Volume 1, Issue 3 September 2024

September is Suicide Prevention Month

A Message from the Director

September is Suicide Prevention Month and although our work doesn't change this month, it does bring attention to the importance of what we do. In observance of the month, we developed a new Suicide Prevention Warning Signs poster to share as a resource with the community, and we screened a new film, "Moving America's Soul on Suicide" on our campus in Philadelphia.

September 17 was National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, and in collaboration with Jefferson leadership, a message was sent to clinical providers across the enterprise reminding them of the importance of both self-care and being aware of the needs of their colleagues. Sadly, physicians are in a field with a disproportionately high number of suicides. The message shared at Jefferson was also distributed to hundreds of fellows of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, highlighting resources for those who care for others.

While we are reminded of the stigma and other barriers that challenge our efforts, we remain committed to reducing the number of lives lost to suicide and the unintended consequences for those left behind. Through this journey, we want to reiterate our appreciation for your support and all you do to help fulfill our shared mission.

Matthew Wintersteen, PhD, Center Director

Suicide Prevention Month

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, the David Farber ASPIRE Center provided two resources to the community. The first was a documentary style film that we screened on the Jefferson Campus, and the second is a flyer that provides Suicide Warning Signs. This compact poster will be available on our website for download and can be used anywhere!

Film Screening

This documentary style film highlights a diverse group of people sharing stories of "triumph over trauma, pain, and mental health challenges." The film also features Dr. Thomas Joiner's work as he helps the public to understand suicide so we can each be better equipped to prevent it. The link below provides information and options for viewing.

"Moving America's Soul on Suicide" clip

Warning Signs Poster

We created this poster as a resource for anyone to use. It will be downloadable from our website and its small size makes it suitable to display anywhere. We hope for it to be made widely visible to educate the community on what warning signs might look like.

View the PDF here

In The Community

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Members of the David Farber ASPIRE Center staff attended St. Christopher's 14th Annual Back-To-School Carnival to share information about our services with families and community members– and they met a surprise guest!

Statewide PSA Contest

The Prevent Suicide PA Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest has kicked off! Each year, high school students from across the Commonwealth are invited to create a poster or video for suicide prevention. Winning projects win a cash prize, and their work is shared at both a Phillies and a Pirates baseball game for Suicide Prevention Night! If you know a PA student or staff member in a high school, check out this link and share the information.

PSPA PSA Contest Information

Left: 2024 Winning poster

Events

David Farber ASPIRE Center

Annual Open House is Coming in December!

You're invited!

December 5 • 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Last year we welcomed over 50 colleagues, friends, and community partners. This is a great opportunity to connect with members of our team and to tour our space.

Light refreshments will be offered. Look for an invitation soon!

Conferences, Presentations & Other Good News

Suicide Prevention Day at Pennsylvania State Capitol

In conjunction with Prevent Suicide PA, members of the David Farber ASPIRE Center attended Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg. Education Director Amanda Blue spoke to the group in the Capitol Rotunda and we had the opportunity to share resources and information with PA Capitol visitors from all over the world.

Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was awarded its fifth consecutive Garret Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This new project begins on September 30 and focuses on developing statewide programming to support youth at the highest risk for suicide. Members of the David Farber ASPIRE Center team are included on the grant and evaluation team.

988 Grant Team

The 988 grant team visited three of our twelve 988 call centers in PA. These visits serve as an opportunity for our team to see how the crisis centers operate while also giving their staff a chance to ask questions, gain clarification, and suggest additional ways in which we can continue to support them. In September, our team has visited 988 call centers in Stroudsburg, Erie, and State College, PA.

Our Clinic is Growing!

Over the past three months we've welcomed several new members to the clinical team. To view the new member positions and bios, click the link below and scroll down to see the full staff:

Clinical Staff

We've released a series of video FAQs to help patients understand what to expect when they begin receiving services from the David Farber ASPIRE Center clinic. Videos cover topics from confidentiality to defining evidence based care. The videos can be viewed at the link below:

FAQ videos

Meet Carra Minkoff

Carra's position at the David Farber ASPIRE Center is another unique feature of the Center– she is the Family Support Partner. In this role, Carra provides support to loved ones of those receiving services at the Center. Carra creates a safe space for family members to discuss how to care for an individual at risk for suicide in an affirming and trauma-informed way.

If you or a loved one would like to receive services at the David Farber ASPIRE Center

please visit us at David Farber ASPIRE Clinical Site

David Farber ASPIRE Center website

Supporting the David Farber ASPIRE Center

If you are interested in supporting the work of the David Farber ASPIRE Center, we welcome you to visit our page on the Jefferson Development site.