April 20-21 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. The workshop is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). This includes professionals, paraprofessionals and lay people. It is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, counselors, youth workers, police and correctional staff, school support staff, clergy, and community volunteers.

There is no fee for this training and space is limited. Funding provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Office of Suicide Prevention grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

When: Wednesday, April 20 & Thursday, April 21. 7:30 am - 4:00 pm both days.

Where: Cantril Building, 312 Cantril Street, Castle Rock, CO 80134

For more information or to register email Michael Arnold, michael.arnold@dcsdk12.org or call 303-387-0122.

Young Female Veterans Three Times as Likely to Die by Suicide

Young female veterans are three times as likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts according to researchers from Portland State University (PSU) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

The researchers found that young women veterans have nearly triple the suicide rate of young women who never served in the military. The study examined data on 5,948 suicide completed between 2004 and 2007. During that time the suicide rate among female veterans age 18-34 was 13.39 (per 100,000) compared to 4.39 for non-veteran females.

Click here to read the press release from Oregon Health and Science University

TrevorChat

TrevorChat is a free, confidential, secure online messaging service that provides live help through The Trevor Project website. It's available on Friday's between the hours of 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm Mountain Time. The chats are conducted by volunteers who have been trained to support young people with their concerns and questions.

TrevorChat is only intended to assist those who are not at risk for suicide. If you are feeling suicidal, please call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

The Holiday Suicide Myth

One of the most common myths associated with suicide is that suicides occur more frequently during the holiday season. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the national suicide rate is lowest in December and highest in the spring and fall. Still, an analysis by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 40% of media reports on suicide since 2000 have perpetuated the myth. According to the report: "Perpetuating the myth not only misinforms readers but it also misses an opportunity to educate the public about the most likely sources of suicide risk, including major depression and substance abuse."

National Task Forces Take Lead to Prevent Suicides in Amerca

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance), a private-public partnership created in September to address the preventable public health tragedy of suicide, announced today the creation of its first three task forces. The respective task forces will identify and develop systems and strategies to improve data collection and surveillance of suicidal behaviors in the United States, and prioritize research on suicide prevention, and update the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Click here to read the story from PR Newswire.

Denver VA Medical Center to Research Suicide Prevention

The Denver VA Medical Center has joined forces with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s (USAMRMC) Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP) and Florida State University to develop a strategic suicide prevention research plan, which incorporates efforts from civilian and Department of Defense entities to integrate, synchronize and implement a multidisciplinary research approach to suicide prevention.

USAMRMC awarded $17 million to the Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC) September 30. Researchers from the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Florida State University were each awarded $8.5 to address this urgent public health issue across the military and the general population.

Through a multidisciplinary approach and the use of state-of-the-art research methodology, the MSRC will yield new scientific data regarding suicidal behavior. Novel findings will assist in the development of more effective prevention interventions, risk assessment methods and treatments to decrease suicide. Findings also will serve to provide recommendations for improving policy and clinical practice guidelines.

To read the entire press release click here.

Supporting Those Left Behind by Military Suicides

On October 21, 2010, National Public Radio aired a segment on a program that helps military suicide survivors. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is a 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of death.

You can listen to the segment and get a copy of the transcript here.