In this Issue:

• News
• Events & Webinars
• Community Resources
• Los Recursos Familial en Español
• Family Resources in English
• Job Opportunities

Spotlight On:

September is

National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a month to acknowledge the struggle that millions of people around the world experience and to remember the lives lost to the public health crisis that is suicide. It’s a time to advocate for suicide prevention efforts and educate on steps we can all take every day of the year. You can play a role by learning early warning signs, risk factors, and how to talk to someone about mental health.    

News

Internaional Overdose Awareness Day Brought Together Loved Ones, Survivors, and Advocates

August 31 marked International Overdose Awareness Day, which gathered community members who have been impacted by overdose. Healing Starts Today organized a fantastic 5K Walk/Run in Veterans Park, and RISE Drug Free MKE organized a community resource fair, tributes, children's activities, and a healing space for loved ones, survivors, and advocates who pledge to never lose another individual to overdose.

Resources were provided by: Celebrate Recovery, Community Medical Services, HIR Wellness, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Fire Department/MORI, Nar-Anon Moms, Nystrom & Associates, Pathfinders, The Phoenix, Rogers Behavioral Health, Safe & Sound, Samad’s House, UMOS, United Community Center, Vin Baker Recovery, Vivent Health, Wauwatosa Health Department, Wisconsin Community Services, and Healing Starts Today. 

In the evening of August 31, Light the Hoan lit up Milwaukee's iconic bridge to demonstrate the community's dedication to end overdose.

Prior to the event, on August 29, Milwaukee elected officials and leaders held a press conference to discuss what is being done to combat drug overdose and support those living with a substance use disorder. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson declared August 31 to be recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day throughout Milwaukee.

A big thank you goes out to all of the organizations and individuals who participated.

Applications Now Open for 2024-2025 School-Based Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Programs

Mental Health America of Wisconsin is offering a funding opportunity for elementary, middle, and high schools in Wisconsin. This opportunity is in addition to the Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Grant through the Department of Public Instruction. With a focus on training Wisconsin students to recognize the signs of suicide shown by fellow students, peer-to-peer programs use messages of hope, health, and strength to develop peer leaders and resources for students who may be struggling. Applications are due October 11. 

VitalCog Suicide Prevention in the Workplace

Schedule Your Organization's Session to Support Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September 

VitalCog trains organizations to proactively address the early warning signs of suicide in the workplace. This two-hour training gives participants the skills and tools to appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about workplace mental health challenges, and by promoting help-seeking and help-giving.

VitalCog workshops are best conducted in the workplace for groups of 7 to 25, with human resources staff present to discuss available services for employees.

To learn more and schedule a training, email Community Advocates Public Policy Institute Trainer Rita Liesiefsky.

Neu-Life Youth Learn New Skills at

CADCA's Mid-Year Training Institute

In July, the 53206 Drug Free Communities Project was delighted to invite four Neu-Life Community Development youth to the CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute in Chicago to enable them to sharpen their prevention skills. Read our blog to learn some of their takeaways on substance misuse, communication skills, and community capacity building.

Nystrom & Associates Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Program

Nystrom & Associates has immediate openings for its 1-week program for those living with Substance Use Disorders and mental health issues. The program includes two groups and one individual session per week. Most insurances accepted. To schedule an intake, please call 414-424-2446 ext. 0428.

Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is a nonpartisan movement hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. DVRW is about advocacy, celebrating community, and building power. DVRW includes: voter registration and education events, candidate forums on disability issues, digital organizing, engaging with elected officials, and creative actions.

This month’s meeting is devoted to celebrating recovery. Presenters include Tracy Oerter, Chief Clinical Services Officer, Meta House, and Kenneth Ginlack Sr., from Serenity Inns. The meeting will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on September 10 at IndependenceFirst, 540 S. First St., Milwaukee. Click on the link below to join virtually.

We can all save lives.



The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.

This two-hour interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention will also cover statistics and intervention strategies. In September, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute's QPR workshops will be held on the following dates:

• September 11, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
• September 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

MC3 is partnering with Charles E. Kubly Foundation to present the impactful documentary "My Ascension," at 1 p.m. on September 10 at the Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee. Resources will be available along with a panel discussion after the film. This event is free but registration is required.

About "My Ascension": A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help others find hope, while shining more light on the suicide epidemic that is taking the lives of 20 young people every day in the United States.

"My Ascension" is a feature-length documentary that chronicles Emma's inspiring journey and quest to walk again; as she works to bring Hope Squad, a school-based suicide prevention program, to Louisiana. The film also highlights the stories of two remarkable young people who tragically did not survive their attempts, and we learn first-hand from their families, friends, school officials, and suicide prevention experts about the devastating effects of suicide.

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line - HELLO to 741741.

During this virtual workshop from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore foundational information on how to reduce the level of conflict through self-knowledge, understand how past experiences influence current behavior, and practice de-escalation. This session will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on September 11 via Zoom. 

