Who We Are…

The Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network is a grassroots organization that has been serving Michigan and beyond since 1989.  The founder and Executive Director, Barb Smith, used her personal experience of losing her 20-year old brother, John, to suicide to build the organization, hoping to find purpose for her pain.

Our team of expert trainers deliver evidence-based prevention trainings with the hope of destigmatizing suicide, increasing help-seeking behaviors, and caring for those impacted by suicide.

Our purpose is to help people understand the nature of suicide, how to respond to someone with thoughts of suicide, and how to walk family and loved ones through the aftermath of a suicide.

Meet Our Staff

Barb Smith President barb.smith@srrn.net

Janel Riutta
Finance and Operations Coordinator
janel@srrn.net

Lainey Rigg
Training and Program Coordinator
Executive Assistant
lainey@srrn.net

Jessica Blewett
Director of Development
jessica@srrn.net

Board of Directors

  • Craig began his involvement with the Suicide Resource and Response Network in 2006 after his Dad died by suicide. At first the involvement was for his own healing by attending the support group. As the healing increased he helped organize the board, did public speaking, and occasionally facilitated the support group. He has a background in small business ownership, a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State’s Eli Broad School of Business, and is a commercial/agricultural insurance specialist for the Emil Rummel Agency. Craig and his family live near Frankenmuth. They enjoy being on the water during the summer and being on the snow in the winter.

  • Greg Dorrien is the retired Executive Director of West Midland Family Center (37) years and a well-know community activist. He has stay involved with BSSRRN by lending a hand with fundraising and other necessary business skills. 

  • Lisa Sullivan is a Nurse Anesthetist and a dedicated community advocate with a strong commitment to improving quality of life both mentally and physically. She is passionate about fundraising, volunteering, and creating meaningful impact, whether through her clinical expertise or her genuine care for others. Lisa joined the Board in 2021 and brings a compassionate, service-driven perspective to the organization.

  • Dr. Steele earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Central Michigan University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Ohio State University. He started his career as a teacher and coach and quickly moved up to school Superintendent. In 1985 he founded Performance Learning, Inc; a business dedicated to educating, motivating and empowering athletes, entertainers, leaders and teams across the spectrum of business, industry and education. He has authored 7 books, and is also a professional entertainer (singer and guitarist).

  • Jenean and her family own and operate Bayne’s Apple Valley in Freeland, MI.  Prior to purchasing the Bayne’s in 2017 Jenean spent over 25 years in the foodservice industry as a regional manager for both Campbell Soup and Bimbo Bakeries USA. Her education included a bachelors of science in business from Michigan State University.  She had the opportunity to meet Barb over 15 years ago and fell in love with her family and the passion she shares for our community and the issues of mental health. Jenean’s passion for the tri-city region also extends to the Saginaw Township Board of Education where she has served for 18 years.  She also serves on the Healthsouce Board of Directors, Sportzone Board and is involved with the Go Great Lakes Bay. Both Jenean and her husband were born and raised in Saginaw and still reside with their two dogs Leland and Tugs.  Their 3 children Carlee, Ben and Bryce are their greatest  joy and one of the many reasons Jenean is involved with the organization.  “We need to leave this planet better than we found it and mental health is the key.”

  • Joan Cramer has worked for the Saginaw County Medical Society (SCMS) for 36 years and has served as Executive Director for the past 16. She became involved with the Network following three suicides within the medical community and the death of her son’s best friend—all occurring in 2017. Witnessing the devastating impact of these losses, along with a growing lack of resources for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, reinforced her belief that all physicians should receive suicide awareness training beginning in medical school. In 2018, Joan proposed a resolution through SCMS calling for suicide awareness training for health care professionals. The resolution was researched and written by students at the CMU College of Medicine and was unanimously approved by the Michigan State Medical Society House of Delegates in April 2018. Six weeks later, it was presented at the American Medical Association’s Annual Meeting, where the AMA unanimously adopted a new policy to increase suicide awareness and physician training in medical schools nationwide. As a result, CMU College of Medicine became the first medical school in the nation to require suicide awareness training for medical students. Locally, Joan has hosted multiple safeTALK trainings and educational presentations through the SCMS to equip physicians, residents and medical students with suicide awareness skills. The SCMS and SCMS Foundation generously support the Network’s “Walk for Hope” and “Hope Starts Here.”

