The Resilient Veteran

Learn Mental Health First Aid in Kittanning, PA
2024-04-08 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Learn Mental Health First Aid in Kittanning, PA
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
• Listen nonjudgmentally.
• Give reassurance and information.
• Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
• Employers.
• Police officers.
• Hospital staff.
• First responders.
• Caring individuals.
Two dates to choose from: April 8, 2024 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. OR April 30, 2024 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: ACMH -Simulation Lab, Nolte Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201
Register now! Class limited to 16 participants. Register by emailing: ljohns@havinpa.org

Building Bridges Between Crisis Services and the Communities They Serve
2024-04-10 08:00 - 2024-04-11 17:00
The Crisis Intervention Association of Pennsylvania
Building Bridges Between Crisis Services and the Communities They Serve
April 10 & 11, 2024
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, PA
**Reception featuring Scott Blasey from The Clarks**
Register online
View the complete conference guide.
Objectives
• Address special areas of interest including: trauma informed care, traumatic events, community safety and crisis skill building;
• Identify crisis intervention strategies for working with specific populations;
• Discuss methods and techniques that crisis workers can use in assessing and responding to crisis situations;
• Develop an understanding of the frustrations of those struggling to overcome the effects of mental health stigma.
Keynote Presenter:
Mandy Fauble, PhD
Dr. Fauble is a licensed clinical social worker, earning her PhD at Case Western in 2009. She has been a full time social worker since 2002 as a therapist, supervisor, program director and
agency administrator. Dr. Fauble is also an adjunct professor at Mercyhurst University and PennWest Edinboro.
The Crisis Intervention Association of Pennsylvania (CIAP) was organized in 1973. The mission of the CIAP is to promote and enhance quality crisis services for individuals, families
and communities in Pennsylvania. The CIAP will provide a forum for open communication between crisis intervention providers and other mental health professionals statewide.
The CIAP acts as an advocate by providing a unified voice, at both the state and regional levels by participating and helping to influence the development of legislation and regulations which impacts crisis intervention services. The CIAP strives to provide and promote opportunities for crisis intervention, education, training and annual conference.

Suicide Prevention Symposium
2024-04-10 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday, April 10 2024 8:30 AM — 5:00 PM EST
Tickets available online

The program will run from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and will include lunch. Registration will open at 8:00 am. All events will be held in the Brent Auditorium in Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia.
SCHEDULE
8:30 – 12:00 Understanding Ethical, Medico-Legal, and Treatment Issues in Individuals At-Risk of Suicide
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Secure Firearms Storage and Suicide Prevention
2:40 – 4:45 Safety-A Planning
Understanding Ethical, Medico-Legal, and Treatment Issues in Individuals At-Risk of Suicide, Dr. Lanny Berman
This workshop offers a deep dive into clinical standards of care for patients at risk of suicide. Evidence-based challenges to long-held (and misconceived) practices in assessing suicide risk will be offered; corrective strategies will be presented and linked to risk-based treatment planning. Medico-legal issues pertinent to the assessment and treatment of suicidal patients and based on malpractice cases will be discussed. In addition, ethical issues that arise in assessing and treating patients at risk, such as recognizing acute risk in patients who deny suicide ideation, dealing with non-adherence, decisions to hospitalize, confidentiality, split treatment, tel-mental health care, and standards of competence. Strategies to minimize potential complaints and the importance of documentation will be discussed.
Dr. Berman holds degrees from the Johns Hopkins University and the Catholic University of America. With over 50 years of experience, he has held significant roles in academia and suicide prevention organizations, authored or edited 9 books and more than 175 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on suicide and suicide prevention. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, while also contributing to suicide prevention projects internationally and offering expert testimony in legal cases involving individuals who have died by suicide.
Secure Firearms Storage and Suicide Prevention, Dr. Mike Anestis
In this presentation, Dr. Anestis will discuss how secure firearm storage could help reduce the national suicide rate. Additionally, he will discuss the roles that different members of the community, not only clinicians, can play in promoting shifts in social norms around secure firearm storage. This presentation is non-partisan and focuses on methods for empowering firearm owners to increase their own safety and that of their loved ones.
Dr. Anestis is a clinical psychologist, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, and an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at Rutgers. His research focuses primarily on suicide prevention, with a particular emphasis on the role of firearms in both military and civilian populations. He is the author of over 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles and a book, entitled Guns and Suicide: An American Epidemic. He has been a named investigator in over $20 million in externally funded research projects, including serving as the PI on the initial trial of Project Safe Guard, a form of lethal means counseling. In 2018, Dr. Anestis received the Edwin Shneidman Award for early career achievement in suicide research.
Overview of SAFETY-A, Dr. Lucas Zullo
SAFETY-A (previously referred to as the Family Intervention for Suicide Prevention/FISP) is an evidence-based therapeutic assessment for youth suicide prevention. It is designed to gather information on the current level of suicide risk as well as provide a brief therapeutic intervention to mitigate this risk and establish safety. SAFETY-A is a family-focused intervention, with components to be used with the youth alone, caregiver alone, and family together. An overview of SAFETY-A will be provided along with video examples demonstrating the delivery of the intervention.
Dr. Zullo is an Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University and the Clinical and Fellowship Director of the David Farber ASPIRE Center. Dr. Zullo has a passion for community-partnered, equity-driven care and is committed to making high-quality, evidence-based services available to all families seeking care at the ASPIRE Center. Dr. Zullo is one of the founders and co-leaders of the Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention and Postvention Community of Practice within the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and his research focuses on quality improvement of clinical services, with an emphasis on care for LGBTQ+ youth at risk for suicide.
CEU, APA, and LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT credits offered from Drexel University. CE Statements below:
APA (Psychologists) Drexel University College of Medicine, Behavioral Healthcare Education is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Drexel University College of Medicine, Behavioral Healthcare Education maintains responsibility for the program and its content. This program is being offered for up to 7 hours of continuing education.
LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT (PA SBSWE Licensed Social Workers in Pennsylvania) Drexel University College of Medicine is a preapproved provider of continuing education for Social Workers and Clinical Social Workers. This program is being offered for up to 7 hours of continuing education.

