Lifekeepers Quilt

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

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.