I’m happy to announce that we will be having a Virginia ASIST Trainers Conference call January 18th from 3pm until 4pm! Conference calls are a great way for us to extend the networking and sharing that takes place at the Annual Regional ASIST trainers conference throughout the year. We are hoping to be able to have these calls once a quarter.
The call on January 18th will focus on the following items:
1. Updates from the State (VDH)
2. Regional Updates (A chance to tell other ASIST trainers what’s been going on in your area)
3. Process for wrapping up day two
4. Value of holding training team meetings
5. Follow-up from October Regional Trainers Conference (“The Clouds”)
6. Wrap up and next call scheduled
Call details
January 18th, 2012 (Wednesday)
3pm-4pm
Call in number: 866-842-5779
Passcode:8048647736
If you plan to join us for the conference call (we hope you do!), please just send an email back letting me know. That way we’ll have an idea of who all will be on the call.
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Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
National Suicide Survivors Day
From Christina Benton, Suicide Prevention Manger, Virginia Department of Health
On November 19, 2011, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will sponsor an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, and information. Simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Each conference site is organized locally, but they’re all connected in spirit as participants across the globe watch a special 90-minute AFSP broadcast together. In the U.S., conference sites will show the broadcast together from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
In Virginia, there are four local conference sites taking part in this event. These events are taking place in Fishersville, Richmond, Salem, and Woodbridge. For information about each of the four events please see the contact information included at the bottom of this email.
For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast will also be available live on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time, with a live online chat immediately following the program. It will then be saved on the website so that survivors can watch it again throughout the year at anytime.
To register to watch from your home computer or to learn more about the event, please use the following link, http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FEE7D778-CF08-CB44-DA1285B6BBCF366E
Information on Local Virginia Conference Sites (all will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011)
FISHERSVILLE
Augusta Health Community Care Building, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939
Conference Starts: 12:30 p.m. EST
Contact: Nancy Koplin, nkoplin@augustahealth.com, 540-332-4012
RICHMOND
Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Ashlee Witt, richmond.afsp@gmail.com, 804-894-7158
SALEM
Education Center Auditorium/Lewis-Gale Medical Center, 1900 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153 Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Website: www.mharv.com
Contact: Diane Kelly (MHA of Roanoke Valley), mharv@infionline.net, 540-344-0931
WOODBRIDGE
Sentara (Potomac) Hospital 2300 Optiz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Victoria Graham, vickyilynngraham@hotmail.com, 703-221-1144
There are also two local conferences taking place in the Washington DC Metro Area. Their information is:
Alexandria
Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town, 1456 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.afsp.org/ncac
Contact: Dennis Tackett, isos.afspncac@gmail.com, 703-644-2112
Washington DC
Howard University, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.zphibalpha.org
Contact: Zikia Jones-Martin, 678-437-7727, zikiajones@yahoo.com
On November 19, 2011, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will sponsor an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, and information. Simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Each conference site is organized locally, but they’re all connected in spirit as participants across the globe watch a special 90-minute AFSP broadcast together. In the U.S., conference sites will show the broadcast together from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
In Virginia, there are four local conference sites taking part in this event. These events are taking place in Fishersville, Richmond, Salem, and Woodbridge. For information about each of the four events please see the contact information included at the bottom of this email.
For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast will also be available live on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time, with a live online chat immediately following the program. It will then be saved on the website so that survivors can watch it again throughout the year at anytime.
To register to watch from your home computer or to learn more about the event, please use the following link, http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FEE7D778-CF08-CB44-DA1285B6BBCF366E
Information on Local Virginia Conference Sites (all will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011)
FISHERSVILLE
Augusta Health Community Care Building, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939
Conference Starts: 12:30 p.m. EST
Contact: Nancy Koplin, nkoplin@augustahealth.com, 540-332-4012
RICHMOND
Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Ashlee Witt, richmond.afsp@gmail.com, 804-894-7158
SALEM
Education Center Auditorium/Lewis-Gale Medical Center, 1900 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153 Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Website: www.mharv.com
Contact: Diane Kelly (MHA of Roanoke Valley), mharv@infionline.net, 540-344-0931
WOODBRIDGE
Sentara (Potomac) Hospital 2300 Optiz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Victoria Graham, vickyilynngraham@hotmail.com, 703-221-1144
There are also two local conferences taking place in the Washington DC Metro Area. Their information is:
Alexandria
Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town, 1456 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.afsp.org/ncac
Contact: Dennis Tackett, isos.afspncac@gmail.com, 703-644-2112
Washington DC
Howard University, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.zphibalpha.org
Contact: Zikia Jones-Martin, 678-437-7727, zikiajones@yahoo.com
Monday, October 3, 2011
Suicide Prevention Training - ASIST
Staunton City Schools, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health, is hosting an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program in Staunton, VA October 20-21, 2011.
ASIST is the most widely used intervention skills training in the US. It is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk for suicide, intervene to prevent immediate harm and link persons at risk to the next level of care.
ASIST is often used by people in a variety of “front line” positions. It is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). It is suitable for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, administrators, nurses, case workers, police/correctional/juvenile justice staff, soldiers, organizations working with military/veterans, social service staff, foster care staff, clergy, advocates for elderly and all 'natural helpers' who work in the field of human service (regardless of the population served).
Because of the support of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, this training will be offered at no cost to participants; the training is typically valued at $250. All training materials will be provided; meals will be "on your own".
Because of the demand for seats, please register only if you are able to attend the full two days, and are not 'on-call' for other duties during that time.
All participants will receive a certificate documenting 14 hours of instruction. Continuing Education credits are available for licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and law enforcement upon request. Participants who miss any part of the training will not receive CEUs or a certificate.
Training Details
Location:
Memorial Baptist Church
224 Taylor St.
Staunton, Va
Registration:
October 20th-21st
8:00am – 4:00pm (both days)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StauntonASIST
Please contact Christina Benton for any questions at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
ASIST is the most widely used intervention skills training in the US. It is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk for suicide, intervene to prevent immediate harm and link persons at risk to the next level of care.
ASIST is often used by people in a variety of “front line” positions. It is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). It is suitable for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, administrators, nurses, case workers, police/correctional/juvenile justice staff, soldiers, organizations working with military/veterans, social service staff, foster care staff, clergy, advocates for elderly and all 'natural helpers' who work in the field of human service (regardless of the population served).
Because of the support of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, this training will be offered at no cost to participants; the training is typically valued at $250. All training materials will be provided; meals will be "on your own".
Because of the demand for seats, please register only if you are able to attend the full two days, and are not 'on-call' for other duties during that time.
All participants will receive a certificate documenting 14 hours of instruction. Continuing Education credits are available for licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and law enforcement upon request. Participants who miss any part of the training will not receive CEUs or a certificate.
Training Details
Location:
Memorial Baptist Church
224 Taylor St.
Staunton, Va
Registration:
October 20th-21st
8:00am – 4:00pm (both days)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StauntonASIST
Please contact Christina Benton for any questions at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Limited Seats Open for Public Speaking Training for Survivors of Suicide Loss
There are a few seats open due to cancellations. Act NOW!
The Virginia Department of Health will be offering a series of two day trainings for survivors of suicide loss who are interested in learning how to tell their story safely to friends, various audiences, and the media. Suicide survivors (those who have lost a loved one to suicide) play an important role in increasing awareness about suicide. By speaking about their personal loss and telling the story about their loved one’s life and death, survivors can promote healing and understanding, which in turn supports and encourages suicide prevention efforts. Suicide is a very complex issue and a great deal of research has been done about how to talk about suicide in a safe manner and in a way that will not increase the risk for those who may be vulnerable. This two-day training assists speakers in honing a message that tells their story in a safe and effective manner.
Survivors who complete the training are certainly not required to tell their story publicly after the training, but most do go on to speak at local suicide prevention conferences and local venues such as rotary, their church, legislative committees, etc. The training was developed by NAMI NH and is part of their Connect Suicide Prevention Project, which is listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practice Registry.
It is suggested that survivors be at least two years from their loss before attending; however, some survivors are ready earlier and should feel free to talk with us if you would like to attend.
The training is conducted over the course of two days and you will be asked to commit to both training days. The first day of the training will focus on the basics of public speaking, issues to be aware of around speaking about suicide, safe messaging, honing your message for particular audiences/media, and composing your personal story. The second day of the training will give you an opportunity to share your presentation, evaluate yourself, get feedback from the group, discuss how to be responsive to your audience, and review possible responses to difficult questions. There will be a homework assignment for the night of day one.
