August 2023 Newsletter

Suicide Prevention Trainings, Events, Resources and Related News in the Northern Virginia region

Find Help At Your Local CSB

Each community has a Community Services Board (CSB), the public agency that provides services for people who have a mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. CSBs also provide Wellness and Prevention initiatives, including trainings such as ACE Interface (Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resiliency), Mental Health First Aid, REVIVE, and suicide prevention. They also can provide or connect you to resources such as locking medication boxes and drug disposal bags.

To get services, get trained, and learn more, connect with your local CSB.

Prince William County

Upcoming Suicide Prevention Events

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walks

SPAN is excited to be a sponsor for the local upcoming AFSP Out of Darkness Walks. These walks provide an opportunity for friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers to walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those lost. These community walks provide an opportunity to acknowledge how suicide and mental health have affected our lives and the lives of those around us. Each walk event includes activities and resources to provide hope and further promote suicide prevention.

Upcoming walk events:

Sunday, 9/10/23 Manassas & Prince William Walk
Saturday, 9/16/23 Loudoun Walk
Sunday, 10/1/23 Fairfax Walk

Visit AFSP Out of the Darkness to ;learn more about a walk event near you.

Training Opportunities

Mental Health First Aid

This interactive certification course introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health challenges, build understanding of their impact, and most importantly, teaches how to help someone who is in crisis or experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

Contact your local CSB today for more information on how you can get trained in Mental Health First Aid.

QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer

QPR teaches 3 simple yet powerful steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. In this course, participants learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to the help they need.

Contact your local CSB today for more information on how you can get trained in QPR.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adulthood. However, ACEs can be prevented.

ACEs training presents scientific evidence that adversity during development increases the risk of physical, mental and behavioral problems later in life, and are the leading cause of health and social problems in the nation and the most powerful determinant of the public’s health.

The goal of ACEs training is to raise awareness of ACEs in communities by shifting the focus from individual responsibility to community solutions, reducing stigma around seeking help with parenting challenges, substance misuse, depression, or suicidal thoughts; and promoting safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments where children can reach their full potential. The training teaches that ACE prevention is the greatest opportunity for improving the well-being of human populations.

Contact your local CSB today for more information on how you can get trained in ACEs.

Additional Suicide Prevention Trainings Available

In addition to the valuable trainings listed above, each local CSB may have additional suicide prevention and mental health related training opportunities available. Contact your local CSB today for more information!

Prince William County

Lock & Talk

Lock Meds. Lock Guns. Talk Safety.

Lock & Talk is a statewide suicide prevention initiative that strives to promote safe care of lethal means and encourages community conversations around mental wellness.

Lock & Talk is excited to share that the redesign of the Lock &Talk website. The new website is now live and ready for you to share with your communities!

SPAN members and community partners are encouraged to visit the site, check out the pages and share out this amazing news with your community!

Visit Lock & Talk for more information and resources.

Suicide Prevention Related Resources & Articles

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

Visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline fore more information and resources.

ConnerStrong Foundation

ConnerStrong Foundation works to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention and to change the discussion about mental health, especially in our teens and young adults. The foundation also provides outreach and comfort to the families and communities affected by mental health and suicide.

Visit ConnerStrong Foundation for more information.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project's mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people. Reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else.

Call, text, or chat to connect with crisis counselor who will provide information and support to young people 24/7, all year round.

The Trevor Project

The Steve Fund

The Steve Fund is dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

Text STEVE to 741741 and a live, trained Crisis Counselor will receive the text and respond to you quickly to provide support.

The Steve Fund

SPAN Website

Don't forget to check out the SPAN website for upcoming events, resources, and information. Feel free to share with your community partners, family, and friends.

SPAN Website

suicidepreventionnva@fairfaxcounty.gov

https://www.suicidepreventionnva.org/