Caregiver Conversations: Managing Crisis and Preventing Suicides
Aired September 9, 2021
Watch Below
What can you do if a family member is having a mental health crisis or feeling suicidal? As a caregiver, with the right education and resources, you can help your family get through distressing situations and prevent suicide.
Presenters
Waheeda Saif, LMHC
Waheeda Saif, LMHC, Program Coordinator with Riverside Trauma Center, has worked with adolescents and adults for over 10 years, providing therapy to survivors of abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Prior to that, she served as a Guardian ad Litem for the Florida court system. She has been with Riverside Trauma Center since 2008, providing consultation after traumatic events, as well as conducting trainings on a range of issues regarding trauma and suicide. She served as a Team Leader in Riverside’s FEMA-funded response to the tornados in central and western Massachusetts. Waheeda is trained specifically in trauma therapy modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College.
Fonda Bryant
Fonda Bryant, a proud mom and passionate mental health and suicide prevention advocate, was recently recognized as Nexstar’s “Remarkable Woman of the Year.” Fonda’s personal experience drives her to help others. After a serious episode of depression, Fonda survived a suicide attempt. With the support of her son and aunt, she got the help she needed and found new meaning in life. Fonda became a certified instructor in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid. Now, Fonda provides trainings to give people the tools they need to save lives.
Donald D’Haene
Donald D’Haene is an author, freelance writer, actor, director, and producer based in London, Ontario. Donald has written about his personal experiences with sexual abuse and depression for The Good Men Project. As a suicide loss survivor, Donald knows that suicide affects everyone involved. Today, Donald shares his story to inspire others to get the help they need and deserve.
Susan Weinstein, JD
Susan Weinstein, JD, Co-Executive Director, has been primarily responsible for programs and finances at Families for Depression Awareness since 2012. Susan was diagnosed with depression in her teens and has drawn from her personal experiences to inform FFDA’s curriculum. She has worked in nonprofits and local government throughout her career, generally in a non-legal capacity. She holds several volunteer positions, including serving on the Executive Committee and as Governance Committee Chair of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention and holding a variety of elected and appointed seats in her town government since 1992. A native of South Florida, Susan is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Boston University School of Law.