The training is free of charge to participants and is made possible through funding from SAMHSA.
Each training is limited to 8 participants. Information on training dates, location and registration can be found below:
September 21-22, 2011 - Harrisonburg, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
Blue Ridge Hall, James Madison University
601 University Blvd
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingHarrisonburg
For questions, please contact Christina Benton at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736
The Virginia Department of Health will be offering a series of two day trainings for survivors of suicide loss who are interested in learning how to tell their story safely to friends, various audiences, and the media. Suicide survivors (those who have lost a loved one to suicide) play an important role in increasing awareness about suicide. By speaking about their personal loss and telling the story about their loved one’s life and death, survivors can promote healing and understanding, which in turn supports and encourages suicide prevention efforts. Suicide is a very complex issue and a great deal of research has been done about how to talk about suicide in a safe manner and in a way that will not increase the risk for those who may be vulnerable. This two-day training assists speakers in honing a message that tells their story in a safe and effective manner.
Survivors who complete the training are certainly not required to tell their story publicly after the training, but most do go on to speak at local suicide prevention conferences and local venues such as rotary, their church, legislative committees, etc. The training was developed by NAMI NH and is part of their Connect Suicide Prevention Project, which is listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practice Registry.
It is suggested that survivors be at least two years from their loss before attending; however, some survivors are ready earlier and should feel free to talk with us if you would like to attend.
The training is conducted over the course of two days and you will be asked to commit to both training days. The first day of the training will focus on the basics of public speaking, issues to be aware of around speaking about suicide, safe messaging, honing your message for particular audiences/media, and composing your personal story. The second day of the training will give you an opportunity to share your presentation, evaluate yourself, get feedback from the group, discuss how to be responsive to your audience, and review possible responses to difficult questions. There will be a homework assignment for the night of day one.
The training is free of charge to participants and is made possible through funding from SAMHSA.
Each training is limited to 8 participants. Information on training dates, location and registration can be found below:
September 21-22, 2011 - Harrisonburg, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
Blue Ridge Hall, James Madison University
601 University Blvd
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingHarrisonburg
For questions, please contact Christina Benton at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Workshop Teaches Tools for Preventing Suicide
Congrats to Amy, Karen and Kerima on building a suicide-safer community. Great coverage by WSET.com. Check out the article at http://www.wset.com/story/14960721/workshop-teaches-tools-for-preventing-suicide
Thanks for to all who participated!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Public Speaking Training for VA Survivors of Suicide Loss
The Virginia Department of Health will be offering a series of two day trainings for survivors of suicide loss who are interested in learning how to tell their story safely to friends, various audiences, and the media. Suicide survivors (those who have lost a loved one to suicide) play an important role in increasing awareness about suicide. By speaking about their personal loss and telling the story about their loved one’s life and death, survivors can promote healing and understanding, which in turn supports and encourages suicide prevention efforts. Suicide is a very complex issue and a great deal of research has been done about how to talk about suicide in a safe manner and in a way that will not increase the risk for those who may be vulnerable. This two-day training assists speakers in honing a message that tells their story in a safe and effective manner.
Survivors who complete the training are certainly not required to tell their story publicly after the training, but most do go on to speak at local suicide prevention conferences and local venues such as rotary, their church, legislative committees, etc. The training was developed by NAMI NH and is part of their Connect Suicide Prevention Project, which is listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practice Registry.
It is suggested that survivors be at least two years from their loss before attending; however, some survivors are ready earlier and should feel free to talk with us if you would like to attend.
The training is conducted over the course of two days and you will be asked to commit to both training days. The first day of the training will focus on the basics of public speaking, issues to be aware of around speaking about suicide, safe messaging, honing your message for particular audiences/media, and composing your personal story. The second day of the training will give you an opportunity to share your presentation, evaluate yourself, get feedback from the group, discuss how to be responsive to your audience, and review possible responses to difficult questions. There will be a homework assignment for the night of day one.
The training is free of charge to participants and is made possible through funding from SAMHSA.
