Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan & Terryberry Partner Webinar – A Suicide Attempt Survivor’s Story – Using the be nice. action plan

Webinar

03/05 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

The session explores the emotional, psychological, and social challenges faced during moments of crisis and how proactive mental health strategies can aid in healing and resilience. Drawing on lived experience, the speakers will provide an in-depth look at how the be nice. action plan – a simple plan designed to guide conversations around mental health and support individuals in crisis – played a pivotal role in the recoveries of survivors of suicide.

Attendees will gain practical insights on how to use the be nice. action plan to identify early signs of distress, offer meaningful support, and create a positive, non-judgmental environment for people who may be struggling. This webinar is ideal for anyone looking to better understand and support individuals who may be at risk for suicide.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the be nice. action plan – Gain a clear understanding of the be nice. action plan, and how it can be used to support individuals in emotional distress or at risk of suicide.
• Recognize the Warning Signs of Crisis – Learn to identify early warning signs of suicidal thoughts and emotional distress in others, including subtle behavioral and verbal cues.
• Develop Empathy and Non-Judgmental Support Strategies – Learn how to foster a safe, non-judgmental environment for individuals to open up about their struggles and receive the help they need.
• Build Confidence in Mental Health Interventions – Increase confidence in taking meaningful action to support individuals in crisis, from recognizing the need for intervention to offering ongoing care.

Presenters

Christy Buck
Executive Director
Founder of be nice.

With more than 36 years of experience in the mental health field, Christy’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education led her to develop two mental health and suicide prevention programs – be nice. and be nice. extension (formerly Live Laugh Love).

Since 2006, she and her staff have passionately presented to over 300,000 people in West Michigan on mental health awareness, bullying, and suicide prevention. She has been the keynote speaker at many events and regularly delivers speaking engagements to community and business groups on mental health awareness.

Christy’s determination to make mental health a part of the conversation has led to her involvement with numerous community organizations and coalitions along with becoming a certified instructor for QPR and Mental Health First Aid, for which she has been recognized as one of the Top 100 instructors in the country.

Christy has been awarded wonderful honors for her work including the American Red Cross Hometown Hero Award, 50 Most Influential Women In West Michigan, Daughters of the American Revolution Women In History Award, and most recently awarded the Legacy of Brilliance Award.

Of all of her accomplishments, her family brings her the most joy. She earned the title of yiayia two years ago and now has three beautiful grandchildren, and is the proud mom of Demetrios, Katerina, and Isabella with her hubby Tim.

Christy protects her mental health by dominating in trivia every Wednesday night with her friends and spending time at her second home in Manistee, Michigan. She is a proud graduate of Michigan State University (Go Green!) and is a devoted member of the Greek Orthodox Church. email: christybuck@benice.org

Cat Lanting
Program Director
be nice.

Catherine (Cat) started at the Foundation as an AmeriCorps member in 2011. With her passion for the be nice. action plan, and belief that four simple steps can change someone’s hour, their day, and/or their life, she has stepped into the role of Program Director.

Seeing its potential and setting goals for be nice. programming to be accessible to any individual is her priority, but instructing all of the MHF’s offered programs (including the be nice. action plan to kindergartners through senior citizens, be nice. extension, Mental Health First Aid, and QPR) is still where she finds much joy.

Cat is a native Grand Rapidian who graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies – Health Studies and is so excited to be educating young people and the community about a topic that she needed information about in her own youth.

She currently resides on the lakeshore, and in her free time, Cat skis, feeds chickens, races sailboats, and hikes the North Country Trail with her family and 3 canines to protect her mental health. email: catlanting@benice.org

Qualifies for HRCI and SHRM recertification credits.

 

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