While not all suicides are preventable, many are. Sometimes the smallest action, the simplest word from a single individual can be the difference between life and death.

This year's theme for the Mental Health America of Lancaster County's (MHALC) annual suicide prevention conference is the power of one.

"We want to believe all suicides are preventable," said Kim McDevitt, MHALC's executive director. "It's such a complex issue. When you have to tell a parent that their child's suicide was preventable, it's really hard. There's a lot of guilt and shame around it, and we don't want to perpetuate it."

"Some people are so desperate just to have someone say something to them," said Elaine Gilbert, MHALC's marketing and fundraising coordinator. "When you're talking about the power of one, that's what we're referring to."

That power of one will be a point of exploration when MHALC conducts its ninth annual suicide prevention conference from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, at DoubleTree Resort, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster. Interested individuals can register at https://mhalancaster.org/conference before Tuesday, Sept. 9.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

"Our goal is to highlight the importance of suicide prevention and the power we have," said Gilbert. "We want people to be empowered and know that there are steps you can take to change a negative trajectory. Every individual has the power to make a difference in everyone's life. It's about getting people to understand that they have the power to make people feel connected and not alone, no matter what struggles they may be facing."

The conference will begin at 7:30 a.m. with check-ins and breakfast. The event will include four hourlong break-out sessions addressing specific issues related to suicide, two structured breaks, lunch, a panel discussion and closing remarks.

"It's bringing the community together for learning, for networking, for sharing and for caring," said McDevitt. "This is really hard work. That day, there's a lot of hope. It's not doom and gloom. It's people coming up with solutions. There's a lot of conversation."

Jennifer Storm, a nationally recognized victims' rights expert and the author of the book "Blackout Girl," will serve as the suicide prevention conference's keynote speaker. The breakout sessions will be instructed by 16 mental health experts.

"When I look at what this conference is, I think it's really bringing providers together for one common cause, for one very difficult mission," said McDevitt. "When I'm there, I feel like I'm elevated by energy and compassion of care. This is one particular mission, and it's directed toward saving lives. You're working with amazing folks who are not only like-minded but also compassionate. These folks aren't coming because they're sent there; they're coming because they want to be there."

Nearly 250 individuals are expected to attend the conference, including mental health professionals, case managers, education professionals, representatives from county agencies and people who have been directly or indirectly affected by suicide. Attendees can earn credit toward mandated hours, suicide prevention continuing education and Act 48 requirements.

"It's impossible to quantify how many lives have been saved (over the course of the convention's existence)," said Gilbert, a resident of Lancaster city. "We'll never know how many people have been impacted. We like to think of it as, 'How many people don't we know who have been saved?'"

According to the Lancaster County Coroner's Office, five times more local residents died of suicide last year than by homicide. In 2024, more Lancaster County residents died from suicide - 65 - than from motor vehicle accidents - 53.

Currently, Lancaster County is on pace to surpass last year's total number of suicides.

"People who die by suicide are people who are constantly struggling with their mental health. They've had suicidal ideations, they've thought about it," said McDevitt, a resident of Manheim Township. "Mental illness is like physical illness. If you understand mental illness, those people did not take their own lives. We want to help people recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide."