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 Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and share the news of this program with colleagues, friends, and relevant community organizations. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Suicide Prevention Month Resources

Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about suicide, increase understanding about how to prevent it, and provide support and resources for individuals and communities affected by suicide. Visit our website for information and resources provided by the CDC.

Read time: 3 minutes

View the New QPR Promotional Video

The QPR Institute recently launched a new one-minute promotional video. Designed for promoting QPR Gatekeeper Training, it can be shared on websites, social media and through email. Feel free to use it widely and often!

View time: 1 minute

QPR + CALM Training Sessions for Fall 2023

Sign up and spread the word about our upcoming QPR Gatekeeper (Question. Persuade. Refer.) and CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means) training opportunities. All session are free and delivered online.

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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.

MDMA-assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study

September 26, 9 AM EST

ONLINE

Join us for an online discussion of recent research findings using MDMA-assisted therapy to treat severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective. Identifying a beneficial therapeutic for these individuals, including those with common comorbidities such as dissociation, depression, a history of alcohol and substance use disorders, and childhood trauma is an imperative.To register, contact Patti Tanner at pag109@pitt.edu.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Looking for an activity to participate in? Please review our listings. If you have a supporting event you'd like to add to our community calendar, contact us.

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.

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.

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.

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.