Suicide Grief: Reducing Suicide Risk by Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors
2024-04-10 14:00 - 16:00
Suicide Grief: Reducing Suicide Risk by Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors
April 10, 2024 • 2:00pm ET
Survivors of suicide loss are at increased risk for suicide. Mental health clinicians should be informed and equipped to address the unique characteristics of suicide grief to best support loss survivors (e.g., Veterans, their loved ones, etc.). While there has been much focus on treating other mental health conditions that contribute to suicide risk, there has been less attention given to supporting individuals experiencing acute grief or treating prolonged grief disorder. This presentation aims to describe how suicide bereavement differs from bereavement from other causes of death, describing interventions appropriate for acute grief, and presenting an introduction to evidence-informed interventions for Prolonged Grief Disorder.
Following this live lecture, participants will be able to:

Identify how supporting loss survivors is a suicide prevention strategy.
Describe how grief after suicide loss differs from grief after loss from natural causes.
Identify differences between acute grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder.
Summarize treatment options to support Suicide Loss Survivors.

Register online

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-04-15 14:00 - 15:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:
• Monday, April 15th , 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM
• Friday, May 10th , 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM

Intimate Partner Violence in the Military and Veteran Community
2024-04-16 12:30 - 14:00
Date: April 16, 2024Time: 12:30–2:00 p.m. ET
Register online

Join us for an informative webinar on the critical issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) within the Service members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF) community. As highlighted by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) report, Intimate Partner Violence—A Risk Factor for Suicide Among Veterans, IPV is a significant concern for women Veterans and service members. Regardless of their rural or urban dwelling status, they face higher rates of IPV experiences than their civilian counterparts. However, IPV is not confined to women alone. It can affect anyone, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation.

IPV is not just a risk factor for suicide, but also a gateway to a host of physical, mental, and social health problems. These include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse, financial difficulties, and homelessness.

In this webinar, we bring together experts from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the RAND Corporation, and VA to shed light on the implications of IPV. Attendees will gain an overview of IPV, including the latest data and research findings. We will delve into a recent study by RAND that focused on enhancing support for women Veterans.

Additionally, we will discuss federal initiatives related to IPV. Attendees will hear about the release of the first-ever U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Strategies for Action and SAMHSA’s related efforts. Moreover, there will be an opportunity to become familiar with VA’s IPV Assistance Program (IPVAP), including proactive measures taken by VA to assist SMVF affected by IPV.

We will explore how we can collectively support those who have been impacted by IPV. Following the presentations, we will open the floor for questions, providing you with the opportunity to engage directly with the subject-matter experts.

Join us as we strive to increase understanding of IPV and strengthen access to resources for those impacted by IPV within the SMVF community.

Learning Objectives

Explore the prevalence and impact of IPV within the SMVF community
Review the resources available for IPV intervention and support
Discover strategies to foster healing and recovery for those who have experienced IPV
Understand approaches to guide people who carry out IPV towards healthier relationship behaviors
Learn from best practices in identifying and addressing IPV

QPR + CALM Training
2024-04-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-14 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-04 13:00 - 17:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
Click on the image to download. You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

"Talk. They Hear You."® Resource for Military Families
2024-04-18 14:00 - 14:30
“Talk. They Hear You.”® Resource for Military Families
Date: April 18, 2024Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Learning Objectives

Discuss ways to prevent underage drinking and other substance use among youth
Discover resources for parents, caregivers, community, partners, educators, and more about having informed conversations
Identify opportunities to empower the voices of military-affiliated youth

Presenter

Robert M. Vincent, M.S.Ed., Associate Administrator, Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy, Office of the Director, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Use Prevention

samRegister Online

Learn Mental Health First Aid in Kittanning, PA
2024-04-30 08:00 - 16:00
Learn Mental Health First Aid in Kittanning, PA
WHY MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
• Listen nonjudgmentally.
• Give reassurance and information.
• Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
• Employers.
• Police officers.
• Hospital staff.
• First responders.
• Caring individuals.
April 30, 2024 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: ACMH -Simulation Lab, Nolte Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201
Register now! Class limited to 16 participants. Register by emailing: ljohns@havinpa.org

Cultural Considerations in DBT
2024-05-08 14:00 - 16:00
Cultural Considerations in DBT
May 8, 2023 at 2 PM ET
Learn more and register online
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy recommended by the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) joint clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and management of suicidality to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD) and self-directed violence. DBT training has not yet been rolled out nationally to VA facilities, though VA mental health providers have identified it as a high priority for future training needs. Adaptations of DBT and other interventions to the culturally diverse needs of the patient population are known to improve treatment engagement and effectiveness. This webinar will review the existing literature on cultural considerations in DBT and provide clinical recommendations designed to improve clinician cultural competency and clinical outcomes in a diverse patient population.
Following this live lecture, participants will be able to:

Identify the patient populations with whom DBT has been shown to be effective.
Describe the Biosocial Theory of BPD.
Describe the existing literature on cultural adaptations to DBT.
Recommend cultural adaptations to DBT implementation.

PRESENTER INFORMATION
Meredith Sears, Ph.D.

Meredith Sears, Ph.D., is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the San Francisco VA; a consultant for the national dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) training roll-out in VA’s Suicide Prevention 2.0 program; a Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco; and the president of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area chapter board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. From 2016 to 2023, Dr. Sears also served as the co-lead and training coordinator of the San Francisco VA DBT program.

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-05-10 13:00 - 14:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:
• Friday, May 10th , 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM

SAFE Project | SAFE Veterans
2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:30
SAFE Project | SAFE Veterans
Date: May 16, 2024Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Learning Objectives

Discover workshops geared toward supporting military families and caregivers
Learn how the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project is working with civilian and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to educate on opioids and discuss alternatives
Understand how the SAFE Project is working to promote wellness among those who serve and their family members

Presenters

Kelly Niedzwiecki, M.M.A.S., Senior Director of SAFE Veterans, SAFE Project
Leslie Plaia, M.Ed., Executive Director, Substance Use and Behavioral Health, SAFE Project

Register online

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-06-03 12:00 - 13:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:

Monday, June 3rd, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, June 28th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Monday, July 8th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, July 12th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, August 16th, 2024 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Monday, August 19th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM

QPR + CALM Training
2024-06-11 12:30 - 15:30
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
CALM_flyer_Q22024-2 Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
Click on the image to download. You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Understanding the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
2024-06-18 12:00 - 13:30
Learn about the most widespread standardized suicide assessment tool, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), a science-driven screening model to accurately assess suicidality, determine the risk level, and offer appropriate support.
Learn from the developer of the tool, Dr. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber, Ph.D., clinical professor of medical psychology at Columbia University. She is the director of The Columbia Lighthouse Project, a nonprofit with a mission to teach the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to therapists and clinicians. Dr. Posner will delve into the research behind the C-SSRS tool and offer practical insights on its implementation.
Join us on Zoom: Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 12:00–1:30 PM EDT/ 9:00–10:30 am PDT.
Register online
The seminar is free of charge. There is a CE credit processing fee of $30 for those seeking CE credit (see accreditation statement below).
This event is tailored to mental health professionals dedicated to suicide prevention and seeking to bolster their expertise in suicide risk assessment. Additionally, we extend our invitation to companies, organizations, and government entities committed to disseminating vital information on suicide prevention strategies.
Together, let us take proactive steps toward lowering the rates of suicide. We look forward to your participation in this informative workshop.