Peer support is a powerful tool for improving youth mental health. Feeling safe and understood by someone in a similar situation can be the key in youth feeling comfortable enough to ask for help and receive support. Join Mental Health America and guests for a free 60-minute session where participants will: hear from youth involved in peer support programs; discuss how peer support can be a powerful tool in improving youth mental health; and explore the different types of peer support available. This webinar will be held at 12 noon on September 12. 

The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals, advocates, and consumers organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. This month's topic is Utility Services and Energy Assistance and will be held in person from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 18. Location TBD.



Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Kindly make sure to RSVP by September 13. 

This virtual conference from the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC will feature an inspiring keynote, informative workshops, and practical tools for your work in behavioral health. Delve into current trends and innovative strategies that are transforming how we understand and support mental health. You can visit vendor booths and sit down at virtual roundtables to discuss topics of interest. This virtual conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on September 18. All sessions will include simultaneous Spanish translation. Este evento tendrá interpretación bilingüe simultáneo. 

STRYV365 is organizing its third annual Trauma Symposium to bring together educators, clinicians, and community members to discuss effective ways to help youth cope with trauma. This free event will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on September 20 at Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, 325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee.

During the 2024 Mental Health America, Sept. 19-21, you can unite with thousands of mental health advocates from across the globe for three days of empowerment, innovation, and connection. The MHA conference, held in person in Washington, D.C., and online, offers a welcoming space for sharing personal stories and is open to anyone passionate about mental health. 

Safe & Sound, the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, and Milwaukee Academy of Science are organizing this free, safe space for youth ages 12-18 to discuss "better ways to cope" than by misusing opioids. It’ll be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 20 at 2000 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee. Refreshments will be served and parents are welcome to join the conversation. Contact Bridget Whitaker at 414-207-2117 or bridget@safesound.org with questions.

UW-Milwaukee Military and Veterans Resource Center is offering this suicide prevention and awareness event for members of the military and veterans, including a resource fair, memorial ceremony, walk/run, DJ and music, and much more. It’ll be held at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., Milwaukee, at 9 a.m. A memorial motorcycle ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Wisconsin Harley-Davidson, 1280 Blue Ribbon Dr., Oconomowoc. 

Wisconsin law requires every qualified voter to maintain a current voter registration before voting in an election. If you've never voted in Wisconsin before, haven't voted in the past four years, or your name and/or address has changed since you last voted, you will need to register in order to vote in the upcoming presidential election. Please note that all Wisconsin voters must provide proof of residence/address when registering to vote.

If you need help, Community Advocates is offering voter registration assistance in our lobby at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, on the following dates:

• Tuesday, September 24, from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence invites you to the Beyond Beautiful Community Engagement Session 2 focused on understanding and addressing the mental health services among African American women. This session is designed to provide a platform for African American women to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions related to mental health care. This session will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on September 25.

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch is hosting a fireside chat on Black youth suicide prevention, featuring speakers from SAMHSA, young adults with lived experience, and experts in suicide prevention among Black youth. Research shows that from 2018 to 2021, Black individuals aged 10 to 24 experienced a 37% increase in suicides, the largest increase among racial groups. This webinar will highlight the efforts of SAMHSA's Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative and focus on actions to support youth in their communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts and young people about addressing Black youth suicide and learn how to embed equity in suicide prevention efforts. It will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on September 25. 

Bring a bag or two to Owen’s Place to pick up resources, prevention materials, gun locks, pill disposal kids, clothes, snacks, and more. This is a free event to be held on September 25, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Owen’s Place, 4610 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee.

Traiga una o dos bolsas a Owen's Place para recoger recursos, materiales de prevención, candados para armas, eliminación de pastillas para niños, ropa, refrigerios y más. Este es un evento gratuito que se llevará a cabo el 25 de septiembre, de 3 a 5 p. m., en Owen's Place, 4610 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee.

The 2024 Alcohol Policy Seminar (APS) is a training and networking opportunity for communities working to reduce excessive alcohol use, which is Wisconsin’s most persistent public health challenge. Alcohol-related problems continue to grow, including disease, injuries, domestic violence, underage drinking, and motor vehicle crashes and other harms. It’ll be held on October 7 and 8 in Oshkosh.

The Self-Determination Conference is one of Wisconsin’s biggest events for people with disabilities and the people who support them. Last year, over 800 people attended the conference. Your support will help provide scholarships, interpreter and translation services, technology and a high-quality in-person experience. Please help the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities continue to empower Self-Advocacy and Self-Direction in Wisconsin. The conference will be held from October 21 through October 23 at Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells. 

Hey, there,

-- do you have:



• Job openings?
• Upcoming events?
• News to share?
• Suggestions?

Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.

Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!

