Welcome to PERU's June 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.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their Relationship to Suicide in Veterans

This article summarizes a research presentation by Lee Wagner, Senior Program Implementation Specialist, and explores the definition of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the occurrence of TBIs in military personnel within the last twenty years, the connection between TBI and suicidal ideation (SI), and best practices regarding TBI and SI in Veterans.

Read time: 7 minutes

Person First: Operation Vet NOW

The Person-First series chronicles the lived experiences of Veterans committed to reducing suicide deaths of those who have served in the armed forces. Read our recent interview with Combat Veteran Tony Aubrey and the community outreach work being done by Operation Vet Now (OVN).

Read time: 5 minutes

Reports and Newsletter Archive

Did you know that our monthly progress reports are publicly available? These brief documents provide a snapshot into the outreach activities we engage in every month and our progression in attaining our short- and long-term strategic goals. In addition, past issues of this monthly newsletter can be read and shared.

Read time: 3 minutes

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.

Increasing Awareness of Suicide Among Women Veterans

June 23rd

FREE/ONLINE

Women Veterans are an underserved and often overlooked population. Suicide among omen Veterans is a growing problem, and suicide by firearm has increased substantially in this population. Join this session to learn about suicide risk and prevention among women Veterans.

Advance Cultural Competence for Clinical Work with Service Members & Veterans: Panel Discussion

July 19th

FREE/ONLINE

This virtual panel discussion includes multidisciplinary behavioral health clinicians, who are also Veterans, and aims to provide an opportunity to discuss advanced topics regarding key cultural factors central to clinical work with Veterans and Service Members.

Recovery Is Community NW PA Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Virtual Conference Series 2022

Various dates throughout June

FREE/ONLINE

Throughout June, UPMC Safe Harbor, Mercyhurst University, and Recovery is Community NW PA, will offer an online conference to increase awareness of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), provide information on how to support systems to help mitigate the impact of NAS on infants and families, and information about naloxone to prevent overdose. Resources to promote care coordination for substance-impacted families and understanding of recovery during pregnancy and postpartum will also be provided.

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.

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 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.

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 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.