Suicide Prevention: Learn the Warning Signs
In our opinion, it is everyone's responsibility as a human being to stay educated on the warning signs of suicide. Every suicide may not be 100% preventable, but if we all learn to recognize when someone is in crisis and know the appropriate way to respond, there is a much greater chance of the crisis will be resolved without someone losing their life. Individuals can live fulfilling and successful lives with mental illness. There is help available! Thanks to the American Fou
"Commentary: The Veteran Suicide Crisis is Preventable. Here's What You Can Do" news a
Source: Click here Earlier this year, a young veteran presented for therapy at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania following an inpatient hospitalization for suicidal thoughts. Things had spiraled out of control, one stressor built on another, until it all felt like too much. Fortunately, someone spotted the signs. Not a medical doctor or a therapist, he wasn’t talking to them. It was a buddy at work who asked the tough question.
Updated 'Resources' Page!
Visit our updated 'Printable Materials' page under the 'Resources' tab across the top of our webpage. There are now articles, fact sheets, and wallet cards in PDF format all gathered together in one place for you to print, download or distribute to the public! Join our fight to end suicide and encourage others to seek help by raising awareness about mental health and letting people know about important resources available. You are NOT alone. Mental health conditions are commo
"Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention" Fox News article
Source: Click here Once every 72 minutes. That's how often U.S. military veterans kill themselves. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, around 20 veterans committed suicide per day in 2014 - the most recently available statistics. Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has labeled the figure “an unacceptable statistic,” according to The Hill. “We’re reaching out to community groups, to academic groups,” Shulkin was quoted as saying. “We’re doing research in this
"5 Ways to Help During National Suicide Prevention Week (and Beyond)" news article
Source: click here 1. Say the S word. Suicide. Yes, it can be uncomfortable to talk about, but the more you practice saying the word, the less uncomfortable it becomes. There is a misconception that talking about suicide will make someone more likely to act on it, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. 2. Be mindful of your language. Be aware of saying things like, “That makes me want to kill myself,” when you really mean something like, “That made me frustrated.” Makin
Harrisburg Out of the Darkness Walk 9/9/17
Today, Dane was honored and remembered at the Harrisburg Out of the Darkness community walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. His sister Rachelle and cousin Jenna participated in the walk (the weather was perfect!), and Dane's picture was featured on a t-shirt for Team S.O.L.E.S. The funds from this event supported AFSP and go directly to supporting suicide prevention efforts, survivor resources, and research. We are thankful for this community walk so
"Suicide statistics grim reminder of need for Suicide Prevention Month" news article
Source: Click here Story Highlights Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all Americans and #2 for ages 10 to 34. There were 41,149 suicides in 2013 in the United States or one every 13 minutes Males are four times more likely to commit suicide than females and represent 78% of suicides Females are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. (Source: Center for Disease Control) Eleven Lebanon County residents have taken their lives this year, according to the county’s t
"'Parking lot' Suicides Roil VA Hospitals" news article
Source: click here In a tragic and disturbing trend, veterans are resorting to suicide on the grounds of VA facilities, VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin said last week. "As some of you may know, veterans tend to come to a VA -- either drive a car or come to the VA -- and actually suicide on our property," Shulkin said last Tuesday, stressing the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs to do more to curb veteran suicides, estimated at 20 daily nationwide. "There are a number
"'Your Son Took His Own Life': A Veteran's Suicide Set His Mother On A Mission To H
Source: Click here "In Vermont, of all the deaths by gunshot wounds in the last six years, more than a quarter were suicides by current or former members of the armed forces. Even though Veterans Affairs knows that soldiers are at greater risk of taking their own lives, it’s difficult to intervene successfully. Now, one Vermont mom who lost her son has made it her mission to end veteran suicide. Josh Pallotta, 25, was one of those Vermont veterans who took his own life. He di
"This vital app connects veterans to talk about mental health and trauma" news article
Source: Click here Three years ago, Justin Miller had a six-hour phone call he says saved his life. Miller is a medically retired military veteran, previously serving two deployments in Iraq. The trauma of combat led him to develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. The nightmares didn't let him sleep, and he was scared things would never get better. “I called the VA after having a particularly bad nightmare and told them I needed to see someo
