Suicide prevention and supporting those who have lost someone to suicide will be the topics of discussion at a daylong conference Nov. 19.

In addition, there will be a 1.8-mile survivors walk around the interior of Kapiolani Park and a reception at the Elks Lodge that begins at 5 p.m. The walk is intended to raise awareness and money for Prevent Suicide Hawaii, a nonprofit group whose goal is to reduce suicides and attempted suicides.

The conference, the third annual Survivors of Suicide, will be held at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Professional health and social services workers, educators and people affected by suicide are urged to attend.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in Hawaii, said Eric Tash, manager of the state Department of Health injury prevention program.

"It's really a major health problem in Hawaii," Tash said. "Every three days someone dies by suicide in Hawaii."

Dr. Daniel Reidenberg, executive director of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), will be the keynote speaker at the conference. He will talk about the grief process and offer tips to health care providers on how to help family, friends and colleagues who have lost someone to suicide. In addition, retired judge Thomas Kaulukukui Jr. will talk about the role of culture and ohana in dealing with suicide.

Following the conference, on Nov. 20, Reidenberg will give a two-hour workshop on suicide prevention and the media at The Queen's Medical Center conference center.

For more information, go to www.hawaii.gov/health or call 733-9320. Registration deadline is Nov. 10. The cost is $40 plus $25 for the walk/reception.