Welcome to the Northwest Pennsylvania
Veteran Suicide Prevention Program
Working with Healthcare Partners, Community Organizations,
Veterans and their Families to End Suicide Deaths.
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Greetings to our stakeholders and supporters | |
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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 Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and share the news of this program with colleagues, friends, and relevant community organizations. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
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Program Updates from Our Website | |
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: | |
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Sign up and spread the word about our June and July QPR Gatekeeper (Question. Persuade. Refer.) and CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) training opportunities. All session are free and delivered online.
Read time: 5 minutes
Adagio Health Women Veterans Event a Success
Adagio Health in New Castle, PA, recently co-sponsored the Cooking For Your Mind: Nutrition & Mental Health for Women Veterans workshop which featured registered dietitians and a licensed therapist. Participants explored strategies to support mental health and overall well-being, including cooking demonstrations, recipes, and take-home bags of fresh food.
Read time: 2 minutes
Veterans Yoga Project Supports Recovery
Did you know that Veterans are eligible for free in-person or online yoga classes? The Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) offers yoga and mindfulness resources, teacher training programs, and community building opportunities to support recovery and resilience among Veterans and their loved ones.
Read time: 5 minutes
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Upcoming opportunities and events | |
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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.
New Training Opportunities Now 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 a training for your organization, association, or business.
July 22, 2023, 3 pm
Join us for a Lake Erie fishing trip for women Veterans. All equipment and bait provided. Visit our website to learn more and register. Don't delay because this event will fill up fast!
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.
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Your participation saves lives | |
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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 2021.
In Pennsylvania alone, the rate of suicide deaths in 2020 was 12.55 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 13.48 per 100,000.
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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. | |
Share Our Vision and Get Involved | |
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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.
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Learn more about our work | |
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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.
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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 | | | | |
