Photograph of the American Flag.
Welcome to the Northwest Pennsylvania
Veteran Suicide Prevention Program

Working with Healthcare Partners, Community Organizations,
Veterans and their Families to End Suicide Deaths.
Logos of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU).
Monthly Newsletter
December 2021
Greetings to our stakeholders and supporters
Welcome to PERU's December newsletter for the Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. We look forward to updating you every month with program news, training events, community outreach activities, and evidence-based best practices for reducing suicidality and increasing social connectedness and resilience among Veterans.

We encourage you to connect with us through our Facebook and LinkedIn groups and share the news of this program with colleagues, friends, and relevant community organizations. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
December Program Updates
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Read and Share Our Articles
We regularly share program-relevant articles on our website's blog. Designed to inform and inspire, these can be shared with colleagues or organizations that may have an interest in collaborating. Here's what we published over the last month:
Three hands holding one another in a triangle.
In response to stakeholder feedback, we have developed an online media toolkit that anyone can use to help spread the word about the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. The toolkit contains sample email text, a press release designed for participants to announce their collaboration, and a program overview article that can be forwarded to local newspapers, health and wellness organizations, community groups, and houses of worship. All materials can be customized to meet individual needs.
Read time: 7 minutes

This article is designed to help writers, communicators, and readers understand what determines "best practice" language and identify terms and communication practices to avoid. The article also provides ready-to-use examples that can immediately improve written and spoken communication.
Read time: 5 minutes
Upcoming opportunities and events
We accept relevant contributions for our events calendar and news blog. Members may also share program-related training, events, and activities on our Facebook and LinkedIn groups.

January 19, 1:00 - 2:30 pm via Zoom
FREE
This presentation provides an overview of the issues to consider when treating PTSD in active-duty military and veterans. Research highlighting the divergence in prevalence rates of PTSD and other post-deployment mental health problems across nations and potential causes and implications will be explored.

SCOPE First Responders Training
Ongoing
FREE
The University of Pittsburgh’s Strategies to Coordinate Overdose Prevention Efforts (SCOPE) Statewide project provides continuing education for first responders on the topics of substance use disorder 101, recovery-oriented systems of care, naloxone administration and leave behind, and understanding the barriers created by stigma and bias. Upcoming training dates and registration are available online. Email SCOPE@pitt.edu for more information.

Your participation saves lives
A map of the 15 counties of NW Pennsylvania.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is a growing public health crisis that took more than 48,000 lives in the United States in 2018.

In Pennsylvania alone, the rate of suicide deaths in 2018 was 15.7 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 14.8 per 100,000.
Fully funded by the CDC, this program aims to reduce Veteran suicide attempts, injuries, and deaths by 10% (on average) over five years in the fifteen counties of Northwestern Pennsylvania. By improving access to treatment and support services, we will increase awareness of Veteran suicide risk through suicide prevention community activities and training opportunities.
There are many ways to participate
A group of friends with arms linked watch a sunset.
Whether you identify as a healthcare provider, community organization, or Veteran, there are several opportunities through the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program to connect to resources, participate in educational training, and promote harm reduction strategies for at-risk Veterans.

We are actively recruiting healthcare and community partners to work with us in meeting our goals and objectives. Help us:

  • Create community-based programs and services that foster supportive environments, promote social belonging and community connections, and offer effective coping and resilience-building strategies.
  • Deliver healthcare-related programs and services that identify and support people at-risk and strengthen access to and delivery of care.
  • Reduce misuse of firearms and preventing suicide by firearms.
  • Offer suicide awareness training for community members and Veterans.
  • Provide activities that promote Veteran culture and connection within communities.

The list above represents a sample of all available opportunities. Please contact us to connect with a program specialist and learn more.
Learn more about our work
Photograph of two women talking over coffee.
To learn more, visit the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention website at theresilientveteran.org.

Need Help? Know Someone Who Does? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You'll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
PERU is dedicated to meaningful research and its contribution to a health system that facilitates a patient’s ability to achieve optimal health, well-being, recovery, and choice.
Funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program