Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Research Summit
Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Register to attend this free event – in-person or virtual.
Reception to follow.
Did you know?
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 24. In this age group, death by suicide is more common than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and lung disease combined.
Research saves kids' lives
Suicide and self-harm are preventable. Researchers, clinicians, and community members each have a distinct, life-saving role to play in supporting positive outcomes.
Seattle Children’s Research Institute will host its second annual Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Research Summit, focusing on suicide and self-harm prevention.
The summit will highlight Seattle Children’s research presenting new discoveries and proven interventions designed to save youth lives. Through a mix of scientific presentations, panel discussions and professional networking, the summit aims to foster the partnerships necessary to move from evidence to action.
Join us as we translate latest findings into life-saving support for youth and families facing self-harm and suicide. We welcome researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, students and community members to the conversation.
Summit Keynote Speaker: Jeff Bridge, PhD
“Suicide Prevention in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting”
Dr. Bridge received his PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. He is currently the director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
He holds the Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair of Innovation in Behavioral Health Research and is a professor of pediatrics, psychiatry, and behavioral health at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Bridge’s work focuses on the epidemiology of suicide and suicidal behaviors among youth, with an emphasis on enhancing quality of care and improving outcomes for young people at risk of suicide.
Agenda
8:30 a.m.
Arrival and Registration
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Kickoff
Christopher Longhurst, MD, Chief Executive Officer
Vittorio Gallo, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
9:30 a.m.
Research Talks: Prevention and Treatment
- Moderator: Tonya Palermo, PhD
- Molly Adrian, PhD
Evaluating Treatment Strategies for Adolescent Suicide Care: Early Implementation Results From a Clinical Trial - Cari McCarty, PhD
Text-Based Teen-to-Teen Helplines - Janis Sethness, MD, MPH
Using Large Language Models to Identify Suicide and Substance Use Overdose Risk in Adolescents: Unlocking Narrative Data for Prevention
10:20 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Prevention and Treatment
What research gaps need to be addressed in order to inform clinical care?
- Molly Adrian, PhD
- Laura Richardson, MD, MPH
- Larry Wissow, MD
- Additional panelists to be confirmed
11:30 a.m.
Lunch and Networking
12:30 p.m.
Keynote Introduction: Vittorio Gallo, PhD
Scientific Keynote: Jeff Bridge, PhD
Director, Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital; Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair of Innovation in Behavioral Health Research; professor of pediatrics, psychiatry, and behavioral health at Ohio State University College of Medicine
Suicide Prevention in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting
Q&A moderated by Molly Adrian, PhD
1:30 p.m.
Break
1:45 p.m.
Research Talks: Supporting Populations With Special Needs
- Moderator: Tonya Palermo, PhD
- Kym Ahrens, MD
Overdose and Substance Prevention Among Youth in the Legal System: Working With Youth And Community Partners to Codesign Effective Solutions - Nicole Kahn, PhD
Gina Sequeira, MD, MS
Suicide Screening in an Adolescent Gender Clinic Population - Alice Ellyson, PhD
Access to Firearms and Risk Elevation for Interpersonal Harm and Self-Harm
2:20 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Broadening Inclusion in Research
How can we ensure everyone can benefit from research?
- Moderator: Sara Jane Webb, PhD
- Kym Ahrens, MD
- Kate Comtois, PhD, MPH
- Beth Dawson-Hahn, MD
- Mendy Minjarez, PhD
3:30 p.m.
Summit Conclusion
Reception and Networking
Venue Information
Seattle Children's Research Institute: B. Wayne Hughes Building, also known as Building Cure
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Contact Us
For questions about the summit, please reach out to [email protected].