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.

650 People Walk for Suicide Prevention

An article appearing in the Colorado Community Newspapers highlights the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk that was on September 11 at Highlands Ranch High School.

So far, the event has raised $67,000 in donations, and the number is climbing. Proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a source of comfort and understanding for many who are left behind in the wake of suicide, including Cole. Up to 50 percent of the net proceeds come back to the local community for suicide prevention and awareness.

Click here to access the article.

Altitude and Suicide

A study published in the online edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry finds a significant positive correlation between age-adjusted suicide rate and county elevation. Researchers theorize that the association may be related to the effects of metabolic stress associated with mild hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) in individuals with mood disorders.

Journal Reference:
Namkug Kim, Jennie B. Mickelson, Barry E. Brenner, Charlotte A. Haws, Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd, and Perry F. Renshaw. Altitude, Gun Ownership, Rural Areas, and Suicide. American Journal of Psychiatry, Sep 15, 2010.

Denver Post OpEd Piece on Suicide in Colorado

A guest commentary by Zeik Saidman in the Denver Post discusses Colorado's high suicide rate in 2009:

People working in the field of suicide prevention were shaking their heads after a recent state report found that after three years of declining numbers, the suicide rate increased to 18.4 per 100,000 or a record high of 940 suicides in Colorado in 2009.

QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructors Course

The University of Colorado Depression Center is hosting a QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructors Course on October 1st 8:30 - 5:00 on the Anshutz Medical Campus. The cost is $495 per person. For more information go to http://www.qprinstitute.com/

New Hope Presbyterian Church Appreciation

Yesterday, Phyllis Harvey presented a plaque to New Hope Presbyterian Church in appreciation for their hosting five Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshops in 2010. The Rev. Russ Kane accepted the plaque on behalf of New Hope and asked Phyllis to share some information about the ASIST with the congregation.

Both Phyllis and Russ are members of the Douglas County Suicide Prevention Alliance.

ASIST is a two-day work shop that prepares participants to intervene with people who are having thoughts of suicide. Future workshops are scheduled for September 29-30 and October 4-5, 2010; and February 7-8, and June 9-10, 2011.

For more information, contact Betsy Sousa at betsy.sousa@dcsdk12.org or 303-728-4034.

Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver 9th Annual Walk/Run/Ride

The Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver 9th annual Walk/Run/Ride will take place on Sunday, September 19, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The event features a 5k, 3 mile walk, or 2 or 4 mile bike ridge through the hilly Green Mountain neighborhoods bordering the fairgrounds or a 1 mile walk on the fairgrounds. Event activities include a free BBQ lunch, massages, t-shirts, concerts, kids' activities, and a memorial dove release. Learn more about the event, register for the race, set up your fundraising page, or sign-up to volunteer by clicking here.

Still Time to Register for the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk

There's still time to register for the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk. The walk begins at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 11 at Highlands Ranch High School. To register go to the South Metro Walk's page on the Out of the Darkness website. You can also register the day of the walk.

Fewer College Students Thinking About Suicide

The number of college students who said they had thoughts about suicide within two weeks of counseling fell from 26% in 1998 to 11% in 2009 according to a study presented August 12 at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. The decrease may reflect improvements in suicide prevention and counseling outreach on college campuses.

Click here to read the Los Angeles Time article.

A Town Hall of Hope

On Friday September 24, The Town Hall of Hope: Connecting Voices and Highlighting Solutions for Suicide Prevention will bring together community leaders, advocates, experts and individuals who have been touched by suicide to:

• share stories and perspectives on the impact of suicide in Colorado,
• explore current trends and suicide statistics, and
• offer promising practices and resources in the field.

An open forum will follow the presentation as communities pull together, collaborate, and build upon each other's successes.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held from 10 am to noon at Lookout Mountain Community Church Education House, 528 Commons Drive, Genessee, CO 80401.

To RSVP or get more information contact Andrea Weyand at 720-352-7505 or andrea@suicidepreventioncolorado.org

Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention Symposium

Registration opens August 12th for the Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention Symposium that will be held Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Recreation Center at Southridge in Highlands Ranch. The symposium is offered at NO COST and will feature panels of school and agency personnel with a variety of experience in youth suicide prevention and response.

The 8:00 - 9:30 am training is designed for School Administrators and their teams.

The 9:45 - 4:00 am training is designed specifically for suicide intervention teams from your schools, including school psychologists, school social workers, counselors, SROs, nurses, special educators, teachers, community partners, and crisis response teams.