Conversations on the Past, Present, and Future: LGBTQIA+ in Service and Beyond
2024-06-27 18:00 - 20:00
Join PsychArmor Thursday June 27th at 6 PM ET for an engaging conversation on the past, present, and future of the LGBTQIA+ community in service and beyond. Moderated by Duane France, the host of PsychArmor’s “Behind the Mission” podcast, this event will feature exceptional panelists including Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Larry Hetu-Robert, Services Manager and Veteran Liaison, and Arrianna Auva’a, Programs, Grant and Media Certified Veterans Service Officer, who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Veterans, and subject matter experts. We are excited to present this webcast to a diverse audience of community members, allies, healthcare providers, and more. This initiative is driven by the Michigan Governor’s Challenge and is offered in partnership with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and Humana.
Register online

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-06-28 12:00 - 13:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:

Friday, June 28th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Monday, July 8th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, July 12th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, August 16th, 2024 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Monday, August 19th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:

Monday, July 8th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, July 12th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, August 16th, 2024 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Monday, August 19th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM

Suicide Prevention: The Impact of Peer Support
2024-07-10 14:00 - 16:00
Suicide Prevention: The Impact of Peer Support
July 10, 2024 • 2:00pm ET
The structure of peer support and its impact within the suicide prevention team can influence positive outcomes in the Veteran population, many of whom are high-risk. Crystal Tabor, Lead Peer Specialist, will share the duties/role of peer support specific to the suicide prevention team and methods utilized to assist Veterans with engagement in care, community inclusion, and outreach efforts.
Following this live lecture, participants will be able to:

Describe the role and structure of peer support in suicide prevention.
Discuss the benefits of peer support and its impact on the suicide prevention team
Review peer support methods utilized to assist Veterans with treatment engagement.

PRESENTER INFORMATION
Crystal Tabor, Lead Peer Specialist
Crystal Tabor is a Lead Peer Specialist who mentors a team of 12 peers at Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System. A Post-911 Veteran who served first as a PATRIOT missile crewmember and then as a combat medic in the U.S. Army, Crystal uses her lived experience to also provide direct care to Veterans both on the Suicide Prevention Team and on the Golden CBOC Mental Health Clinic Team. Crystal has worked for the VA for 16 years, starting in Austin, Texas, and now at Eastern Colorado, where she plans to continue her career for the foreseeable future.
This course is jointly offered by the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the Veterans Health Administration Employee Education System. Please forward this note to other VHA employees who might also be interested in this learning opportunity.

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-07-12 12:00 - 13:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:

Friday, July 12th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Friday, August 16th, 2024 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Monday, August 19th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM

Safety Resources and Skills for Staff who Provide Clinical Related Care in the Community
2024-07-16 15:00 - 16:00
Safety Resources and Skills for Staff who Provide Clinical Related Care in the Community
Wednesday, July 16, 2024: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
Presented by VA’s Homeless Programs Office, National Center on Homelessness among Veterans, in collaboration with VHA’s Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD)
Add webinar to your calendar
Presenters:

Dina Hooshyar, MD, MPH, Director, National Center on Homelessness among Veterans, Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs Office

Bridget Truman, PhD, Associate Director, Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior, WVPP, OMHSP Asheville, NC

Michal Wilson, MD, Senior Medical Advisor, Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs Office

Audience: Multidisciplinary staff serving Veterans at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness. Participants may include but are not limited to physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors, case managers, housing specialists, peer specialists, occupational therapists, team leaders, supervisors, addiction specialists, and Network Homeless Coordinators.
Modality: Virtual conference (webinar)
Credit/hours: 1
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ANCC, AOTA, APA, ASWB, NBCC, ADA, NYSED, SW, CRCC
Overview:
Providing clinical related services to Veterans in the community as opposed to the hospital or clinic environment has its unique staff safety related situations. The purpose of this webinar is to provide education about mitigating and managing these situations. The goal of this training is to review local workplace violence prevention resources and how to leverage these resources to enhance safety for services delivered in a community setting.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this educational session, learners will be able to:

Describe the mission and role of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers’ Disruptive Behavior Committee, including its membership and their roles.
Explain the purpose of VA’s Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS), how to access and use it, and how information that is entered into DBRS is utilized to address safety concerns.
Identify VA’s mandated trainings for VA staff who provide services in the community.
Describe safety skills for staff who provide clinical related care in the community.

