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 partners and supporters | |
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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.
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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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Caregivers have higher levels of stress and are more prone to depression than non-caregivers. The VA Caregiver Support program offers services to recognize and support a caregiver’s mental health and well-being.
Read time: 2 minutes
National Safety Month and Gun Storage Check Week
As June is National Safety Month we wanted to share this information from our advisory group partner, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), about Gun Storage Check Week. The goal of the NSSF campaign is to encourage gun owners and their families to take a moment to check on their gun storage practices and improve them, if necessary, to prevent unwanted access.
Read time: 3 minutes
Journal Club: Crisis Line Services
The following presentation was shared by our program partners at UPMC Western Behavioral Health and discusses the information found in the recent article Crisis Line Services: A 12-month descriptive analysis of callers, call content, and referrals. The article and a PDF of the slides are available to download.
Read time: 3 minutes
No Cost Counseling for Military Sexual Trauma
Community-based Vet Centers offer counseling to any Veteran or service member—including members of the National Guard and Reserve forces—who was sexually traumatized while serving in the military. Survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) do not need to have reported the MST to receive professional, confidential counseling.
Read time: 3 minute
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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.
Integrating Trauma-Informed Care Into Suicide Response (ITIC) Training
- Friday, June 28, 2024 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
- Monday, July 8, 2024 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
- Friday, July 12, 2024 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
- Friday, August 16, 2024 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Monday, August 19, 2024 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
ITIC is a one-hour virtual training designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma-informed care, as well as specific trauma-informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide. Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered via Zoom. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Summer and Fall 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 with an * will 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. Free CEUs will be provided in CME/CNE/ASWB/APA. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
- Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM*
- Monday, July 29, 2024 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM*
- Friday, August 23, 2024 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Monday, September 16, 2024 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM*
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.
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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 approx. 49,500 lives in the United States in 2022.
In Pennsylvania alone, the rate of suicide deaths in 2021 was 13.9 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 14.04 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 | | | | |
