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 clinician 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 5 RRSR trainings in 2012. This training is for all mental health clinicians, regardless of your place of work. Some of you may be familiar with another suicide prevention training offered, ASIST. Please refer to the attached document for an explanation as to who should attend an ASIST training and who should attend an RRSR training.
Through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) this training will be offered at no cost to 50 participants; the training is typically valued at $250 a participant. All training materials will be provided.
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.
2012 Training Dates, Locations, and Registration:
April 3-4, 2012
Richmond, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRRichmondApril2012
May 16-17, 2012
Middletown, VA (Winchester area)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRMiddletown2012
June 19-20, 2012
Fredericksburg, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRFredericksburg2012
July 24-25, 2012
Roanoke, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRRoanoke2012
October 10-11, 2012
Richmond, VA
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRSRRichmondOct2012
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov. Please feel free to share this training announcement with your colleagues.
We look forward to seeing you at one of the trainings!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Veterans Crisis Line introduces Text Messaging
WASHINGTON, Feb 15, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its efforts to prevent suicide through several new initiatives that increase the availability of services for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.
The new initiatives include a new, free, confidential text-messaging service in the existing Veterans Crisis Line, introduction of toll-free access from Europe, and collaboration with Vets Prevail and Vets4Warriors, two groups providing crisis help to Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.
"Offering text messaging services will help VA reach more Veterans and their friends and families," said Dr. Janet Kemp, VA's national mental health director for suicide prevention. "We are working to meet their needs by communicating through multiple channels -- over the phone, through online chat, and now via text, which provides quick, easy access to support. VA wants all Veterans to know that confidential support is only a text message away."
Since its founding July 2007, VA's Veterans Crisis Line and the later Chat Service have received 500,000 calls and engaged in 31,000 chats resulting in over 18,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.
Now, in addition to the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1) and online chat ( www.VeteransCrisisLine.net ), Veterans and Servicemembers in crisis--and their friends and families--may text free of charge to 83-8255 to receive confidential, personal and immediate support. The text service is available, like the Veterans Crisis Line and online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and connects a user with a specially trained VA professional -- many who are Veterans themselves.
As a part of the effort to extend VA's reach, Veterans and members of the military community in Europe may now receive free, confidential support from the European Military Crisis Line, a new initiative recently launched by VA. Callers in Europe may dial 0800-1273-8255 or DSN 118 to receive confidential support from responders at the Veterans Crisis Line in the U.S.
VA's Veterans Crisis Line continues to add external resources to provide Veterans with additional support. Two of these organizations include Vets Prevail ( www.VetsPrevail.org ) and Vets4Warriors ( www.Vets4Warriors.com ).
In December, Vets Prevail launched a chat service that connects Veterans to caring responders who provide information on a wide variety of resources. If the Veteran is in crisis or needs mental health support, the conversation is then seamlessly transferred to a VA Veterans Crisis Line responder.
Vets4Warriors has helped thousands of their peers connect with confidential assistance through a free hotline (1-855-838-8255/1-855-VET-TALK) and online chat ( www.Vets4Warriors.com ). If a Veteran is in need of professional crisis or mental health support, Vets4Warriors' responders will transfer the Veteran to a responder at the Veterans Crisis Line.
For more information about VA's suicide prevention program, visit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/
The new initiatives include a new, free, confidential text-messaging service in the existing Veterans Crisis Line, introduction of toll-free access from Europe, and collaboration with Vets Prevail and Vets4Warriors, two groups providing crisis help to Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.
"Offering text messaging services will help VA reach more Veterans and their friends and families," said Dr. Janet Kemp, VA's national mental health director for suicide prevention. "We are working to meet their needs by communicating through multiple channels -- over the phone, through online chat, and now via text, which provides quick, easy access to support. VA wants all Veterans to know that confidential support is only a text message away."
Since its founding July 2007, VA's Veterans Crisis Line and the later Chat Service have received 500,000 calls and engaged in 31,000 chats resulting in over 18,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.
Now, in addition to the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1) and online chat ( www.VeteransCrisisLine.net ), Veterans and Servicemembers in crisis--and their friends and families--may text free of charge to 83-8255 to receive confidential, personal and immediate support. The text service is available, like the Veterans Crisis Line and online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and connects a user with a specially trained VA professional -- many who are Veterans themselves.
