The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences was a key partner in The University of Kansas Health System’s 2026 Suicide Prevention Symposium, held on Wednesday, Oct. 14 in Kansas City, Kansas. 

The symposium brought together healthcare professionals, advocates and members of the community for a series of presentations from experts from KU and other regional partners, emphasizing the importance of community building in suicide prevention. 

“Community is not just who’s present, but who was here before,” said Gregory Nawalanic, Psy.D., clinical assistant professor, during his presentation. Dr. Nawalanic opened the symposium with his presentation, “If It Takes A Village...What Does It Mean to Be a Villager?” 

Tyler Kjorvestad, M.D., associate professor, also presented “Hope for Innovation: Emerging Treatments for Depression and the Future of Mental Health Care.” 

See photos from this year’s symposium, and follow the department on LinkedIn for future updates. 

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, awareness and prevention resources are available.