigan journalist, Cynthia Canty each 60-minute program includes interviews with mental health professionals, educators and community leaders and covers topics ranging from the impact of social media on youth to building resilience to successful intervention strategies.
View ProgramsVideos
“Singing Kevin’s Song” Interviews with a high school counsellor, a former collegiate athlete, a researcher, and the parents of a high school student lost to suicide reveal their personal and painful insights into dealing with the suicide epidemic. Produced by James McGovern. (28 minutes)
“Death is Not the Answer”. Award winning producer-director Keith Famie tackles the tough issues of understanding depression and mental illness. (58 minutes).
“The S Word”. The stigma that so often prevents honest discussion, and often times death, is the subject of this compelling documentary by Lisa Klein. (98 minutes)
Podcasts
“Life After Suicide”- Dr. Jennifer Ashton. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News’ Chief Medical Correspondent, draws from her own tragic experience to explore the aftermath of suicide and sudden loss, and, like her new book “Life After Suicide,” the podcast offers a six-part roadmap for survivors.
