Welcome to PERU's May 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.

Student Veterans, Mental Health, and Academic Performance

This article summarizes a research presentation by Lee Wagner, Senior Program Implementation Specialist, and graduate student assistant Samantha Hernandez and explores the stressors associated with student Veteran experiences, the role of Veteran transition services within the college community, and gratitude as a protective factor.

Read time: 7 minutes

2020 Suicide Data for Pennsylvania

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recently released their suicide fact sheet for Pennsylvania. We encourage everyone to review this information and share within their personal and professional networks.

Read time: 3 minutes

New Addition to Our Media Toolkit!

We've recently added a "copy and paste" short program overview to our online media toolkit! Complete with text, images, and links, it's ideal to use in email or print newsletters to spread the word about the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. The toolkit also contains sample email text, a press release for announcing collaborations, 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

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.

PA CARES Training Summit

May 24th 8 AM - 12 PM EST

FREE/ONLINE

This half-day training event will focus on considerations that are needed to promote wellness within the lives of service members, Veterans, and their families. Selected topics include: military culture, Veteran wellness, Veteran program funding and benefits, Guard/Reservist support programs, and available resources.

Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen 2022 Comprehensive Conference

June 7th - 9th

ONLINE

The 2022 Comprehensive Moral Injury (MI) Conference will present introductory and intermediate level instruction on MI research, assessment tools, and interventions used by thought leaders and practitioners in psychology, social work, chaplaincy, and other healthcare fields.

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.

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.