Photograph of the American Flag.
Welcome to the Northwest Pennsylvania
Veteran Suicide Prevention Program

Working with Healthcare Partners, Community Organizations,
Veterans and their Families to End Suicide Deaths.
Logos of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU).
Monthly Newsletter
September 2021
Greetings to our stakeholders and supporters
Welcome to PERU's inaugural newsletter for the Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. We're looking 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.

Our program website recently launched along with discussion groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. We encourage you to connect with us through these channels and share the news of this program with colleagues, friends, and relevant community organizations. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Why is your participation so important?
A map of the 15 counties of NW Pennsylvania.
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 2018.

In Pennsylvania alone, the rate of suicide deaths in 2018 was 15.7 per 100,000, compared to the national rate of 14.8 per 100,000.
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.
There are many ways to participate
A group of friends with arms linked watch a sunset.
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.
Work with us to achieve our goals
Two men in military fatigues bump forearms.
  • 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.
  • Identify procedures that result in referral to treatment.
  • Train practitioners to enhance their competency in identifying Veterans at-risk.
  • Emphasize treatment options and opportunities to prevent suicide reattempts.
  • Promote policies that strengthen access and delivery of care by improving coverage for mental health conditions.
  • Improve coordination of and access to medical, behavioral, and mental health care.
  • Increase awareness of existing mental health parity laws.

The list above offers an overview of available opportunities. Please contact us to connect with a program specialist and learn more.
Who are our Advisory Group partners?
Photograph of people from different races holding hands.
Since launching the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program, the support and expertise of our Advisory Groups' partners have been a dedicated and valuable resource. We encourage you to visit our website and learn more about each member's role in helping us reduce Veteran suicide risk.

  • Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCHBO) & Beacon Health Options (BHO)
  • Evaluation Institute (EI) at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH)
  • Hold My Guns (HMG)
  • National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF)
  • PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)
  • PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP)
  • PA Department of Health (PADOH)
  • PA Department of Human Services (DHS)
  • PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
  • Pennsylvania Coroner's Association (PCA)
  • UPMC Western Behavioral at Safe Harbor (SH)
  • VA Healthcare VISN4
Have resources, opportunities, or news items to share?
A man in a dress shirt shakes hands with a man in military fatigues.
We encourage participation on our Facebook and LinkedIn groups and solicit relevant contributions to our events calendar and news blog.

Thank you for supporting this important and life-changing work! We look forward to hearing from you.
Learn more
Photograph of two women talking over coffee.
To learn more, 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.
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