On Wednesday, September 10 — World Suicide Prevention Day — several members of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences participated in the 2025 Community Suicide Prevention Symposium. Hosted by the University of Kansas Medical Center, the annual symposium aims to open up conversations about mental health and suicide. 

“Presenting at the symposium served as a vital reminder that suicide prevention is not just a clinical concern, but also a community responsibility,” said Kiki Oyetungi, M.D., a second-year fellow in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program. “Open conversations about mental health help us challenge stigma, build protective networks and create safer spaces for at-risk youth and their families.” 

Participating faculty, fellows and colleagues include:  

• Angela Mayorga, M.D., and Albert Poje, Ph.D., alongside health system colleague Lauren Lucht, M.A., and Chaplain Jesse Myers, presented the panel discussion, “Seize the Awkward: Having Brave Conversations about Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.” 

• Gregory Nawalanic, Psy.D., presented "How to Be Human in a Digital World." 

• Kiki Oyetungi, M.D., alongside Amanda Stasi, MSW, presented “Many Hands, One Hope: Multidimensional Views on Pediatric Suicide Prevention.” 

World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual day of awareness meant to initiate vital conversations about mental health and suicide amongst global communities. Explore additional information and resources related to suicide prevention at KU Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System.