Presented by Guest Speakers Dr. Sam Buser and Kimi Buser-Clancy
Friday, December 4, 2020, Noon – 1 p.m., via Zoom
About the Presentation:
This presentation by a father-daughter podcasting team, Dr. Sam Buser and Kimi Buser-Clancy, will cover the connection between suicide and substance use. Leaving The Valley is a podcast that seeks to increase the awareness by the general public about suicide and suicide prevention. In this talk, the presenters will focus on the overlap between substance use, psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety and depression,) and suicide. These are themes regularly addressed on the show.
About the Presenters
Kimi Buser-Clancy is an accomplished actor, writer, producer, and activist with a particular passion for voiceover. She loves telling stories, and her work often centers around helping young girls see a more complete picture of themselves. Kimi was lucky enough to grow up in Alief, Texas, a suburb of Houston, considered one of the most diverse places in the country. Living in a place where so many different people, cultures, religions and identities meet forever changed how she views the world. A long time believer in the need for mental health awareness, Kimi created Leaving The Valley because she believes there is more that can be done to stop suicide, and it begins by making information about suicide prevention more accessible. Kimi writes, directs, produces, and edits the show’s content.
Dr. Sam Buser is the senior staff psychologist for one of the nation’s largest fire departments. The former military officer began practicing psychology in 1972– and though he put aside the uniform, service to his country and other veterans has always been at the forefront of his mind. During his career, Dr. Buser cared for veterans as a VA psychologist, provided immediate care to those involved in mass casualty events and developed suicide prevention programs for First Responders. Service to others is a hallmark of his career and is why Dr. Buser continues to receive awards for his work in mental health care. Dr. Buser’s belief in the ability to prevent suicide through a more open dialogue led him to work with his daughter, Kimi, on Leaving The Valley as a way to broaden his efforts to help others find hope and healing.
