Identifying and Assessing Suicidal Behavior

Friday, October 30, 2026 – 10-11 a.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. ET
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Speaker: Robin Gearing, PhD

Session Description: This session examines suicide risk among adolescents and young adults, including current epidemiologic trends, disparities, warning signs, and risk and protective factors. Participants will learn practical approaches to screening for and assessing suicidal ideation, plans, and intent, and will review evidence-based intervention and safety-planning strategies for supporting young people at risk.

About the Speaker: Dr. Robin Gearing is Cele S. and Samuel D. Keeper Endowed Professor, Director of the Center for Mental Health Research and Innovation in Treatment Engagement and Service (MH-RITES), and Director of the MHAPS (Mental Health Advanced Practice) Program at the University of Houston. In addition, Dr. Gearing is a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Texas Health McGovern Medical School, and holds two affiliate faculty positions with international universities. Dr. Gearing is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (The Harris Center).

Dr. Gearing’s interdisciplinary research focuses on improving the health and behavioral health outcomes of individuals with mental illnesses and suicide has been supported with dozens of federal, state, county, international, and foundation grants resulting in over 140 peer-reviewed publications. His research is driven by an interest in improving engagement to empirically supported treatment and developing evidence-based interventions. This interest is the result of more than 25 years of clinical healthcare professional work, resulting in firsthand professional knowledge of the needs and gaps in the field.