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 September 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.
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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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Breaking Bread with Heroes
Register today to attend “Breaking Bread with Heroes,” a luncheon at the Fort LeBoeuf American Legion Post 285 on 120 West 4th Street in Waterford, PA, on Saturday, September 17 at 12:00 PM. The event aims to raise awareness for Veteran suicide prevention and will feature a menu designed by celebrity chef Robert Irvine and prepared by U.S. Marine Veteran and chef Shane Cash. Army Veteran and keynote speaker Stephanie Mitchell will discuss her experience as a combat medic in Iraq and her current work with the Erie Veterans Center. The event is hosted collaboratively by The Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program, The Robert Irvine Foundation, The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the Erie VA Medical Center. Register online to reserve your seat!
As September is Suicide Prevention Month, we’d like to share 30 days of activities that can be used to engage, share, and learn more about the work of the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program and our stakeholders. Our program strives to reduce stigma, promote resiliency, and educate the community about the signs of suicide risk. This calendar, and the daily reminders, can be shared with friends, family, and others in your professional network.
Suicide Prevention Training in Traditional and Nontraditional Settings
This article includes some frequently asked questions about suicide prevention and delivering QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Compiled with the help of program implementation specialist Lee Wagner, we hope this information helps spread the word to potential healthcare sites, businesses, and community organizations that may be interested in collaborating with us.
Read time: 3 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.
Mon. Sep 19, 2022, 11:00 am – 3:30 pm EDT
ONLINE
Free
Understanding the interconnections between humans and Nature has been a topic of growing interest. This has led to new research that extends across traditional scientific research disciplines and the development of a variety of frameworks that consider relationships among people, animals, and the environment. This workshop will bring together research, practitioner, and policy communities along with other stakeholders to explore opportunities to advance understanding of the interconnections between public health and Nature.
Tue. Sep 27, 2022, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm ET
ONLINE
Free
Join Erie VA Medical Center, along with representatives from the Pittsburgh VAMC-UD, VA Butler Healthcare System, and the Erie County Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse as they present crisis management and suicide prevention education to Veterans, family members, and community stakeholders.
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 46,000 lives in the United States in 2020.
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 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.
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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 | | | | | |