An American Indian in the Classroom: Overcoming Trauma in Education for Native Youth

This presentation developed by the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC explores how historical educational oppression is linked to contemporary oppression in the classroom and schools and offer some guidance on how to overcome these barriers to support Native youth and families. Watch the presentation.

Creating Safety When Working with Clients with Substance Use Disorder and Traumatic Stress Disorder

Helping clients recover from trauma begins with creating safety in the home, community, and helping relationships. We can begin by asking clients what would help them feel safe at home and in the community. When clients with histories of trauma and substance use disorder do not feel safe in helping relationships, they often drop out of counseling and continue substance use. This blog post from the Great Lakes ATTC explores steps that can be taken to create safety in the helping relationship. Read it now.

National Recovery Month Toolkit

During September, check out SAMHSA's National Recovery Month toolkit and use and share the information and tools available, many of which are offered in Spanish language including social media messages, shareable graphics, and other resources you can use on your language platforms. Access the toolkit.

Preventing Substance Use Among Young Adults with Disabilities

This SAMHSA advisory highlights the need for primary substance use prevention programs for young adults ages 18 to 25 with disabilities, provides guidance to prevention specialists on designing and tailoring these programs, and describes factors that may affect the delivery of prevention. Download it here.

Línea 988 

Servicios en español. 988 Lifeline ofrece servicios gratuitos en español las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. No tiene que hablar inglés para recibir ayuda. Para acceder al apoyo en español, marque 988 y presione 2. Escuchará un mensaje que le dice que ha llegado a la línea 988 de prevención del suicidio y crisis. Luego, escuchará un poco de música de espera mientras lo transferimos a una persona calificada. Esta persona le escuchará, le brindará apoyo y compartirá cualquier recurso que le pueda ser útil. ¡Su llamada es confidencial! Para iniciar una conversación de mensaje de texto en español con el 988 Lifeline, envía la palabra AYUDA a 988. Cuando envíes un mensaje al 988 Lifeline, verás un mensaje de tiempo de espera mientras lo conectamos con una persona calificada. Una vez conectado, el consejero lo escuchará, entenderá y lo apoyará. Para chatear con el 988 Lifeline en español, elige “Español” en la esquina superior derecha de la pantalla y luego visita nuestra página de chat. Antes de conectarse, llenará una breve encuesta, que ayudará a la persona calificada a entender cómo apoyarlo mejor. Obtenga más información.

Healthy MKE

De Milwaukee Health Care Partnership y Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services, el sitio web Healthy MKE ofrece una única fuente de información para los servicios públicos y privados en el condado de Milwaukee, donde los proveedores y los miembros de la comunidad pueden obtener la información que necesitan para ayudarse a sí mismos o a otros. Accede a ellos aquí.

Programa de intervención familiar (FIP)

Objetivo del programa de intervención familiar es eliminar importantes barreras que impiden latinos y afroamericanos individuos y familias de buscar servicios de asesoría tradicional. Este programa de manejo de caso intensivo, basado en el hogar, enfoque familiar ofrece servicios de apoyo a las familias que luchan con el impacto de la adicción a la sustancia y la violencia doméstica. Servicios son proporcionados sin costo a la familia. Para obtener más información sobre el programa de intervención familiar, por favor llame a 414-270-4600. Aprende más.

988 Lifeline

If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential. You can take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night. Learn more. 

Recovery and Recovery Support

SAMHSA has collected a number of resources for people who are in recovery to support their health and wellness as they live full lives with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Learn more.

Waukesha Area LGBTQIA+ Focused Health Care Resources

From PFLAG Waukesha, these resources provide culturally affirming resources for sexual and gender diverse individuals. Check them out.

Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery

Are you worried about your drinking or drug use? You aren’t alone. The Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery (POWER) is here to help. The Milwaukee Women’s Center’s POWER provides FREE day treatment for women struggling with alcohol and other drug issues. Click here to learn more or call 414-270-4600 to get help.

Family Intervention Program (FIP)

Struggling with drug and alcohol use can make you feel alone. Not being able to find a counselor who understands your unique treatment needs can make things even harder. The Family Intervention Program is a no-cost, bilingual English and Spanish drug and alcohol treatment program specifically designed for Black and Latinx individuals and families in Milwaukee. To learn more about the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Family Intervention Program, please call 414-270-4600 or click this link.

Job Opportunities

• Kids Matter Inc.: Outreach/Team Support
• Meta House: Manager of Residential Clinical Services
• Meta House: Substance Use and Mental Health Therapist II
• Milwaukee Careers Cooperative: Executive Director
• Neu-Life Community Development: Lead Teacher, Youth Development Program / Safe Place (Part Time)
• Pathfinders: CORE Employment and Education Specialist
• Rogers Behavioral Health: Behavioral Health Technician, Residential
• Sirona Recovery: Recovery Support Coordinator

This newsletter was created and delivered to you thanks to the financial support of Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services Behavioral Health Services and other funders.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950 

ppi.communityadvocates.net