Virginia Suicide Prevention Coalition

ASIST Trainers Conference Call

2012-01-06T11:13:00.001-05:00

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.

National Suicide Survivors Day

2011-10-20T10:39:00.002-04:00

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

Suicide Prevention Training - ASIST

2011-10-03T11:59:00.001-04:00

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.

Limited Seats Open for Public Speaking Training for Survivors of Suicide Loss

2011-09-07T12:05:00.002-04:00

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

Workshop Teaches Tools for Preventing Suicide

2011-06-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

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!

Public Speaking Training for VA Survivors of Suicide Loss

2011-06-14T09:45:00.002-04:00

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.

Regional Summits

2011-04-11T15:42:00.000-04:00

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!

Regional Summits on Suicide Prevention

2011-03-29T09:38:00.003-04:00

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, Virginia Department of Veterans Services present 2011 regional summits on:

Suicide Prevention

The summits are open to all community members, especially:
 Mental Health Professionals (public or private)
 Para-Professionals
 Veterans
 School Personnel First Responders AND Law Enforcement Medical Professionals
 Suicide Survivors/Family Members
 Older Adult Community Members
 Faith Based Community Members
 Organizations focused on Suicide Prevention
 Local Health Districts and Local Departments of Social Services

At each one-day summit, there will be presentations on:
 the most current suicide data from each region;
 suicide prevention education and training resources;
 Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, veteran needs and services available to them;
 a survivor’s experience.

Facilitated discussions will be held on: how suicide is affecting communities;
 community needs in regard to suicide;
 what communities can do to address their needs regarding suicide.

Dates and Locations of Each Summit:
May 10 - Abingdon
May 11 - Roanoke
May 24 - Harrisonburg
May 25 - Fredericksburg
June 1 - Chesterfield
June 6 - Annandale
June 15 - Hampton

On-line registration will open for this statewide training on Monday April 11, 2011. Please look for more details coming to you soon!

Reach out. Check in. Save a life.

2011-03-25T10:55:00.003-04:00

Reach Out. Check In. Save a Life. was created in order to promote positive human interaction.

Every day in the United States, there are approximately 95 deaths by suicide, 45 deaths by homicide, countless individuals losing a battle with substance abuse and millions of people suffering from depression. Odds are, if you’re reading this, you or someone you know is affected by one of the above scenarios. We believe simple human interaction can play a large role in reducing these numbers.

Reach Out. Check In. Save a Life. encourages everyone to take some time out of their day to reach out and connect with someone who might be struggling. Make plans to meet up with a friend for lunch or coffee. Smile and say hello to someone at school who seems alone and without a group of friends to hang out with. Go to dinner with a family member. People need to feel connected to others, and to feel that someone notices them and cares. You never know who might be feeling alone and something as simple as a smile or a conversation can go a long way in showing someone that people care.

You’re encouraged to listen to your intuition. If you feel that someone you know (or maybe you don’t know) is having a rough time, reach out. Start a simple conversation. The goal is not to take on that individual’s problems, rather to give a listening ear.

Most of the time, listening is enough help in and of itself. This action can go a long way in making someone feel less isolated and may help reduce the odds of relatively smaller stresses in life turning into large ones. We hope you take some time to browse this website. You’ll find ideas for how to reach out, what warning signs to look for and ways to find resources to be able to help someone in need.

Check it out! www.reachoutcheckin.com

SAMHSA's 10x10 Campaign

2011-03-23T09:16:00.002-04:00

SAMNOW AVAILABLE: FREE 10x10 Wellness Campaign Brochures and Posters
The 10x10 Wellness Campaign launched its free brochures and posters for clinicians, community organizations, consumers/survivors and peers who want to take action to improve the life expectancy of people with behavioral health challenges by 10 years in the next 10 years.

The new resources include:
1. Top Three Ways to Promote Wellness poster (SMA10-4569)
2. Eight Dimensions of Wellness poster (SMA10-4568)
3. Informational brochure for primary care providers that provides strategies for talking about wellness and connecting with patients’ behavioral health care providers (SMA10-4566)
4. Motivational brochure for consumers/survivors/peers that describes how to incorporate the Eight Dimensions of Wellness into everyday life (SMA10-4567)
5. Informational brochure to raise awareness about the disparity in early mortality for people with behavioral health problems and gain “champions” for the 10x10 Wellness Campaign (SMA10-4565)

These consumer-centered tools establish a shared language for talking about how wellness can support recovery for individuals with behavioral health challenges.
To order or download these free materials, visit http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA10-4566 or call toll free 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (877-726-4727). To learn about the other resources available through the 10x10 Wellness Campaign, SAMHSA and the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health, visit: http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/10by10/resources.aspx and www.fda.gov/womens.

Lifekeepers Quilt

2011-02-28T15:40:00.002-05:00

I am now the local organizer for the Lifekeeper's Quilt for Virginia. I hope that you will join with me in this effort and honor the memory or our loved one by crafting a quilt square for Virginia's new AFSP Lifekeeper Memory Quilt.

This quilt will be publicly displayed at local and national events to put a human face on the tragedy of suicide and the devastating toll it has taken on our community. As each square is stitched together with others, we will also be reminded that none of us are alone - there are thousands of others who also feel the pain and loneliness of losing a loved one to suicide. You can find out more about the Lifekeeper's Quilt at www.afsp.org/quilts.

Crafting a quilt square is easy to do - no sewing is required. To get started, contact Christy Letsom, 757-622-9268 ext 3041 or email me cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org.

Thank you for sharing your story. Together, we show that behind the statistics are the stories and memories of those we loved so dearly.

Gatekeeper Training Simulation Increases Likelihood Teacher will Act

2011-02-14T12:24:00.001-05:00

Gatekeeper Training Simulation Increases Likelihood that Teachers Will Act to Prevent Youth Suicide

A national study among over 300 high school teachers across the U.S. reveals that completing a new online, interactive gatekeeper training simulation results in statistically significant gains in the likelihood that a teacher will intervene with a student exhibiting signs of depression and suicidal ideation.

Unlike any other gatekeeper training, At-Risk for High School Educators engages learners in simulated conversations with student avatars that are fully animated and emotionally responsive.
The study analyzed the results of surveys taken by 327 teachers who completed the training simulation, versus teachers in a control group who did not. Additional findings strongly suggest that the training simulation significantly increases:

1. Teachers' ability to identify, approach, and refer at-risk students; and
2. Teachers' confidence in their ability to help a suicidal student

Click here to download a complete report of the study.

Launched in September 2010, the At-Risk for High School Educators program has been adopted by Texas and New York to provide training to more than 70,000 high school educators. More information about this program is available at www.kognito.com/atrisk.

If you are interested in learning more about the study or Kognito's suite of gatekeeper training simulations for teachers, students, families of returning veterans, and medical personnel please contact us at 212-675-9234 or info@kognito.com.

Public Speaking for VA Survivors of Suicide

2011-01-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

The Virginia Department of Health, in partnership with NAMI New Hampshire will be offering a two day training for survivors of suicide loss who are interested in learning how to tell their story safely to friends, to various audiences, and to 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 are 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 postvention trainings, 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.

When: February 22 -23, 2011
Time: 9-4pm both days
Where: Richmond, VA (exact location TBA)
The training is free of charge to participants and is made possible through funding from SAMHSA.

The training is limited to 8 participants. Go here to register, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/survivortraining For questions, please contact Christina Benton at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.

Suicide Prevention Training for Mental Health Clinicians

2011-01-13T10:22:00.002-05:00

Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk in their patients. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.

RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinicians working with patients on an ongoing basis. Participants can include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addiction counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.

Additional information about RRSR is available at http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/education-and-training/rrsr

The Virginia Department of Health will host 4 RRSR trainings in 2011. This training is for all mental health professionals, regardless of your place of work. Through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) each training will be offered at no cost to 40 participants; the training is typically valued at $250. All training materials will be provided.
Continuing Education Credits are available for physicians/psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychologist. Additional information about CEUs will be provided to registered participants prior to the training date.

The training will be from 8:30-4:45 both days. One hour will be given for lunch; 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.
2010 Training Dates, Locations, and Registration:

February 28- March 1, 2011
Richmond, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRRichmond
April 12-13, 2011
Ashburn, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRNOVA
May 2-3, 2011
Virginia Beach, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRVABeach

September 19-20, 2011
Lynchburg, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRLynchburg

Free Community Forum September 9th

2010-09-08T10:48:00.001-04:00

Free Community Forum
What is the situation in Virginia? What are the prevention efforts? Join us in an evening dedicated to education and sharing!
• Learn from our diverse group of panelists!
• Question and Answer session!

When: Thursday, Sept 9th 2010 6pm - 8pm

Where: VCU Student Commons, Virginia Room C & D

Cost: FREE

Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Suicide among Older Adults

2010-09-08T10:36:00.000-04:00

Presenters: Chris Miara, M.S., Director of Training and Administration, SPRC
Rosalyn Blogier, LCSW-C, Public Health Advisor, SAMHSA
Yeates Conwell, M.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester
When: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 3:00 PM-4:30 PM Eastern Time

Brief description: Older adults die by suicide at a higher rate than the national average. Every year, more than 5,000 Americans over the age of 65 die by suicide, a death toll that is largely preventable. Elderly white men have the highest rate of suicide of all demographic groups in the U.S. Although suicide rates of older Americans have been slowly declining for many years, older men and women of every race continue to die by suicide, and the need for prevention is urgent. This webinar reviews the research associated with suicide among older adults, including risk and protective factors and effective suicide prevention strategies. In addition, this webinar will specifically address the issue of suicide risk and prevention in the context of community programs and residential facilities.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
1. Describe the scope of the problem, including risk and protective factors related to suicide among older adults
2. Summarize research findings regarding effective suicide prevention strategies for this population.
3. Report the key findings from focus groups and interviews with senior living center staff regarding their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
4. Access a new toolkit funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled "Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Suicide in Senior Living Communities.”

Additional resources to be referenced during the webinar:
Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Living Communities
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA10-4515

Register online
Space is limited. Please register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/212444497
After you register, you will receive an e-mail containing information about how to participate in the webinar via the phone and internet. If you have any questions about your registration, please contact Tiffany Kim, SPRC Project Coordinator at 202-572-3717 or tkim@edc.org.

RRSR in Abingdon

2010-06-30T10:30:00.001-04:00

Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Mental Health Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk in their patients. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.
RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinician. Participants typically include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addictions counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.
Additional information is available at Suicide Prevention Training For Mental Health Clinicians in Abingdon, VA Added to 2010 Schedule
Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Mental Health Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk in their patients. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.
RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinician. Participants typically include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addictions counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.
Additional information is available at http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/education-and-training/rrsr
When: August 2 & 3, 2010
Where: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, Virginia
Cost: This training is provided free of charge. Lunch will be on your own both days.

Registration: Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRAbingdon to register.
Seating is limited to 50 people per training. 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.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions; christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.

2008 Injury in Virginia Report

2010-05-28T12:26:00.001-04:00

Injuries are a leading public health problem in Virginia. In 2008, there were 3,929 injury related deaths and 42,748 injury related hospitalizations. Attached to this email you will find the Injury in Virginia, 2008 report; which provides an overview of injury deaths and hospitalizations in Virginia. A new edition was made to the report this year; a section evaluating injury death and hospitalization by insurance status and community poverty.

I also want to remind you that for more information either on injury data in your area or for other areas in Virginia you may visit VOIRS, the Virginia Online Injury Reporting System at http://www.vahealth.org/CIVP/VOIRS. This system contains data from 1999-2008 and allows you to create customized injury data reports on various mechanisms (causes) and intents of injury by geographic and demographic variables.
For more injury related reports and data please visit the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention’s webpage at http://www.vahealth.org/Injury/Data.

If you have any questions, need additional data, or would like me to provide a presentation on injuries to you or to groups within your community please contact me by phone at 804-864-7745 or by email at stephanie.goodman@vdh.virginia.gov.

Stories that Heal

2010-05-28T12:25:00.000-04:00

Stories That Heal (A National Mental Health Campaign for the African American Community)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), working in collaboration with the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation, announced today the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community.

Mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are widespread in the U.S. and often misunderstood. According to SAMHSA, in 2008 there were an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older living with serious mental illness. Among adults, the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18 to 25 age group, yet this age group is also the least likely to receive services or counseling. In 2008, 6.0 percent of African Americans ages 18-25 had serious mental illness in the past year. Overall, only 58.7 percent of Americans with serious mental illness received care within the past 12 months and the percentage of African Americans receiving services is only 44.8 percent.
Created pro bono by Grey New York through the Ad Council, the campaign aims to promote acceptance of mental health problems within the African American community by encouraging, educating and inspiring young adults to step up and talk openly about mental health problems. The television, radio, print and Web ads feature real personal stories of African Americans dealing with mental health problems, and they aim to engage those in the community to support young adults who need help. The PSAs direct audiences to visit a new website, www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov, where they can learn more about mental health problems and how to get involved.

What a Difference a Friend Makes

2010-05-28T12:24:00.000-04:00

What a Difference a Friend Makes (A National Campaign for Young Adults With Mental Health Issues)
According to a national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) there are an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older living with serious mental illness. Among adults, the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18 to 25 age group, yet this age group is also the least likely to receive services or counseling for mental health issues.
To help address this problem and as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, SAMHSA and The Advertising Council have launched a series of national public service announcements (PSAs) designed to encourage, educate and inspire young adults (18-25 years old) to step up and support friends and family they know are experiencing a mental health problem.
Created by the advertising agency Grey New York, through the Ad Council, the campaign aims to promote acceptance of mental health problems by encouraging, educating and inspiring young adults to step up and talk openly about mental health problems. The new television and Web PSAs encourage young adults to step up and help a friend through recovery. The PSAs direct audiences to visit the campaign website, www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov, where they can participate in a new discussion forum, find tools to help in the recovery process, learn about the different types of mental illnesses, read real-life stories about support and recovery, and to see how friends can make all the difference. The PSAs will air in advertising time that will be entirely donated by the media. In an effort to further the reach of the campaign online, a social media program will also kick off this week.

SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR CAMPUS MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS

2010-04-28T12:59:00.002-04:00

Eight Slots are available for May 24-25th....

Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.

RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinician. Participants typically come from both campus and community settings and include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addictions counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.

RRSR is a complement to the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program. ASIST is suicide prevention “first aid”; for ‘frontline’ helpers who will be referring a person at risk on to the next level of care. RRSR is for the clinicians who receive those referrals, make decisions about emergency care and provide longer term treatment.

Additional information is available at Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.

RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinician. Participants typically come from both campus and community settings and include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addictions counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.

RRSR is a complement to the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program. ASIST is suicide prevention “first aid”; for ‘frontline’ helpers who will be referring a person at risk on to the next level of care. RRSR is for the clinicians who receive those referrals, make decisions about emergency care and provide longer term treatment.

Additional information is available at Most mental health clinicians have had little or no formal training in assessing suicide risk, yet they are often called upon to do so. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians (RRSR) has been developed by the American Association of Suicidology specifically to fill this training gap. RRSR is an advanced, interactive training based on established core competencies that mental health professionals need in order to effectively assess and manage suicide risk. The program has several components, including a web-based assessment; two on-line, self-paced modules; a two-day face-to-face workshop; and post-workshop mentorship through on-line learning activities.

RRSR is appropriate for any mental health clinician. Participants typically come from both campus and community settings and include licensed private counselors, licensed clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, addictions counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists and pastoral counselors.

RRSR is a complement to the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program. ASIST is suicide prevention “first aid”; for ‘frontline’ helpers who will be referring a person at risk on to the next level of care. RRSR is for the clinicians who receive those referrals, make decisions about emergency care and provide longer term treatment.

Additional information is available at http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/education-and-training/rrsr

The Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia, in partnership with the Virginia Department of health, will host 3 RRSR trainings in 2010. Thanks to a generous grant from the Division of Injury and Violence Prevention of the Virginia Department of Health, there is no cost to participants. The RRSR training is typically valued at $250.

Our trainer will be Dr. Adrienne Barna, licensed clinical psychologist and the Associate Director of Counseling and Psychological Service at George Mason University. Dr. Barna coordinates clinical and emergency services and specializes in providing training to campus based counseling center staff. Dr. Barna has been affiliated with Mason for over 24 years.

Please note; these trainings are open only to those working in professional mental health/clinician role.

2010 Training Dates/Locations:
May 24-25, Augusta Health (formerly Augusta Medical Center), Fishersville, VA
Sept. 23-24, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton VA

The Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia, in partnership with the Virginia Department of health, will host 3 RRSR trainings in 2010. Thanks to a generous grant from the Division of Injury and Violence Prevention of the Virginia Department of Health, there is no cost to participants. The RRSR training is typically valued at $250.

For more information or to Register Contact: Jane Wiggins at wigginjr@jmr.edu or go to http://www.campussuicidepreventionva.org

Virginia's Wounded Warrior Conference

2010-01-04T14:44:00.001-05:00

SAVE THE DATE!
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program is hosting Virginia is for Heroes 2010 in Richmond, Virginia on February 18th. The conference will address the support needed for veterans and their family members experiencing the effects of combat stress and traumatic brain injury.
On-line registration for the conference will begin on January 8, 2010. Please see the attached flyer and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services website (www.VirginiaforVeterans.com) for more information.
...from C. Sloan, SPM, Virginia Department of Health

Voices of Hope and Recovery

2010-01-04T12:27:00.002-05:00

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Behavioral Services recently premiered a new film, “Voices of Hope and Recovery,” that documents the struggles and victories of five Virginians who have overcome mental illness to live life in their own communities. Created by award-winning Virginia filmmaker Robert Griffith, along with an original score by acclaimed Virginia singer/songwriter Steve Bassett, this film illustrates the power of hope and the possibility of recovery from serious mental illness. Though taking place in Virginia, these stories of hope and recovery could be happening anywhere in the country or the world. The five brave individuals featured in this film speak for millions of others who are on similar paths.
The film is now available online, found here: http://www.vimeo.com/8248404. Please feel free to pass this link on to any interested parties. (Please note if you have difficulty playing the film, you may fix the problem by downloading the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.)
Below is an AP story on the film premiere.
...from C. Sloan, Suicide Prevention Manager, Virginia Department of Health

Trainers Conference: October 27-29th

2009-10-19T11:41:00.004-04:00

Don't wait! Register now for the 2009 ASIST Trainers Conference. This is a training opportunity for all ASIST X trainers in Virginia, Maryland, DC and North Carolina. It provides an opportunity to update skills, expand competency and network with other ASIST trainers. There are only 30 slots available! The cost of the training is only $175.00. This includes meals and lodging. Register now at www.preventsuicidetpc.org Email Christy Letsom if you need a copy of the training registration information in pdf format. October 24th is the registration deadline.

Webinar: Connections to Care

2009-10-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

The TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups
invites you to join our next webinar:

Connections to Care:

Developing a Mental Health Service Capacity
for Youth in Rural Communities

Wednesday, November 11
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. EDT

Steven Adelsheim, M.D.

Director, Center for Rural and Community Behavioral Health
Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, & Family/Community Medicine
University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry

To register please click here or copy and paste the below link in your browser
https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/8002049490/Registration.aspx?PageName=d743xzt3qlbmdrjt
...from TeenScreen

Campus Suicide Prevention Center

2009-10-15T17:03:00.001-04:00

From the Weekly SPARK: The newly created Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia (CSPC), based at James Madison University, plans to develop strategies and activities for suicide prevention and mental health promotion at colleges across the state. The first CSPC event, “The Healthy Minds Study Guided Work Day,” will take place on the JMU campus October 15. The event will include student planning teams from eight Virginia colleges, who will use expertise from SPRC and the University of Michigan School of Public Health, as well as Virginia-specific survey data, to guide their planning efforts. Check them out at http://www.campussuicidepreventionva.org/

Campus Suicide Prevention Conference

2009-10-06T10:12:00.002-04:00

If you have not already registered for the statewide conference on reducing risk for suicide on Virginia’s college and university campuses, please do so by the Friday, Oct. 9th deadline.

“Campus Suicide Prevention: The Big Picture”, is a one-day event during which speakers will present strategies for assessing and promoting student mental health as well as responding to students who are at risk for suicide. Data from the 2009 Healthy Minds Survey, which provides information specific to college student mental health, will also be presented. Eight of the 16 participating campuses were from Virginia in 2009 (a consortium supported by the Virginia Department of Health).

The date is Oct. 16, 2009 and the location is James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. A light breakfast will be available after 8:15 and the conference will start at 9:00. The day’s events will end at 4:00pm. Lunch will be provided.

The conference is offered at no cost to participants. Lodging is still available for those who come from a distance. See the attachment or the website for additional details.

Registration, the day’s agenda, lodging information and directions are available on-line at www.CampusSuicidePreventionVA.org.

We look forward to seeing you there,

Jane

Jane Wiggins, Ph.D., Director
The Campus Suicide Prevention Center of Virginia
MSC 9008 James Madison University
601 University Blvd.
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
wigginjr@jmu.edu
540-568-8901
www.CampusSuicidePreventionVA.org

Statewide Directory

2009-09-08T10:06:00.002-04:00

We are in the final stages of compiling a list of all suicide prevention resources in the State of Virginia. If you are aware of any program, survivor of suicide, prevention, education, advocacy, intervention or otherwise, please be in touch with Christy Letsom at the Crisis Line at cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org. This information will soon be available via the Crisis Line website at www.preventsuicidetpc.org.

Have YOU Registered???

2009-09-02T20:56:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to register for the Virginia Stakeholders Meeting September 30, 2009. It will be a great opportunity to connect with others who are actively working to prevent and intervene at a time of suicidal crisis. You can register at www.thepreventsuicidetpc.org. Look for the blue box on the opening page. Look forward to seeing you all there!!!

Stakeholders Meeting!!!!

2009-08-12T10:38:00.002-04:00

On September 30, 2009, there will be a meeting in Richmond hosted by Virginia Department of Health gathering the Suicide Prevention Stakeholders in the Commonwealth. Please SAVE THE DATE. More information will follow regarding the meeting but early registration is most appreciated. You can register for the meeting by following the link at www.preventsuicidetpc.org. Please forward this information to anyone working in suicide prevention in the state.

SAVE THE DATE!

2009 Suicide Prevention Stakeholders Meeting
September 30, 2009
Richmond, Virginia
Location to be Announced

Sponsored by: The Division of Injury and Violence Prevention, Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Suicide Prevention Coalition

Topics include:
Suicide in Virginia: An update from the Virginia Violent Death Reporting System (VVDRS)
Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention
Incorporating Cultural Competency into Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Training Occurring in Virginia
Importance of Training with Fidelity

Please register early at www.preventsuicidetpc.org

Creating a Directory

2009-07-16T15:54:00.003-04:00

In collaboration with the Department of Health, I am attempting to create a statewide suicide prention stakeholders directory. I know that there are many out there interested in being a part of this directory, but I don't know who you all are. Please contact me if you are part of an SOS group, a local coalition, researcher or any group that should be a part of this directory. You can email me directly at cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org.

Suicide Gene?

2009-06-17T15:50:00.000-04:00

National Institute of Mental Health
A new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found a strong association between stressful life events and the development of major depression, but did not support the role of a particular gene variation previously thought to increase risk. A 2003 study had reported an increased risk for major depression among people with a particular gene variation who were exposed to a number of stressful life events over a five-year period. The new meta-analysis examined 14 studies that attempted to replicate the results of the 2003 study and found no association between the gene variant and major depression (alone or in conjunction with stressful life events) in any of the studies analyzed.

More information can be found at www.sprc.org
.....from Weekly SPARK

Pioneer in Suicide Prevention Dies

2009-05-26T09:01:00.001-04:00

Edwin S. Shneidman, a pioneer in the field of suicide prevention and a prolific thinker and writer who believed that life is enriched by contemplation of death and dying, has died. He was 91.

Shneidman, one of the founders of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, believed that two simple questions -- "Where do you hurt?" and "How may I help you?" -- could begin to unlock the suicidal impulse.

Shneidman, along with Norman Farberow and Robert Litman, established the center in an abandoned tuberculosis hospital on the grounds of Los Angeles County Hospital in 1958. Staff members offered counseling and support over the phone to the depressed and suicidal. It represented a radical idea in mental health care in America.
...excerpted from LA Times.

Military and Veterans' Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

2009-05-26T08:57:00.000-04:00

New Resources Available on Military and Veterans' Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
• TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) has recently published A TRICARE Guide: Understanding Behavioral Health. The guide is an important tool to reduce the stigma associated with getting help for behavioral and mental health issues.
• The Army has developed a campaign plan for health promotion, risk reduction and suicide prevention.
• The Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's Association (IAVA) has created a website to support military families and friends in identifying warning signs in their loved ones and to provide tips on how to engage in conversations about mental health and seeking help.
To learn more got to SPAN USA.
..from E-News, SPAN USA

AFSP/SPAN Merger Complete

2009-05-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

SPAN USA, as a division of AFSP, will spearhead the foundation's advocacy and public policy initiatives from our Washington, D.C. office. Five former members of SPAN USA's board of directors have been appointed to AFSP's national board of directors and a 15-member public policy council has been established to guide the organization's advocacy agenda.
...from E-News, SPAN

“Teens in Crisis”

2009-04-23T11:34:00.001-04:00

Special Guest Speaker: Dr. Jerry Reed, Director, SPRC

Date: May 13, 2009
Time: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Location: Germanna Community College, Daniel Technology Center, Culpeper, Va.
Cost: Free and lunch is provided

Topics:
• Communities in Action
• Intervention System for Schools
• Aftermath: Developing a Community Response

RSVP: Linda Hawkins at lhawkins@rrcsb.org

Sponsored by: Teen Suicide Prevention Grant, Healthy Culpeper Prevention Coalition,
Mental Health Association of Fauquier, Orange County Interagency Council,
Fauquier CADRE, and Madison County Prevention Coalition

Trends in ER visits, 1992-2001

2009-02-05T11:03:00.002-05:00

[Crisis] Over the course of the decade studied, the rate of emergency department (ED) visits in the U.S. that were related to suicide attempts virtually doubled. The observed increases were concentrated in metropolitan areas, among non-Hispanic whites, in individuals under 15 years of age or between the ages of 50 and 69. Emergency departments are under-recognized for their importance as sites for suicide prevention. [Read more]
...from SPRC, Weekly SPARK

SPRC: GLBT Youth Research

2009-02-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has released Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Written by SPRC staff and reviewed by experts in sexual and gender minority issues, suicide, and suicide prevention, and by youth, this publication addresses the special concerns related to suicide prevention among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. Research conducted by experts in mental health, suicide prevention, and other fields shows that a higher proportion of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth consider and attempt suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. Based on the higher rate of suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth and the relative seriousness of these attempts, the authors of this report postulate that it is likely these youth experience higher rates of suicide deaths than non-LGB youth. Less research about transgender youth is available, but these youth generally share risk factors associated with suicidal behavior (such as victimization, depression and substance abuse) with their LGB peers.

Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth draws on research from the past ten years to summarize the current state of knowledge about suicidality in LGBT youth, and outlines twenty-one recommendations for helping to reduce suicidal behavior in this group. These recommendations are appropriate for agencies, organizations, and individuals such as school staff, health and social service providers, suicide prevention programs, and researchers, as well as funders and organizations serving LGBT youth. Recommendations are in the following areas:
• lowering risk specific to or disparately affecting LGBT youth
• improving provider recognition of youth at risk
• increasing outreach and access to services
• increasing coping and protective factors among these youth
The paper, coauthored by Effie Malley, Marc Posner, and Lloyd Potter, includes a resource appendix and an extensive bibliography. The paper may be downloaded from the SPRC site at http://www.sprc.org/library/SPRC_LGBT_Youth.pdf

SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist states, tribal nations, organizations, and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions, and policies. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), SPRC is operated by the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), in Newton, Massachusetts.

10th Annual SOS Webcast Available

2009-02-02T11:32:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, November 22, 2008 survivors of suicide loss joined together from over 175 locations in the U.S. and abroad for support, healing, information and empowerment. The day of conferences connected survivors through a 90-minute program, viewed simultaneously around the world by webcast, satellite and DVD from 1-2:30pm EST. This broadcast is now available on the AFSP website so survivors can watch it free of charge, on their own computers, anytime. Click here to watch now. (You'll be asked to fill out a short registration form first, then the direct webcast link will pop up on your screen.) Starting in January, you may also purchase a DVD version for $19.95 by visiting the AFSP Store.

Save the date for AFSP's 11th National Survivors of Suicide Day
Saturday, November 21, 2009
...from SPAN USA email

Action Alert for our friends in Georgia: SPAN GA

2009-02-02T10:34:00.001-05:00

Survivors of Suicide and the Suicide Prevention Community
We are in need of your assistance quickly!!!
On January 14th, 2009, the Governor released his 2009 Fiscal Year final recommendations as well as the 2010 Budget Recommendations. These recommendations included discontinuing all suicide prevention activities and removed ALL funding for FY2010 and all funds not currently encumbered for FY2009. Basically, our Suicide Prevention Program put in place in 2006 by HB 1092 was not just given cuts as other programs were, but eliminated. We will lose our funding to retain a Suicide Prevention Coordinator, our Epidemiologist and all related activities will cease. This is years worth of work to get this program and funding in place- lost, bringing us back to starting over. All of our suicide prevention work so far was begun and sustained by bringing the grassroots voice of the people and our communities, to the government. And it is important that our voices are heard from every county in Georgia.
So far, these cuts are all recommendations, so there is time…YOU CAN HELP!! We are asking that you CALL AND WRITE your state Senator, Representative and Governor Perdue, and ask them to support the restoration of funding for the Suicide Prevention Program.

This is an action that needs to be taken NOW, this week and next. The legislature will be making this final determination soon.

I want to remind each of you that this grassroots movement is the basis for which our nation was founded. We are constituents in our Senators, Representatives and Governors communities. We have the first amendment right to write and call and ask for our leaders to support our needs. They are people just like we are. When enough of us ask the same request, the request itself is taken to a much more powerful level. Help us to let the voice of survivors and the suicide prevention community be heard!

FOR A PHONE CALL:
Don’t be shy, and when you call, ask for your legislator. It is best to speak directly to your legislator, so try to achieve that. But if it is not possible, leave a detailed message for them. They do keep track of these calls and the subject of the calls, so be sure to leave the message that you would like to speak with your legislator about restoring the funding to the Suicide Prevention Program. Be polite and be positive!
Read the Facts Sheet about the program as well as the sample letter and know what you would like to say. Use the talking points as your guide.

FOR A LETTER:
For a letter, you need to get it off quickly. A personal letter is the best choice. We have included a sample letter. Feel free to create a letter completely of your own or using this sample as a guideline for your talking points within the letter, or use the sample text for your own letter. Sign it personally. Again, be polite and positive!

TALKING POINTS
• Disappointed at the cuts to the Suicide Prevention Program
• Relate your personal story. (short and succinct)
• The economic crisis and unemployment contribute to depression and suicide risk. In this economic time it is more imperative that the funding is in place to support these needs.
• Suicide is preventable.
• With a small amount of funding, the Suicide Prevention Program has done an incredible amount of population based work that has positively impacted our communities statewide and we support the continuation of this work. (see program facts sheet)
• Ask your legislator to support the restoration of all funding for the Suicide Prevention Program.

As we need voices from all over the state, please forward this to any and all of your friends, family and colleagues in Georgia! Start your own email tree…send it on to everyone that you can and ask them to respond quickly.

I have attached the fact sheet that will be provided to the legislators as well as a sample letter. Please review them.

TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR:

If you do not know who your Senator or Representatives or need to find their exact mailing address and phone, you can go to this link and put in your zip code and it will take you to a list of the legislators for your address.

http://capwiz.com/spanusa/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials

Then if you click on the legislator’s name, it will take you to more information. (If the link doesn’t open, just copy and paste into your browser.) When you are directed to your Legislator, there will be tabs over the picture and one will say contact. Click on it and it will give you their mailing address and phone numbers.

Please use the Atlanta address and phone at the Capitol because the legislature is in session.

After you call and/or mail a letter, contact us to let us know what happened with your contact. It is an important part of advocacy to keep track of contacts and coverage. We would like to be able to know how many Senators and Representatives that we reached and how many calls and letters they received. Then as we make our personal appointments to meet with them, we are able to better represent you in every community in Georgia. Feel free to call or email just to give a brief update on what action you were able to take and what happened.

So my contact information is:

Sheri McGuinness
SPAN-GA
spangeorgia@aol.com
770-517-6405 Home Office
770-354-7616 Cell

Survivors Day Conference Webcast

2008-12-15T11:57:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, November 22, 2008 survivors of suicide loss joined together from over 175 locations in the U.S. and abroad for support, healing, information and empowerment. The day of conferences connected survivors through a 90-minute program, viewed simultaneously around the world by webcast, satellite and DVD from 1-2:30pm EST. This broadcast is now available on the AFSP website so survivors can watch it free of charge, on their own computers, anytime. Click here to watch now. (You'll be asked to fill out a short registration form first, then the direct webcast link will pop up on your screen.) Starting in January, you may also purchase a DVD version for $19.95 by visiting the AFSP Store.

A Million Calls

2008-11-24T16:17:00.000-05:00

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network has answered its one millionth call since the hotline was launched on Jan. 1, 2005.

“The Lifeline reached this significant milestone because more people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis are becoming aware that help is available just by picking up the telephone and dialing 1-800-273-TALK,” said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s acting administrator, Eric Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H.

Using state-of-the-art technology and a network of 133 local crisis centers across the country, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) can immediately link a caller seeking help to a trained counselor closest to the caller’s location, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls to the toll-free Lifeline are confidential.

“People who feel hopeless, who don’t see a way out of their problems and their pain, need to know that there is somewhere they can turn for support and assistance. You are not alone,” Dr. Broderick said.

SAMHSA, which established the Lifeline in 2005 with a grant to Link2Health Solutions, Inc., has been working with organizations such as the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to focus public attention on the nationwide impact of suicide and to highlight ways to prevent it. In 2005, suicides accounted for 32,637 deaths in the United States. The suicide estimate is for the latest year for which data is available. The total is almost twice the number of homicides.

Within the past 15 months, the Lifeline has become linked with the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline - a partnership between SAMHSA and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Hotline provides national, around-the-clock access to crisis counseling for veterans and their families. Veterans seeking help or concerned family members can call 800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1” to be connected to a specialized call center run by the Department of Veterans Affairs and staffed by mental health professionals.

Currently, calls to the Lifeline average 47,500 per month, with more than 1,580 people calling daily.
...from SAMHSA website

10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day

2008-11-18T15:29:00.001-05:00

Saturday, November 22, 2008

A Day of Healing For Survivors of Suicide Loss

This Saturday, join with other survivors of suicide loss at a local site near you or register to watch the 90-minute program from your home computer from 1-2:30pm Eastern Time and take part in a free online chat immediately afterwards.

The program includes a blend of emotional support and information about resources for healing for survivors of suicide loss. Survivors and mental health professionals discuss their experiences and answer the questions that so many survivors face: Why did this happen? How do I cope?

To find a conference site nearest you, or to register to watch the webcast from home, visit www.afsp.org/survivorday. When you register to watch from home, you are automatically registered for the online chat afterwards.
...from Joanne Harpel, AFSP

SPAN and AFSP Merge

2008-11-06T12:12:00.004-05:00

Washington D.C./New York, N.Y. - November 6, 2008 – Two of the nation’s leading suicide prevention organizations – the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) have announced their intent to merge. More information is available at www.span.org and www.afsp.org.

For the full text of this press release, go to SPAN or AFSP websites.
...from SPAN USA website

10th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day

2008-11-04T12:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday, November 22, 2008

A Day of Healing For Survivors of Suicide Loss

Join with other survivors of suicide loss at a local site near you or register to watch the 90-minute program from your home computer from 1-2:30 Eastern Time and take part in a free online chat immediately afterwards. To find a conference site nearest you, or to register to watch the webcast from home, visit www.afsp.org/survivorday. (Please note that we continue to add to the list of over 165 participating cities.)

The program includes a blend of emotional support and information about resources for healing for survivors of suicide loss. Survivors and mental health professionals discuss their experiences and answer the questions that so many survivors face: Why did this happen? How do I cope?

We hope you'll share in this powerful day of support, information, and healing. Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone you think might be interested.

CrisisLink & National Senior Suicide Prevention Summit

2008-10-23T11:35:00.001-04:00

Last week, CrisisLink participated in a first of its kind national senior suicide prevention conference, "It Takes a Community: Opportunities for Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention Efforts in Senior Living Communities." Conference participants discussed, shared, and planned for effective suicide prevention and mental health promotion practices and programs to benefit older adults in residential communities. CrisisLink's Director of Community Education & Crisis Response helped guide the effort to develop protocols and procedures to respond to suicides with comprehensive postvention programs to assist in the grief process and to identify and support survivors at a greater risk for negative outcomes. CrisisLink is proud to be involved in this initiative.
...from CrisisLink News and Information

Suicide Barrier: Golden Gate Bridge

2008-10-13T16:59:00.002-04:00

By John Bateson, Executive Director, Contra Costa Crisis Center

Last week the Golden Gate Bridge District Board of Directors voted to erect a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge. The vote, 14-1 in favor, was the first time the directors have ever publicly supported a barrier. It came 71 years after the first suicide from the bridge. It also followed a year in which 37 people died jumping off the Golden Gate—the highest total in more than 10 years. The Golden Gate Bridge is the top suicide magnet in the world. No other site is close.

Since it opened in 1937, there have been more than 1,300 confirmed deaths. The actual number undoubtedly is higher as the bodies of some jumpers never are found. By comparison, suicide barriers on other international landmarks—the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Duomo—were erected after no more than half that number.

For years, opponents of a barrier have ignored the tears of families who have lost loved ones and the pleas of mental health professionals to end these tragic and unnecessary deaths. Opponents have cited aesthetic concerns, which are legitimate, and a belief that barriers don’t matter because suicidal people will just kill themselves another way—a notion that’s contrary to all empirical evidence.

The vast majority of people who are suicidal fixate on one means of death. If it’s closed to them, they choose to live.

This is a fact that’s hard to understand if you’ve never contemplated suicide, yet it’s true. All of the research—and there’s a lot if it—says so.

The bridge district’s vote was historic; however, it’s only the beginning. Next April an environmental impact report will be completed, and after that funding needs to be raised. Officials estimate that construction of a barrier is at least three to five years away.

That makes this a good news, bad news story. The good news is that there’ll be a barrier one day. The bad news is that until then, people will continue to die. The existing railing is only four feet high and easy to climb over. In 2005, a 75 year-old woman who was overweight did it no problem.

It’s also a bad news story in that the only option the bridge district board voted for, among five that were considered, is a steel net under the bridge. Public polls suggest that this option has the greatest support.

From afar, a net will impact aesthetics more than any other option. That’s not my worry, though.

Nets are the least effective form of suicide barrier. People can land in a net and still jump from it to their deaths. Nets also present risks to safety workers who are charged with pulling jumpers from them.

Higher, insurmountable railings eliminate these problems. In addition, higher railings would increase the bridge’s wind resistance, according to engineering studies. A net, in contrast, may worsen it.

My agency provides grief counseling to hundreds of families, some of whom are mourning a loved one’s jump. Viewed through their eyes, the Golden Gate Bridge is neither majestic nor beautiful. Instead, like any death scene, it evokes pain and misery.

That can’t change soon enough for me.

ASIST Trainers Conference

2008-09-26T12:40:00.002-04:00

If you have not yet registered for the ASIST Trainers Conference please do so as soon as you can. The slots are filling very quickly. You can register on line at www.theplanningcouncil.org/asist.htm

This conference will be a fun learning environment for all attending. If you are an ASIST X trainer and want to learn more about conducting an ASIST, join us!

Beacon of Hope Conference-October 16-17, 25

2008-09-15T10:44:00.003-04:00

Depression is treatable, Suicide is NOT.

October 16 & 17 at Regent University, Robertson Hall Library, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23468

October 16 FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Doors Open at 6:15 PM; Speaker/Panel 6:45 – 9:00 PM

•Suicide: Everything You Need To Know and Things You Can Do To Help Prevent It
Lanny Berman, Ph.D. – Executive Director, American Association of Suicidology

•Open Community Forum and Panel Discussion – Come and join us! Ask tough questions to a panel of leading educators, mental health professionals, community leaders, emergency responders and survivors.

October 17 ($75) Doors open at 7:30 AM
Speakers/Seminars 8:30 AM –3:30 PM

October 25 Beacon of Hope 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:00 AM and
($15 5-K Run/Walk) One-mile Fun Walk/Run starts at 9:45 AM
($10 Fun Walk/Run) at Fort Story, Virginia Beach, VA (Atlantic Avenue entrance)

To learn more & register online go to www.ineedalighthouse.org
...from Kathy Wakefield, I Need a Lighthouse

ASIST Trainers Conference-October

2008-09-12T13:28:00.002-04:00

The link is up to register for the ASIST Trainers Conference, October 20-22, 2008. If you are an ASIST X Trainer and are interested in rolling up your sleeves, polishing off your skills and having some fun, click the link to find out more about the conference and to register.

In order to keep this an interactive and intimate learning environment, we are limited to only 25 trainers this year. Please!!!! Register early!!http://www.theplanningcouncil.org/asist.htm

safeTALK, September 26th

2008-09-12T13:22:00.001-04:00

safeTALK
Learn to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources.
Date: Friday, September 26, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Woodbridge, VA 22192
Calvin Nunnally, the Suicide Prevention Manager for the Virginia Department of Health's Center for Injury and Violence Prevention, will engage participants in the safeTALK training. This training prepares you to be a suicide alert helper by following the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe).

Hear about how talking about suicide can increase suicide safety. Learn some great techniques that may help you save a life.

Registration is required for this training. Space and materials are limited. To register call Heather Martinsen-Hill at 703-792-7739 or email HMartinsen@pwcgov.org. Please give your name, organization, and a phone number where you can be reached.

CrisisLinks Volunteer Training Class Starts October 18th

2008-09-04T11:56:00.000-04:00

CrisisLink's Hotline Volunteer Training Class Begins Saturday, October 18! Are you looking for meaningful experience as a volunteer? CrisisLink's nationally recognized Volunteer Hotline Listener training program will begin its Fall Hotline Training Class on October 18. For more information and a detailed training schedule, please click here.

Medicare Changes

2008-09-04T11:51:00.001-04:00

Medicare Changes to Cover More Mental Health Services
Recent changes to Medicare will increase the amount of patient copayments that the program covers for mental health services. Over the next six years, the amount will increase so that it is the same as the rate for other medical outpatient services. For more information, visit: www.prevent.org or www.mentalhealthamerica.com.
...from SPRC: The Weekly Spark

National Suicide Prevention Week

2008-08-18T08:44:00.001-04:00

National Suicide Prevention Week is September 7-13 and World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. During Suicide Prevention Week, we are aware of events in at least eleven states. For a list of events SPAN USA is aware of, click here.
...from SPAN USA website

Publications available from SPRC for Statewide Conferences

2008-08-12T15:55:00.002-04:00

If you are holding a statewide conference in the coming months and would like quantities of any of these publications, please let us know. We currently have enough available that we can provide you with printed copies. We particularly recommend those titles that tie directly to content of your workshop. If you would like copies, please send an email to info@sprc.org with the full shipping information, dates and title of your conference, when the materials need to arrive, and quantities and titles desired. You may request up to 100 of any title. The descriptions below include a url so that you can see the pdf of the document, in case you have any questions about it.

After a suicide: Recommendations for religious services and other public memorial observances
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/aftersuicide.pdf
A guide to help community and faith leaders who plan memorial observances and provide support for individuals after the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Ask & you will receive: A fundraising guide for suicide prevention advocates Created by SPAN USA for SPRC
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/span_fundraising.pdf
A 14-page document that presents new ways to think about generating support for your program. Links to other resources are embedded throughout the document so that you can easily find the most relevant materials. This guide will help you think through your approach, select a strategy, and get started on a fundraising campaign.

Guide to engaging the media in suicide prevention Created by SPAN USA
for SPRC
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/media_guide.pdf
This 44-page guide teaches you how to serve as an effective media spokesperson and how to generate media coverage to create awareness of suicide prevention. The publication describes how to use television, radio, and print media and provides examples of press releases, media advisories, pitch letters, op-eds and more. It also gives tips for identifying appropriate media outlets, creating up-to-date media lists, and tracking your results.

NVDRS and suicide: How the National Violent Death Reporting System is being used to prevent suicide Created by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center for SPRC
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/UsingNVDRS_FactSheet.pdf
This fact sheet highlight ways in which National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data have been used for suicide prevention.

Promoting mental health and preventing suicide in college and university settings (College White Paper)
URL: http://www.sprc.org/library/college_sp_whitepaper.pdf
This white paper summarizes what is known about suicidal behavior among college students and recommends strategies to promote mental health and prevent suicide on campuses. The writing reflects the views of experts in the field of suicide prevention and proposes a blueprint for planning a comprehensive program.
...From Anara Guard, SPRC

Make it Matter Grants

2008-08-11T18:14:00.001-04:00

Make it Matter Grants
This funding program recognizes the power of the individual to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Every month the foundation will select an individual's story of good work, which will be featured in Reader's Digest magazine. Considering the subject of the selected story, the foundation will select an appropriate nonprofit organization and grant $100,000 to that nonprofit in honor of the person featured in the story.

...from SPRC: The Weekly Spark

3 Federal Agencies Call for Mental Health Services

2008-08-11T18:09:00.001-04:00

Three federal agencies call for more mental health services in primary care
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0807233954.aspxSAMHSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued the report "Reimbursement of Mental Health Services in Primary Care". Mental health service consumers, practitioners, providers, researchers and government officials identified seven barriers and made suggestions for action to address barriers to the reimbursement of mental health services in the primary care setting. The full report is available online at http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/ken/pdf/SMA08-4324/SMA08-4324.pdf. Additional information about billing for mental health services is available at http://hipaa.samhsa.gov/hipaacodes2.htm.
...from SPRC: The Weekly Spark

Campus Suicide Prevention Grants

2008-08-11T18:07:00.000-04:00

SAMHSA accepting applications for Campus Suicide Prevention Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 for Campus Suicide Prevention Grants. This program is designed to facilitate a comprehensive approach to prevent suicides and suicide attempts in colleges and universities and to enhance services for students with mental and behavioral health problems, such as depression and substance abuse, which can put them at risk for suicidal behavior. Applications are due November 25. For more information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2009/sm_09_001.aspx.
...from APRC: The Weekly Spark

Webconference: Understanding and Preventing Suicide

2008-08-04T16:34:00.003-04:00

Please join the Missouri Institute of Mental Health on Thursday, August
7 at 1:30 PM CDT (2:30 Eastern; 11:30 AM Pacific) for a free presentation with Elizabeth Makulec titled "Understanding and Preventing Suicide". This program may be viewed at www.MIMHTraining.com/webconferences .

This presentation will include a special 28 minute video presentation, "Understanding and Preventing Suicide", produced by The Glendon Association's Violence and Suicide Prevention Alliance. This powerful new film highlights the lives of three individuals, Kevin, Susan and Trish, who made serious suicide attempts and lived.

The video presentation will be followed by additional suicide prevention information and resources presented by Elizabeth Makulec, a certified facilitator of QPR and a LivingWorks certified trainer for both the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) and safeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) community education programs. Ms. Makulec serves on the Missouri Governor's Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee and is Project Coordinator for the Gateway Youth Suicide Prevention Resources Partnership, a multi-agency suicide prevention and education collaboration.
CEUs will be available for those interested. As of July 1, CEUs are only $10 per person.

If this will be your first time joining one of these presentations, you are encouraged to view a test video at your convenience. This may be seen at www.MIMHTraining.com/webconferences/category/testing-video/ .

Questions should be directed, not to SPRC, but to the web conference
organizers:
Virginia Weil, MSW
Project Manager
Missouri Institute of Mental Health
5400 Arsenal Street
St. Louis, MO 63139
Phone: 314-877-6479
Fax: 314-877-6477

...from the SPRC

VA gets 55,000 plus Suicide Calls

2008-07-31T13:41:00.000-04:00

VA gets 55,000 plus suicide calls [CBS News]
During its first year in operation, the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), has received calls from more than 55,000 people, including approximately 22,000 people who identified themselves as veterans. This article discusses the statistics gathered about hotline usage and highlights other steps the Department of Veterans Affairs is taking to reduce the suicide rate among veterans.
...from SPRC: The Weekly Spark

VA Tests Public Service Announcements

2008-07-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a three-month pilot program of a suicide prevention public service campaign in the Washington, DC area. The campaign, which will include bus and train advertisements and a television public service announcement, aims to increase awareness of suicide prevention and of the VA’s 24-hour suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-TALK.

...from SPRC: The Weekly Spark

Campus Mental Health Conference Postponned

2008-07-18T13:25:00.002-04:00

I regret to inform you that the conference on Campus Mental Health in the Commonwealth, planned for September 18-19 in Charlottesville, VA, has been cancelled. We hope to re-group and plan a modified version of this conference for the spring of 2009. We’ll be in touch with updates. We’re terribly disappointed and hope to have you with us on another occasion.

...from Jane Wiggins

Save the Date

2008-07-03T11:14:00.002-04:00

Save the date!!
2nd Annual BEACON OF HOPE 2008 3-Day CommUNITY event
Forum - Conference - October 16-17, 2008
Race/Walk - October 25, 2008
Regent University
Contact:Kathleen Wakefield
wakefield1@cox.net
Conference title:Lifesaving Tools
Registration and Details are available at:
www.INeedALighthouse.org

Jerry Reed: Leaves SPAN and goes to SPRC

2008-07-03T10:54:00.002-04:00

News about one of our notable suicide prevention leaders and fellow Virginian..

"Jerry Reed of SPAN USA to Lead Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) announces that Jerry Reed, Ph.D., MSW, former executive director of SPAN USA, will lead its policy and professional development activities in suicide prevention and will serve as Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). A dedicated geriatric and suicide prevention advocate, Dr. Reed joined SPAN USA in 2003 and has been a recognized leader in the national suicide prevention movement. Lloyd Potter, Ph.D., MPH, who has directed SPRC for the past five years, leaves to join the faculty of the University of Texas, San Antonio. Dr. Potter will be Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, which examines the determinants and consequences of demographic change."
..from the Weekly Spark, A Weekly Newsletter of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)

DCJS Virginia School & Campus Safety Training Forum

2008-07-03T10:51:00.002-04:00

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services' Virginia Center for School Safety is pleased to announce the 2008 Virginia School and Campus Safety Training Forum.

The 2008 Virginia School and Campus Safety Training Forum will follow the format of our annual School Safety Conference of previous years, but seeks to also include those involved with safety and security on Virginia's college and university campuses. We are anticipating more than 700 school and campus safety practitioners in attendance at this annual event.

The conference will be held August 5-6, 2008 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center located at 1610 Coliseum Drive in Hampton, Virginia. A lovely 295-suite John Q. Hammons Embassy Suites Hotel connects to the convention center by covered walkway. In addition to the Embassy Suites, there are several other hotels located within walking distance or a short drive from the convention center.

Keynote addresses will include:

* The Ultimate Backup: Saving Law Enforcement Families (Dr. James Reese)
* Lessons Learned from Virginia Tech: A Collaborative Approach to Prevention and Response
* The State of School Safety in Virginia (Dr. Peter Sheras)
* Breaking the Cycle: Violence Prevention in Schools and Communities
* The Adolescent Brain (Karen Williams)
* Overcoming the Risk Factors for Gang Involvement (Terry Thornberry)
* Voices: A Multi-Media Production on Underage Drinking and Teen Driving Safety
* Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Information Sharing and School and Campus Safety
....and much more. Information and Registration is available at:
http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/vcss/training/0708/schoolcampusforum.cfm

ASIST Training

2008-06-03T11:07:00.003-04:00

The Central Shenandoah Valley Youth Suicide Prevention Program will be sponsoring two “ASIST” (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) programs in the fall of 2008.

This training is widely used by people in a variety of front line positions. Our program focuses on youth suicide prevention, however helpers in all roles are welcome to attend.

The ASIST program will be offered on two occasions this fall; each training will accommodate 30 participants. The training fee is $75.00. All training materials will be provided and a light breakfast will be served each day.

Please register only if you are able to attend the entire two days. If you would like to participate in an ASIST, but are unable to fully attend on these dates, contact me and I will put you on our waiting list for the next scheduled training, which will be in early 2009.

Fall 2008 ASIST training dates are:
1. October 27-28, 2008 at the Educational Building at Augusta Medical Center.
2. Nov. 20-21, 2008 in Detwiler Auditorium at the Va.Mennonite Retirement Center

On-line registration is available at: http://www.preventsuicidecsv.org/events.php, however your registration will not be complete until your check is received.

Remember, trainings are limited to 30 participants each so please register soon.

...from Jane Wiggins, Program Director

NSPL Lifeline Gallery

2008-06-03T11:05:00.001-04:00

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Gallery: Stories of Hope and Recovery
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is set to launch the Lifeline Gallery: Stories of Hope and Recovery. The Gallery allows suicide survivors, attempt survivors, and advocates to share their stories online. Before the site is launched to the public, the Lifeline needs help from the suicide prevention community to populate the gallery and set the tone for a safe and useful site. Please visit the Lifeline Gallery and share your story as a suicide prevention advocate, worker, crisis center director, volunteer, attempt survivor, survivor, or supporter.

From The Weekly Spark

Happenings: Collateral Damage

2008-06-03T11:01:00.001-04:00

ACTS/Helpline and the Manassas City Police Department provided suicide prevention training for members of law enforcement entitled, “Collateral Damage: Suicide Prevention for Law Enforcement.” The training was held on April 24, 2008 at the George Mason satelite campus located in Manassas, Virginia. Over eighty law enforcement personnel, from several jurisdications, attended the one day event which included warnings sings of suicide, stress management, burn out, self care and accessing help when necessary.

Robert Douglas, the Executive Director of the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation participated as the guest speaker. Officer Lt. Meg Carroll of the Manassas City Police provided materials and helped organize the event.

Sent in by Vicki Graham.

ASIST Training-Newport News

2008-05-27T10:23:00.003-04:00

Hampton/Newport News Community Services Boards will be hosting an ASIST training August 13 and 14. There are a LIMITED number of open spots. Although ASIST training can cost up to 250.00 per person, there is no cost to participate in this training.

Linda Major and Mary Begor will be facilitating. Time is 9am-5pm. Lunch on your own. Address: 300 Medical Drive, Hampton Virginia 23666 Contact: Mary Begor 757-788-0012 or email Mary at MaryB@hnncsb.org.

ASIST stands for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This is an intensive two-day training devoted to development of suicide intervention, or suicide first aid, skills for all caregivers.

SPAN Briefing on Senior Suicide

2008-05-27T10:17:00.002-04:00

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA)in cooperation with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Representative Darlene Hooley (D-OR), and Representative Tim Murphy (R-PA) are briefing on:

Senior Suicide:
Understanding the Risk, Preventing the Tragedy

June 3, 2008
10:00am-11:00am
188 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Presenters:
•About Senior Suicide- Rates, Risk and Protective Factors, and Promising Studies
Yeates Conwell, MD, SPAN USA National Scientific Advisory Council and University of Rochester

•Creating and Implementing a Senior Suicide Prevention Plan
Mel Kohn, MD, Oregon Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology

•Turning Grief into Action, A Survivor of Suicide Story
Victoria Graham, Prince William County ACTS/Helpline

•Public Policy Opportunities to Reduce Senior Suicide
James K. Finley, National Association of Social Workers

From SPRC: Suicide Prevention in Rural Areas Webcast

2008-05-19T09:54:00.002-04:00

Those of you involved in suicide prevention in rural areas may find this upcoming webcast informative and relevant.

Please plan to join the Federal Interagency Rural Behavioral Health Workgroup in collaboration with the Technical Assistance Partnership and the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention in our upcoming Webinar entitled, Bridging the Gap in Rural Communities: Accessing Behavioral Health Services Through Telehealth.

Date: Friday, May 30, 2008

Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET (12:00–1:30p.m. CT, 11:00–12:30p.m. MT, 10:00–11:30a.m. PT, 7:00–8:30 a.m. Hawaii)

Children, youth, and families living in rural and frontier communities face significant disparities in access to quality behavioral health services. Presenters will share an innovative model for using telecommunications to reach children, youth, and families in rural Appalachia, Ohio, Kansas, and in other rural locations. Participants will learn about how technology is used for telepsychiatry, tele-psychotherapy, clinical supervision, case consultations, workforce development and management functions to enhance behavioral health services for children, youth, and their families. Challenges, opportunities, and considerations for the implementation of telehealth services will also be discussed. Telehealth processes hold great promise for rural and frontier communities working to improve access, acceptability, and availability of behavioral health services and supports. We want this event to be as interactive as possible, so please bring all your examples, considerations, and questions!

Presenters:
Steve Trout, Executive Director, Southern Consortium for Children, Athens, Ohio
Eve-Lynn Nelson, Assistant Director of the Kansas University Center for Telemedicine & Telehealth

Facilitator:
Joyce Sebian, Senior Policy Associate, National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at Georgetown University and coordinator for SAMHSA National Rural Behavioral Health
Viewing Requirements:

Joining this event is easy and free! All you need is access to a phone and an internet connection.
Registration
Register today at: https://tapartnership.on.intercall.com/confmgr/event_register.jsp?eventId=65644
PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 24 HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT

If you are a first-time registrant, we recommend that you use the following guidelines for creating a username and password:

Username: firstname.lastname. For example, John Smith's username would be john.smith
Password: lastname.yearofbirth. For example, if Jane Smith were born in 1960, her password would be smith1960

Questions:
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Tiara Etheridge by e-mail at tetheridge@air.org or by phone at (202) 403-5932. You can also take a look at “TA Partnership Webinar Frequently-Asked Questions” located online at http://www.tapartnership.org/learning_opp/webinars_howto.asp .

"Community Action: What YOU can do to Stop Bullying Now!" webcast online

2008-05-19T09:46:00.000-04:00

This webcast conducted on April 16, 2008, featured examples of state- and community-level campaigns that use Stop Bullying Now! (SBN!) resources.
Presenters, Captain Stephanie Bryn from HRSA and Dr. Susan Limber from the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, outlined how communities can put the resources to work locally.

The webcast also included a brief overview of the entire SBN! campaign <http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp> and its resources. To view the archived webcast, visit http://www.mchcom.com/archivedWebcastDetailNewInterface.asp?aeid=447.

The campaign resources are available for MCH agencies to distribute at no cost. To receive free SBN! DVD toolkits, activities guides, or other resources, contact Katie Reardon at Katie.reardon@widmeyer.com

Update: Fairfax County Renews Contract with CrisisLink

2008-05-14T11:18:00.001-04:00

On April 28, 2008, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the County's FY09 budget, including $135,000 to help fund CrisisLink's 24/7 Crisis Hotlines . Fairfax County joins Arlington County and the City of Alexandria in continuing support so residents in crisis have somewhere to turn. Since 1969, thousands of highly trained, CrisisLink volunteers and staff have answered more than half a million crisis calls and responded to 25,000+ potential suicides.

"The strong, historical partnership between local governments--including Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria--and CrisisLink has saved precious lives and prevented tragedies every day year after year, and this partnership continues to provide our region's residents with a place to turn in their darkest hours, We are truly grateful to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, Arlington County Board, and Alexandria City Council for their support of the vital life-saving services CrisisLink provides to residents. " says CrisisLink Executive Director Carol Loftur-Thun.

"Last year, CrisisLink answered 27,532 calls from people in crisis," says Margaret Mathis, CrisisLink's Director of Hotline Services and Training. "Local jurisdictions' support is essential because they provide 50% of the funding for our 24/7 Crisis Hotlines, but our community's businesses, foundations and individuals have increasingly stepped up to support our services. With call volume up 78%--and youth calls up 227%--since FY04, we need more volunteers and funding than ever to meet the need, and we're truly grateful for our community's strong support."

FACT Conference on Prevention Family Violence

2008-05-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

The Virginia Family and Children’s Trust Fund (FACT)
Conference on Community Collaboration In Preventing Family Violence

Date: Wednesday June 25, 2008
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: Richmond Convention Center
403 North 3rd Street-Richmond
Cost: $45 Registration online at http://fact.state.va.us/

The Agenda

8:30-9:30 Registration and Networking Building Breakfast with FACT Board Members

9:30-10:45 Breakout Sessions. Topics include: The Use and Regulations of Nonprofit Organizations in Virginia, Panel Discussion on Developing Funding Streams for all Size Organizations, Virginia Department of Health’s Stop It Now Initiative, Developing and Using Community Collaborations to Launch your Programs.

11:00-12:15 Breakout Sessions. Topics include: Board Development and Capacity Building, Building and Refining Effective Program Evaluations, Are Special Events Really Worth the Effort?, Family & Children’s Trust Fund and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Social Indicators Collaborative Project.

12:30-2:00 Community Collaboration and Volunteer Awards Luncheon. Keynote by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn B. Tavenner (Invited)

2:15-3:30 Breakout Sessions. Topics include: Preparing your Organization for Generational Changes and Succession Planning, Developing Hispanic Services that Address Family Violence, Family & Children’s Trust Fund Grant Writing Workshop, Creating and Sustaining Successful Public-Private Collaborations

LOW Cost Training for Your State or Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition

2008-05-12T17:40:00.000-04:00

Several low cost sessions are available to be completed by September 2008.
Potential costs – fees to secure your local training site, printing of materials, meals/snacks.

What is this training?
Strategic Planning for Suicide Prevention: Core Competencies (SPSP) was developed by the American Association of Suicidology in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. SPRC is now partnering with the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) to disseminate the course.

Overall Goal
Participants will enhance their leadership and collaboration skills, and in line with The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, be able to collect and present suicide-related data and information; implement suicide prevention programs in their communities; and determine the effectiveness of programs they implement. Participants also will increase their comfort and ability to communicate effectively about suicide and suicide prevention.

Eight Training Modules to Choose From
• Module 1: Scope of the Problem – Definitions and Data
• Module 2: Taking a Public Health Approach to Prevention
• Module 3: Data and Decision-making
• Module 4: Doing What Works
• Module 5: Creating a Logic Model and a Framework for Evaluation
• Module 6: Action Planning
• Module 7: Working Together and Building Partnerships
• Module 8: Building and Maintaining a Coalition

How do I get training in my state/region?
• Visit www.spanusa.org/spsp
• Complete the training questionnaire
• Then SPAN USA or SPRC will follow-up with you to set training dates

Juvenile Justice Conference

2008-05-09T10:46:00.001-04:00

Making a Difference in Juvenile Justice
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice

Make plans now to attend this year's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Conference at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, June 19-20, 2008. Instead of focusing on cutting edge trends in juvenile justice research and practices, as we have in the past, this year's conference will provide in-depth training on every day challenges for those who work with youth.

Topics for this year's conference include:
Working with Highly Resistant Youth: Dr. Clifton Mitchell will provide attendees with strategies to manage today's population of youth who are resistant to behavioral intervention.

Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) in Virginia: This training on a national initiative with local success demonstrates how you can use existing resources to bring winning strategies to your community.

Ruby Payne's Bridges out of Poverty: Officer Darryl Hunter will provide a basic understanding of the nature of poverty to include some hidden rules and generational stories to help attendees deal with kids exhibiting risky behaviors due to their situational poverty.

Mental Health in the Juvenile Justice System: A national look at resources available for use in your communities that foster collaborative approaches to decriminalizing children in need of mental health services.

Attendees requiring overnight lodging should contact the Embassy Suites directly at (757) 827-8200 or (800) EMBASSY to make lodging arrangements.
Lodging arrangements may also be made online at www.hamptonroadsconventioncenter.embassysuites.com
Please mention or enter Group Code JJD to receive the conference rate of $75.00, plus tax. Reservations must be made by May 30, 2008.

Conference registration is $25 per day. A late fee of $15.00 will be charged for those payments not received before the conference.

For more information please contact Ashaki McNeil, DCJS, Program Analyst at
(804) 225-4329 or ashaki.mcneil@dcjs.virginia.gov or visit our website at www.dcjs.virginia.gov.

NASMHPD releases report highlighting vital role of crisis hotlines

2008-05-09T10:41:00.002-04:00

Last week, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) released a new technical report entitled Suicide Prevention Efforts for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness: Roles for the State Mental Health Authority. This report, which was a collaborative effort between NASMHPD’s Medical Directors Council and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), highlights the important role that crisis hotlines can play in preventing suicide and specifically recommends that public mental health systems support and collaborate with crisis hotlines.

The public mental health system should support and collaborate with crisis hotlines to ensure individuals at risk for suicide, including those who have made a suicide attempt, can readily access high quality crisis support services.

The emphasis given to the important work of hotlines would not have been possible without the strong partnership shared between the Lifeline and NASMHPD. The workgroup meeting for this groundbreaking report, which took place in January 2007, included several Lifeline representatives, including members from the Lifeline’s Steering Committee and two subcommittees. Additionally, NASMPHD and SPRC allowed Lifeline’s Project Director, Dr. John Draper, to present before the workgroup on the vital role that crisis centers play in saving lives. As a result, the report includes a description of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as well as a discussion of the SAMHSA-sponsored hotline evaluation studies published in the June 2007 issue of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior.

CDC Releases Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System

2008-04-11T13:41:00.002-04:00

An estimated 50,000 persons die annually in the United States as a result of violence-related injuries - approximately 137 people each day. Most communities lack the information they need to understand and ultimately prevent these deaths. Responding to this need, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in 2002. NVDRS provides a comprehensive picture of violent death because it combines information from toxicology reports, crime reports, medical/coroners reports, death certificates, and other reports related to each death. By taking the once fragmented pieces of information and connecting them, NVDRS helps researchers and public health practitioners see more about the circumstances surrounding the violent deaths.

CDC is pleased to present the first detailed summary of data concerning violent deaths from 16 states collected by NVDRS in the April 11, 2008 edition of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries (MMWR). The report, "Surveillance for Violent Deaths - National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005," summarizes data on nearly 16,000 violent deaths occurring in 16 states in CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) for 2005. The report examines several types of violent death, including incidents with multiple victims; provides up to date information on the demographic characteristics of violent deaths; and describes precipitating factors for violent deaths such as intimate partner violence and relationship problems, mental health problems, and drug or alcohol use at the time of death.

Findings show the majority of violent deaths included in the report were suicides (56percent); followed by homicides and deaths involving legal interventions (30 percent); violent deaths of undetermined intent (13 percent); and unintentional firearm deaths (0.7 percent). Other key findings in the report include:

* Approximately one third of homicides were precipitated by another crime.

* In 79 percent of these cases, the crime was in progress at the time of the incident.

* The crime was most often a robbery (40 percent), followed by assault(16 percent) or activity related to the drug trade (10 percent).

* Nearly 46 percent of suicide victims were described as experiencing a depressed mood. Almost as many were diagnosed with mental health problems (42 percent), yet only 33 percent of all suicide victims were known to be receiving mental health treatment at the time of death.

* Suicides by former and current military personnel comprised 20 percent of all suicides.

* Among military personnel suicides, 38 percent of decedents had a physical health problem that was believed to have contributed to the suicide-nearly twice as many as non-military personnel.

* Two hundred violent incidents involved a homicide followed by the suicide of the suspect.

* Seventy-five percent of victims were female, whereas 90 percent of suspects (suicide decedents) were male.

* Relationship problems or intimate partner violence (IPV) were precipitating factors for many forms of violence.

* Nineteen percent of all homicides were precipitated by IPV.

* Fifty-two percent of all female homicides were precipitated by IPV compared with nine percent of all male homicides.

* Thirty-two percent of all suicides were precipitated by a problem with an intimate partner.

* Alcohol intoxication was involved in many violent deaths: of the victims tested for alcohol (76 percent), nearly 60 percent were above the legal limit of 0.08 BAC at the time of death.

Information in this report provides some important clues to focus prevention
efforts:

* Relationship problems or intimate partner conflict were precipitating factors for many forms of violence. Programs designed to enhance social problem-solving and coping skills, and skills dealing with stressful life events have potential to reduce violence.

* Prevention programs and efforts aimed at addressing mental health problems may reduce some of the precipitating factors for violence.

* Programs and efforts to increase education and outreach about warning signs for violence are very important for prevention.

For more information on this report and NVDRS please visit www.cdc.gov/injury . You can also view an electronic copy of this document at (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5703a1.htm

Meeting Minutes

2008-03-28T11:28:00.002-04:00

The minutes from the last VSPC meeting are avaialbe. If you would like a copy, please email Christy at cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org.

Priorities for the Coalition were set. They are:
• Solidify Membership
o Applications
o Identify who we are currently missing and invite them to participate
• Reconnect with DMHMRSAS.
• Raise awareness of the Virginia Suicide Prevention Coalition. This is a group effort! Mention the blog whenever you can, include it on resource materials, etc.

Urgent Request From CrisisLink

2008-03-27T15:56:00.000-04:00

Fairfax Funding for Crisis Hotlines At-Risk: Come Show Your Support April 2nd

Join us to show your support for continued funding of CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines.

We urgently need community members and supporters to turn out on April 2nd to show support for continued Fairfax County funding for CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines:
• WHEN: Wednesday, April 2
• WHAT: Fairfax Board of Supervisors Public Hearing FY09 Budget
• TIME: Begins @ 7:00 pm, CrisisLink is speaker #37 so please be there by 8:00 pm
• WHERE: Fairfax County Government Center
• Directions: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/maps/locatMap.htm

Your action is essential to ensuring that CrisisLink can keep our Crisis Hotlines going 24/7/365-so please bring your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues too!

The Fairfax County-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) has proposed eliminating all funding for CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines in FY09. Fairfax-Falls Church CSB funding represents approximately 25% of CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines budget.

Thank you to the 63 supporters who showed up at the Fairfax Human Services Council meeting on March 10th--the Council was very impressed by this turnout, but we need an even bigger turnout this time!

April 2nd is your major chance to show support for Fairfax funding of CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines in FY09.

The need for CrisisLink's Crisis Hotlines is greater than ever before:
• Last year, CrisisLink took over 7,600 calls from Fairfax callers, up 40% from just the year before.
• In 2006, suicides outnumbered homicides by 5:1 in Fairfax County
• Based on a national study, if CrisisLink prevented only 10% of Fairfax callers calling about suicide from attempting suicide in FY07, we saved Fairfax County over $1,078,000 in 9-1-1, police, emergency services, emergency room and treatment costs in that year alone.

Half of Us

2008-03-13T14:21:00.000-04:00

The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on preventing suicide among college students, and mtvU, MTV's college network, have dedicating March programming to college students' mental health. A component of the "Half of Us" campaign, the programming will focus on the toll that stress and other emotional issues are having on the national college audience and provide additional online resources and information about where to get help on campus. Learn more about this campaign and current programming at mtvU’s “Half of Us” website.

Stop Bullying Web-cast

2008-03-13T14:14:00.000-04:00

Stop Bullying Now! Web cast
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EDT

Community Action: What YOU can do to Stop Bullying Now!
Hosted by HRSA and MCHCOM.com

The Stop Bullying Now! Web cast will feature "spotlight examples" of state- and community-level campaigns that use the Stop Bullying Now! resources, and will outline how YOU can put the resources to work locally. The web cast will also include a brief overview of the entire Stop Bullying Now! Campaign and its resources.

Presenters will include: CAPT Stephanie Bryn, MPH - U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration. Dr. Susan Limber - Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life Clemson University

Spotlight on school, community and state developed programming.

To register online, go to
http://www.mchcom.com/liveWebcastDetail.asp?leid=329

Mental Health Parity Passes U.S. House

2008-03-05T22:14:00.001-05:00

On March 5, 2008, the United States House of Representatives passed The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424). The final vote was 268-148.

The U.S. Senate passed its version of mental health parity legislation (S. 558) on September 18, 2007. The House and Senate will now need to reach consensus on differences between the two bills so that the same bill can be re-passed by the House and Senate and sent to President George W. Bush. SPAN USA hopes that the differences can be worked out quickly so that millions of Americans will see equity between mental health and addiction recovery services and those for physical health services.

SPAN USA appreciates all of the hard work Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) as well as the House leadership provided to obtain passage of federal mental health parity legislation in the U.S. House. Finally, SPAN USA thanks all of its grassroots advocates who sent emails seeking cosponsorship of the bill and who called their representatives asking them to vote for it. Advocacy in Action works!

More information can be found on the SPAN website.

Veteran's in Virginia

2008-03-05T17:53:00.003-05:00

Va. Braces for veterans' needs, Washington Post, Mar. 1, 2008
Officials in Virginia are grappling with how to meet the mental health needs of the state’s returning veterans that choose to access community services instead of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services. The article cites many reasons for veterans not utilizing VA services, including lack of proximity of VA centers, possible stigma from other service members, and long waiting lists for services. More information can be found at the SPRC website.

LGBT Issues: Free Training Teleconference

2008-03-05T17:49:00.001-05:00

This just in from SPRC's Spark: Registration is now open for a free teleconference training entitled “Reducing Stigma and Discrimination among People who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)".This teleconference, presented by SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated With Mental Illness (ADS Center), is planned for Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 2:00–3:30p.m. ET. To read more about this event and link to the registration page, visit ADS Center. Note: Registration for this teleconference will close at 5:00p.m. on Monday, March 10.

Coalition Meeting

2008-02-20T13:26:00.007-05:00

Make it a priority!!! March 3rd will be our first Virginia Suicide Prevention Council (now Coalition) meeting in a long while. First the particulars:

Where: Sheraton Park South. You can click the link to get directions or other needed hotel information.
Who: Anyone interested in the suicide prevention & intervention. You do NOT have to be an "official" member of the Coalition. All stakeholders in suicide prevention are welcome. Come ready to work!
When: 10:00am to 3:00pm
What: The agenda is still in flux... YOUR input is desired. Please forward any ideas, needs, what if's to me by February 29th.

Please RSVP!! I need to give the hotel a head count.

Why make time for this??? It is incredibly difficult to eek out time to participate in yet ANOTHER meeting. The VASPC has quietly toiled away for several years. You deserve some recognition! You deserve to see the fruits of hard work! You deserve LUNCH! We need your time, talent and passion to continue moving forward.

What I need from each of you...

If you know of someone who has done tremendous work in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Education, please send me an email so that they might be recognized for their work at the Coalition meeting.

Would you send me any training numbers, information about the kinds of trainings you are doing, groups trained, etc so that we can compile this information into a report. I am not going to be so brave as to promise it for the Coalition meeting, but it could happen. At least we could have a rough draft-a general gist, something. You can send it to me by February 29th. This would be an incredible document to have for our state representatives and for future federal funding opportunities.

I'd like to create a roster of VASPC participants. Will you send me your contact information also? I would like to be able to distribute this as a resource to other Coaltion members. You can send it to me by February 29th.

Even if you cannot attend the meeting, please forward any information you have about your work (or your organizations work) that we might compile into our report. You can send it to me. If you can't be there send us your good thoughts, energy and vibes. You will be missed!

Please send all of this informaiton by February 29th to cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org. (That includes the RSVP.) I will be out of town a bunch between now and the 3rd; but, I will make every effort to compile everything for the 3rd.

Spread the word. We don't have nearly enough people on our email flash list. Get the word out about the Coalition and about the meeting.

Hope to see you all in a mere two weeks.

Olweus Certification Training

2008-02-20T13:18:00.005-05:00

You (or a member of your staff) are invited to submit an application to take part in training for certification as a trainer in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The training will take place June 17-19, 2008 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The purpose of the training is to expand our cadre of well-trained individuals in Virginia who are certified to provide training and follow-up consultation to Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committees at elementary, intermediate, middle, and/or junior high schools that desire to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. A description of the certification process and requirements for certification is attached.

If you are interested in taking part in this training for certification, we invite you to complete the attached application form. The deadline for returned applications is April 20, 2008. Although we hope to accommodate all interested individuals, we are committed to ensuring that the training is as interactive as possible and therefore will limit the number of participants.
A selection process will take into account such factors as the experience of the individuals seeking training, the expressed need for certified trainers in localities and within school divisions and the familiarity of applicants with the model. Virginia applicants will receive priority. Applicants will be notified of their participation in the TOT by May 10, 2008. The training will be provided by a team of experienced trainers including Jane Riese and Katie Moffett.

The cost of the certification training and the follow-up consultation is $3,900. This fee will include:

A three-day initial training (June 17-19, 2008)
A training notebook, including a CD-ROM containing PowerPoint slides and electronic versions of handouts needed for trainings A copy of all required and recommended Olweus Bullying Prevention Program materials Ongoing telephone consultation (approximately 15 hours total) with an Expert Trainer over a 24 month period A two-day booster training (date to be determined at the initial training)

If you have any questions about this invitation or any of the conditions described in this mailing, please do not hesitate to contact Katie Moffett at the Center for School-Community-Collaboration at 804-827-2622 or email cfmoffett@vcu.edu. For information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, we encourage you to visit the website for the program at www.clemson.edu/olweus.
Please feel free to share this information with appropriate colleagues.

Thank you for your interest in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. We hope that you will consider submitting an application!

GOSAP Grant Program

2008-02-15T09:43:00.000-05:00

The Governor's Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (GOSAP) is pleased to announce the 2008-2009 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act
(SDFSCA) Grant Program. The Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining the program components and specifics is now available at http://www.gosap.virginia.gov/SDFSCA/announcement2008-2009.htm . GOSAP SDFSCA grant programs are intended to supplement the SDFSCA funds that flow directly from the Virginia Department of Education to every local school division for substance abuse and violence prevention programming. In addition, community needs assessments regarding youth substance abuse and violence may also seek GOSAP SDFSCA funds.

Organizations who intend to submit a proposal for this funding are required to have a representative attend one of the three RFP Workshops. Workshops are being held in Newport News on February 29, 2008, in Wytheville on March 5, 2008, and in Stafford County on March 7, 2008. Please see the web site (see above) for specifics regarding the workshops.

If you are not able to reach the web site, or still have questions after reading the RFP and information, please contact Joy Rogers-Murphy at the VCU Center for School-Community Collaboration at (804) 828-1482 or rodgersmurlj@vcu.edu.

Virginia Data

2008-02-12T12:19:00.000-05:00

As you are aware, injuries are a leading public health problem in Virginia. In 2006, there were 4,004 injury related deaths and 38,635 injury related hospitalizations. The Division of Injury and Violence Prevention, Virginia Department of Health just released Injury in Virginia, 2006, an in-depth analysis of injury-related inpatient hospitalization discharges and deaths in Virginia for the calendar year 2006. There are two new additions to the Injury in Virginia, 2006 report this year:

1. A Virginia Injury Review, which examines hospitalization and death related injuries in Virginia over the last five years (2002-2006)

2. The inclusion of 2006 hospitalization and death injury data for each of Virginia’s 35 Health Districts

The Injury in Virginia 2006 report and other injury related reports can be found on the web at http://www.vahealth.org/civp/datacivp.asp. If you have any questions or need additional data please contact me by phone at 804-864-7745 or by email at christina.sloan@vdh.virginia.gov.

Men Get Depression

2008-02-12T12:17:00.000-05:00

Beginning in May, 2008, PBS Stations will air a documentary titled "Men Get Depression." This is part of a larger initiative on men and depression that can be found at http://www.mengetdepression.com. The web site looks very interesting.

Job Openings at SPAN

2008-02-06T13:32:00.001-05:00

Development Director
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) seeks energetic self starter with passion for mental health and suicide prevention to build donor base, plan and manage annual giving campaign, cultivate major donors, organize annual fundraiser and develop grant/foundation portfolio.

Bachelor's degree, excellent communication skills, 5-7 years experience in development at a non-profit or philanthropic organization, proficiency in MS Word and basic knowledge of spreadsheet and database software required. Click here for more details. Send resume with cover letter and salary history to info@spanusa.org.

Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) seeks energetic self starter to manage day-to-day office administrative operation of small organization with focus on mental health and suicide prevention. The part-time position is 32 hours per week in eight-hour days, but alternate arrangements will be considered. Casual atmosphere and excellent opportunity to support the contribution of a nonprofit!

Three to five years administrative experience, including two years bookkeeping and/or accounting, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in MS Office and database applications including Access. Knowledge of QuickBooks is required and experience with web content management is preferred. Click here for more details. Send resume with cover letter to info@spanusa.org.

2005 Mortality Data Available

2008-02-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

WISQARS Updated with 2005 Mortality Data

CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) has now been updated with 2005 mortality data from NCHS' National Vital Statistics System. To access this data online, visit the WISQARS website.

For a summary of the latest national suicide data, prepared by Dr. John McIntosh, visit the American Association of Suicidology’s website.

CISM Training-Tidewater

2008-01-28T17:28:00.000-05:00

March 1st-2nd. Critical Incident Stress Management Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support Course. Sponsored by the Tidewater Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Tidewater EMS Council, Inc.

March 1 & 2, 2008 0830-1630
Must attend both days to receive credit

Cost:
$50.00 for CISM Members / $125.00 for Non Members

Checks at the door or call the office to pay by credit card 757-963-0632. NO CASH will be accepted at the door. Cost includes ICISF Certificate and Book. Coffee and light refreshments provided. Lunch is on your own. TEMS has a refrigerator and microwave on campus.

Registration
Please register by Friday February 22, 2008. Contact Heidi Gamblin by email if you have any questions at hilchey@vaems.org or phone 757-963-0632 x317.

When registering, please state your team affiliation.

Legislative Institute

2008-01-25T12:38:00.000-05:00

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) advocates will be engaging in training on February 26th and going to Capitol Hill on February 27th and asking their members of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 4897 and its Senate companion (S. 1854). To join other suicide prevention advocates for these meetings, along with a Hill luncheon, tour of the Capitol and to view a display of Lifekeeper Memory Quilts on Capitol Hill, register for the Legislative Institute. Participants in this year's Legislative Institute will also have the opportunity to join our annual Friend for Life reception. Invited guests include Senator Gordon Smith, Senator Tom Harkin, Representative Leonard Boswell, and Representative Jim Ramstad. Also Award Winning Actress Marcia Gay Harden has been invited to join us after her prominent roles in the movies Canvas and Rails & Ties. You may know her from other films such as Mona Lisa Smile, Mystic River, Meet Joe Black or Space Cowboys. The regular registration deadline is January 31, so sign-up now! For more information and to register, please visit: www.spanusa.org/2008event

University of Rochester Spring Training Institute

2008-01-24T17:12:00.000-05:00

The University of Rochester is excited to announce its Second Annual Training Institute, Promoting Mental Health through Community Collaborations in Research. This Spring Research Institute on Community-Partnered Suicide Prevention Research is designed for academic-community partners who seek to deepen their experience in collaborative suicide prevention research public health and preventative approaches to decreasing suicide and related behaviors.

Applicants must apply as a team of at least two (one researcher and a lead community member). These partners must have a demonstrable commitment to work together fully and equitably in leading research on mental health issues (e.g., exposure to violence, substance abuse and others).

Applicants must provide at least one letter of support for each team member written by a director, dean, or department chair and a jointly authored three-page statement of collaborative research intent in concept paper form. This paper must include research aims, research focus, study design, information about the study population, expertise of the research team, location, and expected public health and policy relevance.

The full application packet is due by February 22, 2008 and applicants will be notified of the decision by March 8, 2008.

Details about the conference are posted on our website, http://www.rochesterpreventsuicide.org/SpringResearchInstitute.html.

We hope to see you in Rochester in April, 2008!

Coalition Meeting

2008-01-17T10:48:00.001-05:00

Please mark March 3, 2008 on your calendars! The Virginia Suicide Prevention Coalition is going to meet. We are tenatively scheduled to meet in Richmond. The specific time and location will be announced as the date gets closer.

On the Agenda so far:
Regional updates from those attending on suicide prevention efforts and training
Discussion of Garrett Lee Smith projects currently underway in Virginia
A State update
A presentation on NVDRS
Next steps?

Student Assistance Programming (SAP) Training

2008-01-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

Announcing - Five regional Student Assistance Programming (SAP) two-day
trainings, which are being offered, free of charge, by the Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Project Treat (Training and Resource for Effective Adolescent Treatment). Project Treat is a grant initiative funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

SAP is a comprehensive K-12 approach to prevent and to address violence, substance use and mental health issues that interfere with student learning. It is a systematic process for school-based teams to work collaboratively with community resources to prevent or minimize these barriers. SAP is data-driven and utilizes existing school and community resources to address issues impacting school climate and individual students.

The trainings are designed for a school division or a school to send a team of five individuals. The team should include education and community counseling agency staff and a parent. A principal, a division level staff person or a school board member should be one of the education representatives on the team. Each training session is limited to twelve teams.

February 19 & 20, Williamsburg
February 21 & 22, Richmond
March 4 & 5, Harrisonburg
April 10 & 11, Abingdon
April 15 & 16, Caroline County

Teams will be accepted according to the date the registrations are received.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Lodging and travel expenses will be the responsibility of the participants. Expenses may be paid from federal funding already available to the school division under the Safe and Drug-Free schools program.

To register, click on the following link:
http://www.eventbrite.com/org/47449840?s=886192

If the training is full, you are having trouble registering or you need to cancel, please contact Nancy Campbell, administrative assistant (VDOE), at (804)225-2910 or nancy.campbell@doe.virginia.gov. For any other additional information, contact Jo Ann Burkholder, specialist for safe and drug-free schools program (VDOE), at 804-371-7586 or joann.burkholder@doe.virginia.gov.

Upcoming CrisisLink Events

2008-01-14T10:35:00.000-05:00

CrisisLink is also hosting several other events. Mark your calendars for:

March 8 - Spring Fashion Show Benefiting CrisisLink
April 12 - LinkUp & Listen, CrisisLink's 4th Annual Gala Event

You can get more information on both of these fun events at www.crisislink.org.

CrisisLink Volunteer Training-Arlington

2008-01-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

New Hotline Volunteer Listeners Needed. Classes begin Feb. 2! Attend one of our upcoming information sessions in Arlington to learn more about the opportunity.

Monday, January 14

Wednesday, January 23

Call Lindsay Paulette-Chapman at 703-527-6016 for details or to RSVP

ASIST Training

2008-01-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

Jane Wiggins has two ASISTS scheduled for Thursday/Friday Feb. 21-22 and May 8-9, 2008. If you are in the Harrisonburg VA area and would like to take advantage of this oppotunity, please contact:

Jane R. Wiggins
Program Director
Central Shenandoah Valley
Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative
wigginjr@jmu.edu
Work: (540) 568-8901
Fax: (540) 568-6409
www.preventsuicidecsv.org