Welcome to PERU's August 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.

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.

Read time: 2 minutes

Military Suicides on the Rise in Q1 of 2023

We recently shared the US Department of Defense’s Quarterly Suicide Report and support article written by Doug G. Ware for Stars and Stripes. We encourage everyone to review this information and get involved in stigma-reduction and suicide prevention efforts in their communities.

Read time: 5 minutes

The Social Roots of Suicide

Review our recent research presentation by Patti Tanner, Senior Program Implementation Specialist about Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide, integration and cultural regulation of social relationships, and current advances in research. A pdf of the presentation is available to download.

Read time: 5 minutes

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

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective…It is therefore imperative to identify a therapeutic that is beneficial in those individuals, including those with common comorbidities such as dissociation, depression, a history of alcohol and substance use disorders, and childhood trauma.

To register, contact Patti Tanner at pag109@pitt.edu.

Final QPR Training for the Summer!

August 23, 12 noon - 2 PM

ONLINE

QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Looking for an activity to participate in? Take a look at our listings. If you have a supporting event you'd like to add to our community calendar, please 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.