As a part of the effort to extend VA's reach, Veterans and members of the military community in Europe may now receive free, confidential support from the European Military Crisis Line, a new initiative recently launched by VA. Callers in Europe may dial 0800-1273-8255 or DSN 118 to receive confidential support from responders at the Veterans Crisis Line in the U.S.
VA's Veterans Crisis Line continues to add external resources to provide Veterans with additional support. Two of these organizations include Vets Prevail ( www.VetsPrevail.org ) and Vets4Warriors ( www.Vets4Warriors.com ).
In December, Vets Prevail launched a chat service that connects Veterans to caring responders who provide information on a wide variety of resources. If the Veteran is in crisis or needs mental health support, the conversation is then seamlessly transferred to a VA Veterans Crisis Line responder.
Vets4Warriors has helped thousands of their peers connect with confidential assistance through a free hotline (1-855-838-8255/1-855-VET-TALK) and online chat ( www.Vets4Warriors.com ). If a Veteran is in need of professional crisis or mental health support, Vets4Warriors' responders will transfer the Veteran to a responder at the Veterans Crisis Line.
For more information about VA's suicide prevention program, visit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Walk for Hope and Out of the Darkness in Harrisonburg
The Walk For Hope is scheduled for Saturday March 31st in downtown Harrisonburg. This is a risk reduction event targeted towards college students.
On Sunday April 22nd Chi Sigma Iota will host its second annual AFPS Out of the Darkness Campus Walk. This walk will be held on the James Madison University Campus. Registration will be held in Highlands Room of the Festival Conference and Student Center starting at noon. We are currently spreading the word, starting our fundraising campaign, and looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested in registering they can go to our walk website: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=1705.
On Sunday April 22nd Chi Sigma Iota will host its second annual AFPS Out of the Darkness Campus Walk. This walk will be held on the James Madison University Campus. Registration will be held in Highlands Room of the Festival Conference and Student Center starting at noon. We are currently spreading the word, starting our fundraising campaign, and looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested in registering they can go to our walk website: http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=1705.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Save the Date
Coalition conference call is scheduled for March 12th at 2pm. Please contact Christy Letsom at cletsom@theplanningcouncil.org for more information.
We will share state and regional updates and discuss needs of the coalitions and future projects. I look forward to talking with you all.
We will share state and regional updates and discuss needs of the coalitions and future projects. I look forward to talking with you all.
Friday, January 6, 2012
ASIST Trainers Conference Call
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.
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.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
National Suicide Survivors Day
From Christina Benton, Suicide Prevention Manger, Virginia Department of Health
On November 19, 2011, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will sponsor an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, and information. Simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Each conference site is organized locally, but they’re all connected in spirit as participants across the globe watch a special 90-minute AFSP broadcast together. In the U.S., conference sites will show the broadcast together from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
In Virginia, there are four local conference sites taking part in this event. These events are taking place in Fishersville, Richmond, Salem, and Woodbridge. For information about each of the four events please see the contact information included at the bottom of this email.
For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast will also be available live on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time, with a live online chat immediately following the program. It will then be saved on the website so that survivors can watch it again throughout the year at anytime.
To register to watch from your home computer or to learn more about the event, please use the following link, http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FEE7D778-CF08-CB44-DA1285B6BBCF366E
Information on Local Virginia Conference Sites (all will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011)
FISHERSVILLE
Augusta Health Community Care Building, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939
Conference Starts: 12:30 p.m. EST
Contact: Nancy Koplin, nkoplin@augustahealth.com, 540-332-4012
RICHMOND
Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Ashlee Witt, richmond.afsp@gmail.com, 804-894-7158
SALEM
Education Center Auditorium/Lewis-Gale Medical Center, 1900 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153 Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Website: www.mharv.com
Contact: Diane Kelly (MHA of Roanoke Valley), mharv@infionline.net, 540-344-0931
WOODBRIDGE
Sentara (Potomac) Hospital 2300 Optiz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Victoria Graham, vickyilynngraham@hotmail.com, 703-221-1144
There are also two local conferences taking place in the Washington DC Metro Area. Their information is:
Alexandria
Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town, 1456 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.afsp.org/ncac
Contact: Dennis Tackett, isos.afspncac@gmail.com, 703-644-2112
Washington DC
Howard University, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.zphibalpha.org
Contact: Zikia Jones-Martin, 678-437-7727, zikiajones@yahoo.com
On November 19, 2011, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will sponsor an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, and information. Simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Each conference site is organized locally, but they’re all connected in spirit as participants across the globe watch a special 90-minute AFSP broadcast together. In the U.S., conference sites will show the broadcast together from 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
In Virginia, there are four local conference sites taking part in this event. These events are taking place in Fishersville, Richmond, Salem, and Woodbridge. For information about each of the four events please see the contact information included at the bottom of this email.
