FREE Suicide Prevention Boot Camp for First Responders!

The Carson J Spencer Foundation and the Colorado Commission on Suicide Prevention would like to invite you to participate in our 3-hour FREE Suicide Prevention Boot Camp for First Responders! We know how tough your jobs are and would like to invite you to participate in creating a suicide prevention plan to take back to your organization.

September 20, 2016 from 9:00am-12:00pm

West Metro Fire 

433 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226

Registration Link: http://firstresponderbootcamplakewood.eventbrite.com/

September 23, 2016 from 1:30-4:30pm 

Falcon Fire Station 

7030 Old Meridian Road, Falcon CO 80831

Registration link: http://suicidepreventionfirstresponderbootcampfalcon.eventbrite.com/

September 30, 2016 from 12:30-3:30pm

Eagle County Paramedic Service Training Rooms

1055 Edwards Village Blvd., Edwards, CO 81632

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suicide-prevention-first-responder-bootcamp-eagle-county-tickets-27579639444

Colorado Gun Shops Work Together To Prevent Suicides

By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio September 12, 2016



Jacquelyn Clark, co-owner of Bristlecone Shooting, Training and Retail Center in Lakewood, Colo., holds a list of gun safety rules. One recommendation: Consider “off-site storage if a family member may be suicidal.” (John Daley/Colorado Public Radio)

It’s ladies night at the Centennial Gun Club in a suburb of Denver. More than 80 women are here for safety instruction and target practice.

Tonight the club is offering more than shooting, though. The women rotate through the firing range, and in another large room, they hear a sobering presentation from emergency room doctor Emmy Betz. She’s part of a collaboration between gun shops and public health leaders in the state to help prevent suicide.

“If you’ve been touched by suicide somehow, if you could, raise your hand,” she asked. About half the hands go up.

For a teacher, coach, parent or mentor - there is no job description

Teachers, coaches, parents, mentors—we've got your back. Knowing how to have effective conversations with youth about marijuana doesn't always come naturally, so we've built tools and tips to help at GoodToKnowColorado.com/talk.

6 Myths about Suicide that Every Parent and Educator Should Know

NPR

Common misconceptions about suicide can make it difficult for parents, school staff, and medical professionals to accurately identify young people who might be at risk. David Jobes, the head of Catholic University's Suicide Prevention Lab, discussed several of these misconceptions with NPR. First, contrary to the notion that asking people about suicidal ideation increases their risk, "we need to ask, and we need to intervene to actually save lives," said Jobes. Second, while depression is a risk factor for suicide, most people with depression do not attempt suicide, and many people who engage in suicidal behavior are not depressed. Third, prevention is possible. Said Jobes, "We know very clearly that, with proper identification, proper support and treatments that are suicide-specific, we absolutely can make a difference and save lives." Fourth, most young people demonstrate warning signs or indicate that they are having suicidal thoughts before an attempt, which presents opportunities for intervention. Fifth, although research on suicide among children below the age of 12 is limited, that age group is also vulnerable to experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Sixth, when a suicide death has occurred, a school assembly may increase the risk of modeling effects, or contagion. "We really want to have these conversations in smaller groups, especially among those kids who were most affected by the suicide," said Jobes. "So, just a wholesale didactic event is not necessarily in the school's best interest. And not necessarily the best way to prevent copycat suicides or additional suicides."

Find out more about suicide prevention in schools.

#BeThe1ToAsk

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the National Council is joining with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to raise awareness about and expand its #BeThe1To campaign. Every year, suicide claims the lives of 40,000 people and another 500,000 people attempt it. #BeThe1To emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention, encouraging everyone to “Be The 1 To” take action to save lives. One action – asking directly about suicidal thoughts, listening compassionately, connecting someone to a support system – can make a difference to help someone who may be thinking of suicide.

We invite you to share a personal story of action - one about helping someone else, or of being impacted by someone taking the time to help you. To view examples visit the Lifeline’s Stories of Action page here.Together we can promote actions that encourage healing, provide help and give hope.

Email your submissions to communications@thenationalcouncil.org.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 2016 is also known as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that effect people when they are most vulnerable. Suicidal thoughts and suicide occur too frequently but should not be considered common and can indicate more serious issues. In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide.

• Know the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide
• Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver
• Being Prepared for a Crisis

Crisis and Information Resources

I'm in crisis or am experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts: National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

Unintentional Injury after a TBI

Adults with Moderate to Severe TBI are at Increased Risk

Previous research examining adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who participated in rehabilitation showed that they were twice as likely to die from an unintentional injury that occurred following their TBI, compared to individuals in rehabilitation of similar age, sex and race but without TBI. People who have had a moderate to severe TBI may experience changes in cognition and balance, which may put them at greater risk of subsequent unintentional injuries.

The August special issue of NeuroRehabilitation is dedicated to work on unintentional injury after a TBI with a focus on understanding injury risk related to changes in cognition, health, and behavior as a result of the TBI. It includes: