Summit Presenters
Opening Keynote
The Impact We Don’t Measure: Moral Distress, Youth Suicide & Generational Healing
9 a.m.
In her opening keynote, Sheng Lee Yang explores the hidden toll of moral distress, burnout and unspoken grief on helping professionals and communities. Attendees will gain practical insights into building stronger, relationship-centered prevention efforts that foster healing, sustain caregivers and create lasting generational change.
Sheng Lee Yang, LCSW
President and Executive Director of Us 2 Behavioral Health CareSheng Lee Yang, LCSW, President and Executive Director of Us 2 Behavioral Health Care, brings decades of experience across clinical practice, leadership, higher education and community-based mental health. Guided by a commitment to social justice and cultural humility, she challenges audiences to rethink how we support both youth and those who care for them.
Breakout Sessions
Session 1
10:30 a.m.
Session 1 features three different sessions focusing on different aspects for mental health.
1Hope Squad
Hope Squad is a "peer-to-peer, school-based suicide prevention and mental health awareness program." The mission at Oconto High School is to foster a sense of community within school, provide empathy to all classmates and reduce the stigma around talking about mental health. Students are nominated by their peers at the start of the year; they then meet regularly. The squad is trained to observe peers and notify an adult if a student is showing signs of mental distress; students are not to act as counselors.
Raina Vandermoss & Members of the Hope Squad
2Coping Critters: Teaching Emotional Regulation Through Everyday Coping Skills
Healthy coping skills are protective factors that support mental wellness throughout life, yet many people have never been taught what healthy coping actually looks like. The Center for Suicide Awareness's Coping Critters program transforms evidence-informed coping strategies into engaging, memorable learning tools. Participants will explore coping strategies including breathing techniques, grounding, movement, mindfulness, gratitude, positive self-talk, creativity, connection, humor and more while learning how these tools can be adapted for children, teens, adults, families, schools, healthcare settings, workplaces, first responders and community organizations.
Barb Bigalke
Founder & Executive DirectorBarb Bigalke is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Suicide Awareness, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health education, and building resilient communities.
Since founding the organization in 2010, Barb has led the development of innovative programs that make mental wellness practical, accessible, and engaging for people of all ages. Known for transforming complex mental health concepts into approachable, actionable tools, Barb is passionate about teaching coping skills that strengthen resilience before a crisis occurs. Through programs like Coping Critters, HOPELINE and resilience training, she continues to empower individuals, families and professionals with the knowledge and resources to foster emotional well-being.
3What Do You Mean My Family Is Not Normal?
This presentation is an invitation into the quiet, sacred space of a family's heart following the unimaginable loss of a son to suicide. By blending raw, lived experience with professional insight, this narrative moves beyond the initial tragedy to focus on the intricate and often messy process of "rebuilding." You'll explore the profound impact of loss on the entire family unit, and how we began weaving the pieces of our lives back together, not to return to who we were, but to honor the life we lost. Ultimately, this journey serves as both a tender tribute and a roadmap of hope.
Sue Mitchell Metz
Mental Health AdvocateSue Mitchell Metz is a passionate advocate for mental health, suicide awareness and grief support, dedicated to eliminating stigma surrounding these issues. She supports individuals navigating grief, coping with suicidal ideation, experiencing crisis or mourning a loved one lost to suicide.
With a background as a registered nurse and EMT, Sue holds a degree in Organizational Leadership and Thanatology. She serves as the Executive Coordinator for NAMI Fond du Lac County and as the Care for Caregivers Program Coordinator at SSM Health. In these roles, she facilitates support groups and provides education to diverse audiences, including schools, hospitals, churches, law enforcement agencies, and legal professionals. Additionally, she shares her expertise and personal journey through public speaking engagements, as well as radio and television interviews. Sue is married to Steve and is a devoted mother to her three children Ryan, Mariah and Brydan, as well as a loving grandmother to Cyanne, who fills her time outside of work and camping. As a survivor of suicide loss, Sue honors the memory of her son, Ryan, through her advocacy and commitment to helping others.
Session 2
1 p.m.
Session 2 features three different sessions focusing on different aspects for mental health.
1Bradyn's Story
In this session, participants will have the opportunity to speak with students about online dangers, including stories that have happened in our home state. There will be education on current laws regarding sextortion and online crimes, so you can be a part of the solution before more lives are lost.
Brittney Bird
Hairstylist & AdvocateBrittney Bird is a hairstylist in Wausau. She lives with her husband, Luke, and daughter, Aurora. They were once a family of four, but after Bradyn, her 15 year old son, was part of an online sextortion scam on March 4, 2025, they became a family of three.
Brittney and her husband have since been on a crusade to educate their community and beyond on the dangers of sextortion. In the past year since losing their son to this online crime, they have successfully passed Bradyn's Law, making sextortion a standalone crime in our state. With the help of local representatives and media outlets, they have been able to push forward additional laws regarding funding for local DOJ and ICAC agents as well. Brittney lost her child in the most unfathomable way, and she will do everything in her power to ensure no other family has to live through this pain.
2More Than Numbers: Wisconsin Youth Voices on Mental Health
What do young people in Brown County have to say about their mental health? This presentation highlights findings from youth focus groups conducted with participants ages 13-21, providing a firsthand look at their experiences, challenges and perspectives. The presentation will also examine how these perspectives align with current Wisconsin youth mental health data. You'll explore opportunities to strengthen prevention efforts, improve access to mental health resources and better support young people through youth-informed strategies and community collaboration. This session emphasizes the importance of listening to youth voices to inform meaningful action and create more responsive systems of care.
Ashton Stewart, DrPH(c), MPH, CHES
Public Health ProfessionalAshton is a public health professional dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children, youth and communities through prevention, education and collaboration. As a Public Health Strategist with Brown County Public Health, Ashton leads initiatives focused on youth mental health. She also serves as the lead for Brown County's Suicide Fatality Review Team, working collaboratively with community partners to strengthen local prevention efforts.
Dr. Althea Noukki
Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Brown CountyDr. Althea Noukki has been the Clinical Director of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Brown County since 2012, providing leadership in the development and delivery of services to support children, youth and their families across a continuum of care. Her team provides psychotherapy, substance abuse counseling, psychological assessments, crisis linkage and follow-up, clinical consultation, and Comprehensive Community Services.
3The Radical Intersection of Joy and Trauma
At the radical intersection of joy and trauma, healing takes new form. This session invites participants to explore joy as a radical act of resistance, a protective force, and a pathway through pain. Together, we’ll challenge the notion that joy and trauma are opposites and discover how both can coexist to deepen care and reclaim wholeness.
Intended for: Mental Health Professionals
McKenna Garvey, LCSW, MSW, PMH‑C
Special Education TeacherWelcome to a space for reflection, connection, and healing. McKenna's work is rooted in a trauma-informed lens and guided by compassion, humor, and science-backed tools.
McKenna draws from cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies, Brainspotting, and neuroscience-based "bottom-up" approaches to help clients build regulation and resiliency within the nervous system. She specializes in supporting individuals navigating chronic suicidality, self-harm, complex PTSD, addiction and personality disorders, particularly Borderline and Narcissistic traits. In addition to therapy, she provides clinical supervision, direct our agency’s DBT program and lead trauma-informed trainings across Wisconsin.
Closing Keynote
Hope Is a Strategy: Reimagining Mental Health in Every Community
2:30 p.m.
In her closing keynote, Prenicia Clifton challenges attendees to see hope not as a feeling, but as a powerful tool for change. Through stories, strategies and examples from communities across Wisconsin, she explores how belonging, purpose and connection can strengthen mental wellness and save lives. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to help build cultures of hope where every person feels seen, valued and supported.
Intended for: All
Prenicia Clifton
Founder & Executive Director of Seein' is Believin'Prenicia Clifton is an award-winning speaker, nationally recognized youth protection leader, mental wellness innovator, and Founder & Executive Director of Seein' is Believin'. With more than two decades of experience in youth protection, suicide prevention, education, and community wellness, she is known for helping communities move beyond crisis response and toward prevention, connection, and hope.
Register for the Summit
Our Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Summit takes place on Wednesday, February 3, 2027 at The Weidner. Join us to increase understanding of suicide, its prevalence and the risk factors for specific populations.
Need Guidance?
We’re here to help. If you have questions about the conference, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Program Specialists.