  • Julie Hart brings both professional expertise and deeply personal commitment to her role on the Board of Directors. She is a survivor of suicide loss, having lost her nephew Ben as well as several friends and colleagues. This experience drives her passion for reducing the stigma around asking for help and increasing education and awareness about the importance of mental health. Julie has more than 18 years of experience in healthcare, with a background spanning education, policy development, governance, and quality and safety. She works with ATC Healthcare Services, where she works directly with county sheriff’s departments across the State of Michigan to support the delivery of high-quality healthcare in jails and juvenile justice centers. She holds a Master of Science in Administration and is a Six Sigma Greenbelt, bringing a systems-focused, data-driven approach to improving outcomes, strengthening accountability, and advancing compassionate, effective care

  • Jacqueline List-Houser is the Owner and CEO of List Psychological Services (LPS). LPS provides outpatient mental health and substance use services across eight locations throughout the Great Lakes Bay and Thumb Region. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and is a licensed social worker and certified substance use counselor.  Jacqueline is also a certified trainer with LivingWorks, delivering Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) since 2018.  Through this work, she has trained educators, healthcare professionals, emergency responders and community members to recognize and respond effectively to individuals at risk of suicide. In her board service with the Suicide Resource and Response Network, Jacqueline contributes clinical expertise, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to community-based prevention efforts.  She is passionate about advancing collaborative solutions that strengthen mental health awareness, community and professional skill building, and community resilience.  Her dedication reflects a strong belief that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility built through education, partnership, and sustained community support.

  • Dr. Abishek Bala MD MPH is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Central Michigan University (CMU). He is the Clerkship Director for Psychiatry at CMU and Associate PD of the CAP Fellowship.  He also contributes to the field as a Board of Director of the Saginaw County Medical Society, Executive member of the Michigan Regional Organization of Child Adol. Psychiatry, co-chair of the Early Career Psychiatrists Committee, and member of the Global Mental Health & International Relations Committee at the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Grateful for the unwavering support of his family and the guidance of his mentors, Dr. Bala is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for infants, children, and adolescents through culturally sensitive, community-based health interventions.

  • Win Swieczkowski is a 6th generation funeral director with his family’s business, W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors in Saginaw. In this role, he is in direct contact with families impacted by suicide and offers professional guidance and support to grieving families. Win is a 1993 graduate of Hemlock High School. After high school, he attended Wayne State University, School of Mortuary Science. He has worked as a funeral director in many different roles since 2001. In addition to serving on our board of directors Win is the President of the Kiwanis Club of Saginaw, helping young children in the Saginaw Community. Win is married and lives in Kalamazoo with his wife Carrie and their dogs Lucky and Francesca. He loves the outdoors and enjoys fly fishing and playing golf.

How We Can Help

Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network offers prevention education in any setting.  Trainers can be brought into your business, school, recreation, church, or home to provide awareness or evidence based suicide prevention trainings.  Additionally, aftercare services are available in the form of a support group, Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors team and Aftercare training for both professionals who care for the bereaved and those who have been impacted by suicide.  

Testimonials…

“The day I lost my son VJ, life as I knew it changed forever. No hope, peace nor strength. The Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network and the Walk for Hope has given me the strength to live, peace to survive and hope for the future.”

Heidi

“After many years of losing my father it was easier to sleep than to find a way to live without him… Barb Smith simply sat and talked about my dad’s life in a way I hadn’t been able to in years. She helped me find a way out of my dark hole… Barb gave me permission to live in his honor and to focus on who he was in his life and not let his death define me or him.”

Beth

“Last year’s Walk for Hope was so inspiring for me. To be able to speak openly about mental illness and see people find connection and hope in each other–that was a beautiful thing to watch. There was a lot of love being shared that day.”

Will Heininger
Former U of M Football player/National Speaker

“Our community is greatly enriched to have Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network here. As funeral directors, we have seen survivors make it through the first terrible days thanks to the caring and wise council of Barb Smith and the team. Beyond the immediate days following suicide, The Suicide Resource and Response Network continues to help family survivors cope with their loss. The Network has additionally been a great resource to all of us in helping us serve families of suicide loss.”

Mary Lou Case
Case Funeral Home