Register online at www.co.train.org   Code ID: 1023530

For more information, contact Colorado School Safety Resource Center at 303-239-4435 or email schoolsafetycenter@cdps.state.co.us

Free ASIST Training

A free Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop (ASIST) will be held August 18-19, 2010 at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock. ASIST is a 2-day workshop developed by LivingWorks Education, Inc that prepares anyone to help a person considering suicide get the help they need to save a life. The workshop begins each day at 7:30 am and ends at 4:00 pm. Participants must attend all 17 hours to become ASIST certified.

The trainings are funded by a Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and support from the Douglas County School District, and Douglas County Sheriff's Office.


To reserve your space, please contact Betsy Sousa at betsy.sousa@dcsdk12.org or 303-728-4034


Additional ASIST workshops are scheduled for October 4-5, 2010, February 7-8, 2011, and June 9-10, 2011.

New U.S. Army Suicide Prevention Video

The U.S. Army has issued a 20-minute training video on suicide prevention. Shoulder to Shoulder: I will Never Quit on Life, features vignettes and testimonials of members of the Army Family who received help for psychological distress or who assisted an individual in need. Their stories have the power to reduce the stigma associated with personal district, to inspire individuals to get the help they need, and to motivate people to look out for each other.

The Jason Foundation

A link to The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) has been added to the Online Resources section of Aiming for Zero. JFI provides educational curriculums and training programs for students, educators/youth workers, and parents. JFI's programs build an awareness of the national health problem of youth suicide, educate participants in recognizing the "warning signs or signs of concern," provide information on identifying at-risk behavior and elevated risk groups, and direct participants to local resources to deal with suicidal ideation.

Financial Distress & Suicide Risk

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a guide with practical advice on how to deal with the effects financial difficulties can have on your physical and mental health. Getting Through Tough Economic Times covers the following topics:

• Possible health risks
• Warning signs
• Managing stress
• Getting help
• Suicide warning signs
• Other steps you can take

The guide was developed by SAMHSA, the Suicide Prevention Center, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk

An Out of the Darkness Community Walk will be held September 11, 2010 at Highlands Ranch High School. This fall, over 200 walks will be held across the county to benefit the research and education programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Online registration closes at 11:45 pm the day before the walk, but you can register at the walk.

For more information, visit the South Metro Walk site.

New Illinois Law Expands Suicide Prevention Training for School Personnel

On June 26, 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law that will require Illinois school social workers for grades 7 through 12 to undergo suicide prevention training. Under the old law, only guidance counselors and teachers from grades 7 through 12 had to be trained in suicide detection and prevention. The new law also adds participating in or presenting at inservice training programs on suicide prevention to the list of possible professional development activities for teacher certification or certification renewal.

"We must do every thing we can to protect our youngest citizens,"said Governor Quinn. "This new law will help save young lives by making sure schools are better-equipped to monitor suicidal behavior and know when and how to intervene."

The press release along with audio of the Governor's comments are available here.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Workshops

The Douglas County School District is offering two free ASIST workshops in July. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a 2-day workshop developed by LivingWorks Education, Inc that prepares Gatekeepers to integrate principles of intervention into everyday practice. The workshops are scheduled for July 12-13 and July 20-21, and will be held from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock.

The trainings are supported through funds provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Office of Suicide Prevention grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and support from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

To register or get more information, email Betsy Sousa.

Sixth Annual Second Wind Fund Golf Tournament

Second Wind Fund of Douglas County is hosting its Sixth Annual Golf Tournament on July 20th at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Roxborough. Last year Second Wind Fund provided therapy to 45 suicidal youth in Douglas County. The program is the only source of support for many youth in crisis and the demand is expected to increase.

To register for the tournament or become a sponsor, contact Holly Glasgow at 720-851-9350 or SecondWindDC@gmail.com.

Deadline for registration is July 10.

Reach Out Website

Reach Out is an information and support service using evidence based principles and technology to help teens and young adults facing tough times and struggling with mental health issues. All content is written by teens and young adults, for teens and young adults, to meet them where they are, and help them recognize their own strengths and use those strengths to overcome their difficulties and/or seek help if necessary. The Inspire USA Foundation oversees Reach Out.

ASIST Workshops Scheduled for 2010-2011

Six Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshops have been scheduled for 2010-2011. ASIST is a 2-day workshop designed to teach the skills to competently and confidently intervene with people at risk of suicide. Developed by LivingWorks Education, Inc. the workshop prepares Gatekeepers to integrate principles of intervention into everyday practice.

These training are offered free of charge through a partnership with Douglas County School District, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, New Hope Presbyterian Church, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Office of Suicide Prevention through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Workshop dates: