We are excited to announce that the Spring 2026 Conference will be on April 10, 2026!
FREE EVENT! Join us for a day of expert speakers, community engagement, and presentations focused on raising awareness and sharing resources to prevent suicide.
Check in Begins at 8AM
Located at Eastern Illinois University, MLK Jr. Union 3rd Floor
This conference is funded by the Thomas A. Bonine Rainbow of Hope Fund
All individuals who would like to attend, must register no later than April 9th, 2026 at noon. Capacity may be limited. Please contact the Counseling Clinic (217-581-3413) with questions.
Conference Schedule
8-8:30AM Check in and Breakfast
9:30-10AM Introduction and Keynote
Sally Spencer- Thomas, Psy.D., MNM- Workplace Suicide Prevention: We’ve Got Your Back
10:10-11:10 Breakout Session
Marie Adams, PhD- Cultivating Hope and Connection: Building a Suicide Prevention Coalition at the University of Iowa
11:20-12:20PM
Cara Cerullo, LCSW- Game- Changer: VitalCog Peer Navigator Suicide Prevention Pilot Program for Student- Athletes
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
1:30-2:30
Amber Clark, LCSW- Suicide Risk among current and former National Guard and Reserve members.
2:40-3:40
Emily Coffey, BS & Anntoinnette Laryea, BA- “Who Helps the Helper?” Supporting the Mental Health of Helping Professionals
OR
Amanda Harvey, PhD, Emma Noble, MA, & Aimee Janssen- Robinson, Ph.D., CHES- A Culture of Care
3:50-4:30 Honoring Ceremony
Continuing Education
Continuing Education Units (CEU's) will be offered for LPC/LCPC, LSW/LCSW, CHES/MCHES. To ensure you receive CEUs for the sessions you attend, please be sure to sign each sign-in sheet for each session and complete the post test/evaluation for each session. 5.5 CEUs are offered for full attendance of the conference. Following the conference, your CEU certificate will be sent to the email you list on this registration form.
Parking at the conference:
The Bonine Conference is being held on campus during regular ticketing hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, all vehicles parking on campus will be required to display a valid parking permit. Please use the EIU Parking Portal
https://eiuparking.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal to order and print your 1-day conference permit for April 10, 2026. The permit usage is located at the bottom of the permit and is valid for any staff or student lots. Please note that this permit is
not valid in the Visitor's lot or the MLK Meters spaces.
View the
Campus Parking Lot Map to clarify the location and availability of lots dependent on your type of permit. Permits are not assigned to spaces, or by desired buildings but are lot designated. View the Campus Parking Lot Map for additional details.
Coming from Out of Town:
If you are traveling to Charleston for the conference, we are excited to welcome you to our community! Charleston offers a variety of dining, lodging, and local attractions for visitors to enjoy during their stay.
Lunch is on your own during the confernce. Charleston also offers a variety of local dining options. Popular spots include Pagliai's, Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant, Casa Del Mar, Dirtys Bar and Grill, and Jackson Avenue Coffee for coffee. Additionally, confernce attendees can get lunch at our Union University Food Court
Visitors looking to explore more of the local community can also enjoy walking through the beautiful campus of Eastern Illinois University or browsing the shops and restaurants in downtown Charleston. We encourage you to take some time to explore the area, support local businesses, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere that makes Charleston a special place to visit. If you have any questions about travel or accommodations, please feel free to reach out. We are happy to help make your visit as smooth as possible.
Click here for the Charleston Visitors Guide, which has a list of lodging and dining.
Pictured from left to right: Carrie (Bonine) Murphy, Joshua Rivedal, and Tom Bonine. Joshua was the 2024 conference keynote speaker. His story and the knowledge he shared was moving, helpful, and very much appreciated. Carrie and Tom shared their experience, which was also very powerful. Through the support of the EIU Foundation and the efforts of the Bonine family, the Thomas A. Bonine Rainbow of Hope Fund was established to fund this annual suicide prevention conference.