For those survivors of suicide loss who don't live near a conference site or who find it difficult to attend in person, the 90-minute broadcast will also be available live on the AFSP website from 1-2:30 pm, Eastern Standard Time, with a live online chat immediately following the program. It will then be saved on the website so that survivors can watch it again throughout the year at anytime.
To register to watch from your home computer or to learn more about the event, please use the following link, http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FEE7D778-CF08-CB44-DA1285B6BBCF366E
Information on Local Virginia Conference Sites (all will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011)
FISHERSVILLE
Augusta Health Community Care Building, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939
Conference Starts: 12:30 p.m. EST
Contact: Nancy Koplin, nkoplin@augustahealth.com, 540-332-4012
RICHMOND
Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Ashlee Witt, richmond.afsp@gmail.com, 804-894-7158
SALEM
Education Center Auditorium/Lewis-Gale Medical Center, 1900 Electric Road, Salem, VA 24153 Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Website: www.mharv.com
Contact: Diane Kelly (MHA of Roanoke Valley), mharv@infionline.net, 540-344-0931
WOODBRIDGE
Sentara (Potomac) Hospital 2300 Optiz Blvd. Woodbridge, VA 22191
Conference Starts: 12:30 pm EST
Contact: Victoria Graham, vickyilynngraham@hotmail.com, 703-221-1144
There are also two local conferences taking place in the Washington DC Metro Area. Their information is:
Alexandria
Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town, 1456 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.afsp.org/ncac
Contact: Dennis Tackett, isos.afspncac@gmail.com, 703-644-2112
Washington DC
Howard University, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Conference Starts: 12:00 p.m. EST
Website: www.zphibalpha.org
Contact: Zikia Jones-Martin, 678-437-7727, zikiajones@yahoo.com
Monday, October 3, 2011
Suicide Prevention Training - ASIST
Staunton City Schools, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health, is hosting an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program in Staunton, VA October 20-21, 2011.
ASIST is the most widely used intervention skills training in the US. It is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk for suicide, intervene to prevent immediate harm and link persons at risk to the next level of care.
ASIST is often used by people in a variety of “front line” positions. It is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). It is suitable for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, administrators, nurses, case workers, police/correctional/juvenile justice staff, soldiers, organizations working with military/veterans, social service staff, foster care staff, clergy, advocates for elderly and all 'natural helpers' who work in the field of human service (regardless of the population served).
Because of the support of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, this training will be offered at no cost to participants; the training is typically valued at $250. All training materials will be provided; meals will be "on your own".
Because of the demand for seats, please register only if you are able to attend the full two days, and are not 'on-call' for other duties during that time.
All participants will receive a certificate documenting 14 hours of instruction. Continuing Education credits are available for licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and law enforcement upon request. Participants who miss any part of the training will not receive CEUs or a certificate.
Training Details
Location:
Memorial Baptist Church
224 Taylor St.
Staunton, Va
Registration:
October 20th-21st
8:00am – 4:00pm (both days)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StauntonASIST
Please contact Christina Benton for any questions at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
ASIST is the most widely used intervention skills training in the US. It is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk for suicide, intervene to prevent immediate harm and link persons at risk to the next level of care.
ASIST is often used by people in a variety of “front line” positions. It is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). It is suitable for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, administrators, nurses, case workers, police/correctional/juvenile justice staff, soldiers, organizations working with military/veterans, social service staff, foster care staff, clergy, advocates for elderly and all 'natural helpers' who work in the field of human service (regardless of the population served).
Because of the support of the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, this training will be offered at no cost to participants; the training is typically valued at $250. All training materials will be provided; meals will be "on your own".
Because of the demand for seats, please register only if you are able to attend the full two days, and are not 'on-call' for other duties during that time.
All participants will receive a certificate documenting 14 hours of instruction. Continuing Education credits are available for licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, and law enforcement upon request. Participants who miss any part of the training will not receive CEUs or a certificate.
Training Details
Location:
Memorial Baptist Church
224 Taylor St.
Staunton, Va
Registration:
October 20th-21st
8:00am – 4:00pm (both days)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StauntonASIST
Please contact Christina Benton for any questions at christina.benton@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7736.
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