Care in Action: a Virtual 988 Conference
Please join me as I speak on a panel about spirituality at the upcoming annual, virtual 988 conference:
Hosted by: Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
Fri, Sep 19, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM PDT
Register here
Tickets: $35.00 - $100.00, but free for residents of Alameda County and all mental health providers.
Panel: ”Incorporating Spirituality into the Conversation About Suicide,” 1 - 2 PM PDT
Panel Speakers: Narges Zohoury Dillon, LMFT (she/her), Bishop Kelly Woods (he/him), Shereen Khan-Amrikani, LMFT (she/her), Melvin Escobar, LCSW (he/him/él), and Rabbi Rory Katz (she/her)
The panel will explore the profound role of religious and spiritual beliefs in providing a framework for meaning, purpose, and resilience in the face of suffering and adversity. We will discuss how individuals from diverse backgrounds draw upon their faith to navigate life's challenges. The conversation will also address the practical considerations for professionals, such as helpers and counselors, who may be hesitant to engage with a client's spiritual or religious identity.
At the end of the session, attendees will be able:
-To articulate the protective and meaning-making functions of religious and spiritual beliefs.
-To equip helpers and professionals with practical strategies for integrating spirituality and religion into their practice.
-To broaden the conversation about spirituality beyond traditional religious frameworks.
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Care is an action verb.
The 988 conference convenes at a moment of profound national challenge and uncertainty. Amid a rising trend of punitive policies that seek to criminalize poverty and distress, how can we build and sustain crisis care ecosystems that truly support our communities?
The sessions are designed to equip participants with some tools, knowledge, and inspiration to defend community-based crisis response in Alameda County and beyond. Join us for a day dedicated to exploring and championing community-led, non-carceral approaches to crisis response and mental health. This event is more than a conference; it's a moment to build a future where safety is rooted in connection, not criminalization.
Our sessions and speakers will focus on life-affirming institutions and practices that build well-being and connection. We will dive into topics that are often overlooked, such as how community violence prevention can serve as suicide prevention, how to navigate climate distress, and the importance of incorporating spirituality into conversations about suicide.
You will hear directly from the people who answer calls, chats, and texts on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, gaining insight into their training and what keeps them connected to this vital work. You’ll also learn from a diverse group of experts, including a licensed clinical social worker with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a senior program coordinator for suicide prevention in Marin County, and a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in trauma and reproductive health. Please see session and speaker details below.
This event is for helpers in any role committed to creating a more compassionate Alameda County. Whether you are a professional, a student, or simply someone who believes in the power of community, you will leave with practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose.
We invite you to join us in public discourse around safety and crisis, as we amplify the voices and solutions that are already creating a better future. By centering lived experience and prioritizing choice, consent, and collective care, we can build a world where everyone has access to the support they need, on their own terms. Register today and be a part of these transformative conversations.