Each training is limited to 8 participants. Information on training dates, location and registration can be found below:
July 12-13, 2011 – Norfolk, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
The Planning Council
5365 Robin Hood Road, Suite 700
Norfolk, VA 23513
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingNorfolk
August 17-18, 2011 - Woodbridge, Virginia (Co-Hosted by ACTS Helpline)
8:30am-4:30pm both days
James J. McCoart Administration Building
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingWoodbridge
September 21-22, 2011 - Harrisonburg, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
Blue Ridge Hall, James Madison University
601 University Blvd
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingHarrisonburg
For questions, please contact Christina Benton at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
Survivors who complete the training are certainly not required to tell their story publicly after the training, but most do go on to speak at local suicide prevention conferences and local venues such as rotary, their church, legislative committees, etc. The training was developed by NAMI NH and is part of their Connect Suicide Prevention Project, which is listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practice Registry.
It is suggested that survivors be at least two years from their loss before attending; however, some survivors are ready earlier and should feel free to talk with us if you would like to attend.
The training is conducted over the course of two days and you will be asked to commit to both training days. The first day of the training will focus on the basics of public speaking, issues to be aware of around speaking about suicide, safe messaging, honing your message for particular audiences/media, and composing your personal story. The second day of the training will give you an opportunity to share your presentation, evaluate yourself, get feedback from the group, discuss how to be responsive to your audience, and review possible responses to difficult questions. There will be a homework assignment for the night of day one.
The training is free of charge to participants and is made possible through funding from SAMHSA.
Each training is limited to 8 participants. Information on training dates, location and registration can be found below:
July 12-13, 2011 – Norfolk, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
The Planning Council
5365 Robin Hood Road, Suite 700
Norfolk, VA 23513
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingNorfolk
August 17-18, 2011 - Woodbridge, Virginia (Co-Hosted by ACTS Helpline)
8:30am-4:30pm both days
James J. McCoart Administration Building
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingWoodbridge
September 21-22, 2011 - Harrisonburg, Virginia8:30am-4:30pm both days
Blue Ridge Hall, James Madison University
601 University Blvd
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Register: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorTrainingHarrisonburg
For questions, please contact Christina Benton at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Regional Summits
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (Virginia Department of Veteran Services) will be hosting seven regional suicide prevention summits across Virginia during May and June of 2011. These one day summits are a way for communities to come together to learn about how suicide is affecting their communities, prevention resources and services available to them, their communities' needs in regard to suicide and what they can do to address those needs.
These summits will be held in seven locations across the state:
Abingdon, VA May 10, 2011
Roanoke, VA May 11, 2011
Harrisonburg, VA May 24, 2011
Fredericksburg, VA May 25, 2011
Chesterfield, VA June 1, 2011
Annandale, VA June 6, 2011
Hampton, VA June 15, 2011
These summits are open to everyone in the community. Since the afternoon of the summits are focused on community planning, you are strongly encouraged to attend a summit within the region in which you live or work. The opportunity to network and plan with peers from your area will be more valuable to you and we would like to make limited space available to members of the same communities.
REGISTRATIONThe following link can be used to register for a summit in your region:
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vsps/index.htmlThere is a $15 fee to attend the summits. The above registration link will contain more detailed information about the summits, a sample agenda, summits locations, and directions.
Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone you think would be interested. We look forward to seeing you at one of the summits!
These summits will be held in seven locations across the state:
Abingdon, VA May 10, 2011
Roanoke, VA May 11, 2011
Harrisonburg, VA May 24, 2011
Fredericksburg, VA May 25, 2011
Chesterfield, VA June 1, 2011
Annandale, VA June 6, 2011
Hampton, VA June 15, 2011
These summits are open to everyone in the community. Since the afternoon of the summits are focused on community planning, you are strongly encouraged to attend a summit within the region in which you live or work. The opportunity to network and plan with peers from your area will be more valuable to you and we would like to make limited space available to members of the same communities.
REGISTRATIONThe following link can be used to register for a summit in your region:
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/vsps/index.htmlThere is a $15 fee to attend the summits. The above registration link will contain more detailed information about the summits, a sample agenda, summits locations, and directions.
Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone you think would be interested. We look forward to seeing you at one of the summits!
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