Behind the Screen: Suicide Awareness in the Age of AI and Social Media (2026)

Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET, Behavioral Health Network, Hartford Hospital, Heublein Hall, Hartford, CT

Virtual registration closes at 6am day of conference.

Please scroll down to review the attendance instructions that correspond with your registration type (i.e. Virtual or in-person).

Virtual Instructions
For virtual attendees the zoom waiting room will open at 8:15am with housekeeping beginning at 8:30am. 


In-person Instructions
Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 8:00am in the ERC- Heublein Hall located at 560 Hudson St. Hartford, CT 06106.

Suicide continues to affect individuals, families, and communities of all backgrounds. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, it is important to understand how screen time, social media, smartphones, and AI can influence mental health and suicide risk. Join us for our 14th Annual World Suicide Prevention Day Conference, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Paul Weigle, Associate Medical Director at Natchaug Hospital. Dr. Weigle will discuss the impact of digital media and emerging technologies on youth mental health, including both risks and opportunities for support. The conference will also feature a panel discussion exploring the intersection of AI, social media, mental health, and suicide prevention.

1. Review the current status of the Hartford HealthCare (HHC) Zero Suicide Initiative and identify opportunities to integrate technology-related suicide prevention strategies into clinical practice.
2. Describe current trends in youth screen media use and their relationship to mental health outcomes and suicide risk.
3. Identify the associations between excessive screen time, social media exposure, and suicidality among children and adolescents.
4. Recognize the potential benefits and risks of social media engagement on youth mental health.
5. Evaluate the impact of emerging technologies, including AI chatbots, on adolescent emotional well-being and suicide risk.
6. Identify clinical signs and risk factors associated with problematic technology and smartphone use.
7. Assess the relationship between problematic screen use, psychiatric comorbidities, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
8. Incorporate technology-use screening and risk assessment into routine clinical evaluations of youth.
9. Develop evidence-based safety plans that address digital environments and technology-related suicide risks.
10. Apply behavioral and family-centered interventions to support healthy technology use and reduce mental health risks.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (3.50 hours), ABIM MOC Part 2 (3.50 hours), ABPMR Accredited CME (3.50 hours), ABPMR Self-Assessment (3.50 hours), ABS CC (3.50 hours), ABS CC SAM (3.50 hours), ANCC Contact Hour(s) (3.50 hours), APA Credit(s) (3.50 hours), ASWB Contact Hour(s) (3.50 hours), CT DPH: Cultural Competence (3.50 hours), IACET (3.50 hours), IPCE Credit(s) (3.50 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (credits designated as AMA PRA Category 1) (3.50 hours)

• Physicians: Hartford HealthCare designates this Live Activity activity for a maximum of 3.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

  • MOC for American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM): Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 3.50 MOC point(s) in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • ABPMR Continuous Certification: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn 3.50 credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABPMR credit.

  • MOC for American Board of Surgery (ABS):  Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

• Psychologists: Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

• Nurses: This activity is designated for a maximum of 3.50 ANCC contact hours.

• Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Hartford HealthCare is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Hartford HealthCare maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 3.50 social & cultural competence continuing education credits. 

• Interprofessional Continuing Education: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 3.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

• Other Learners: All other learners will receive a Certificate of Participation for 3.50 hours of education .  Consult your professional licensing board regarding the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.

 

                 

 

Cancellation Policy

Hartford HealthCare reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Hartford HealthCare is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact [email protected].

Hartford HealthCare Continuing Education adheres to the Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education's criteria, standards, and policies regarding industry support of continuing education, and the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. 

Any individual in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others is required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). 

HHC CE reviews and mitigates all financial relationships prior to commencement of the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Hartford HealthCare adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.  Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests).  All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.