Welcome to PERU's monthly 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 Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and share the news of this program with colleagues, friends, and relevant community organizations. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Take Part in the Caring Messages Campaign

The Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Their Families encourages everyone to send a caring message to Veterans they know, possibly saving a life. The winter months can be challenging, and sending an email, message, or handwritten note can be uplifting and provide hope and connection.

Read time: 5 minutes

Monthly Reports and Reports Archive

Did you know that our monthly progress reports are publicly available? These provide a snapshot of the outreach activities we engage in every month and an indication of our short-and long-term strategic plans.

Read time: 5 minutes

Sharing Mental Health Information with Your Family

If you are concerned about potential mental health issues in your family, you may not know where to start. In this video presentation, courtesy of Families for Depression Awareness, you’ll learn ways to talk about mental health information with your family in a supportive, respectful way.

Read time: 3 minutes

VA Offers Rural Veterans Options to Connect with Providers

More than 4 million Veterans in the US live in rural areas and face unique healthcare challenges. VA is working to expand access to care in rural communities through telehealth and other virtual means.

Read time: 3 minutes

Take Our Suicide Awareness Survey

We are collecting information about beliefs, attitudes, and experiences involving suicide and mental health issues. You are encouraged to take the survey and share it within your personal and professional networks.

Read time: 1 minute

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.

ASIST Training

No Cost, CEUs available

ASIST is a two-day, highly participatory in-person workshop in which participants learn to use a suicide intervention model to identify individuals with thoughts of suicide, seek a shared understanding of reasons for dying and living, develop a safety plan based upon a review of risk, and learn how to provide active follow-up. Two sessions are available:

January 30-31, 8 AM – 4 PM (both days)

Veterans Leadership Program

2934 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh

March 5-6, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (both days)

Beacon Light

1885 Market Street, Warren, PA

January & February QPR + CALM Training Dates

QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. All dates also offer a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings. No cost.

New Training Opportunities Available

Visit our website to learn about our newly expanded menu of training classes. In-person and online offerings include:

• QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.)
• CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means)
• Applied Suicide Interventional Skills Training (ASIST) *In-Person Only
• Introduction to Military Culture
• Overview of Moral Injury (MI)
• An Epidemic in Our Ranks: Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Please share with your personal and professional networks throughout the region. Contact us to set up training for your organization, association, or business.

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.

Our Vision: The work of the Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program will result in resident Veteran suicides being reduced to zero by the end of the project period (August 31, 2025).

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 prevent 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.

To learn more, and meet our program implementation team, visit the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention website at theresilientveteran.org.

Need Help? Know Someone Who Does? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You'll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.