Registration: To receive credit for attending, VA employees need to register in TMS before the training begins:
To find a course when logging into TMS:
Go to Learning, scroll down to My Learning, type in Course # and Title
VA TMS 131012729/ BIS 20930.53768 Safety Resources and Skills for Staff who Provide Clinical Related Care in the Community
Be sure to click Register Now rather than Assign to Me or Start Course
If you are external to the VA or Non VA staff you must have a registered TRAIN account AND register for todays training in TRAIN PRIOR to commencing training, failure to do so will result in CEUs not being awarded.
If you do not have a TRAIN account please click the link: https://vha.train.org.
VA staff register here
Non-VA staff Register here
For questions with TMS/TRAIN registration, please contact clarice.lewis@va.gov or lee.furry@va.gov
For audio, please use computer and connect audio through the TEAMS speakers
For more information on education opportunities, please email Derrick Crowley, Management Analyst, Derrick.crowley@va.gov
The National Center on Homelessness among Veterans promotes the development of policy and practice that targets ending and preventing Veteran homelessness through supporting the implementation of relevant research findings into clinical practice, providing education and training for VA and community partners, disseminating evidence-based and emerging best practices and developing new empirical knowledge.
To learn more, visit our Center Education and Training Website

QPR + CALM Training
2024-07-17 13:00 - 15:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Considering Alternatives to Prohibiting Psychedelic Drugs
2024-07-18 16:00 - 17:00
The RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute and the RAND Drug Policy Research Center Invite You to Attend

Considering Alternatives to Prohibiting Psychedelic Drugs

Thursday, July 18, 2024
4 to 5 p.m. EDT /
1 to 2 p.m. PDT

Zoom Webinar
Please register in advance

Register now »

About the Program

Psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA (ecstasy), have long been touted as holding promise for treating various mental health conditions. Some Indigenous groups have used some of these substances as spiritual medicines in traditional healing and ceremonies for millennia. Over the past decade, an increasing number of military veterans have pushed for more access to some of these substances. Clinical studies, including research conducted at (and that will soon be funded by) the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are growing.
At the same time, some states and local governments are loosening their approaches to some psychedelics. In fact, some states are implementing or considering approaches that legalize some forms of supply to adults for any reason. It seems likely that more jurisdictions will consider and implement alternative policies to prohibiting the nonclinical supply of some psychedelics, possibly including retail sales. This means that these products will made more available to the U.S. population, including veterans. But how widely available will the drugs be? Under what conditions will they be accessed? And how will these changes affect Indigenous communities? Answers to these and other policy-related questions remain to be seen.
Our panel of experts will present new data about the use of psychedelics in the United States from a newly released RAND Report Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition. They will highlight the changing policy landscape at the state and local levels and consider the pros and cons of potential policy frameworks. There will be a special focus on what these changes mean for veterans and Indigenous Peoples.
This webinar is part of a series of events organized by the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute to explore pressing policy challenges affecting veterans, their families, and their communities. It is cohosted with the RAND Drug Policy Research Center which conducts research to help decisionmakers in the United States and abroad address issues involving alcohol and other drugs.

Moderator

Michelle Priest (she/her) is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She holds B.A.s in economics and linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as an M.Phil. in policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her research focuses on policymaking for emerging industries, including ethics in technology development, equity issues in the regulation of cannabis, and public safety related to psychedelic substances. She is a coauthor of RAND’s new report, Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition.

Featured Speakers

Beau Kilmer (he/him) is codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and a senior policy researcher at RAND. He conducts research at the intersection of public health and public safety, with an emphasis on crime control, substance use, illegal markets, and public policy. His recent projects have explored the consequences of cannabis legalization (with a special focus on social equity); the future of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; the effect of 24/7 Sobriety programs on DUI, domestic violence, and mortality; and the implications of legalizing psychedelics. Kilmer is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape. In 2023, he was elected as vice president of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy. He has a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University.

Jesse Gould is a former Army Ranger and a pioneer in psychedelic therapies for veterans. As founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project, he has spearheaded the research and acceptance of ayahuasca, ibogaine, ketamine, and psilocybin therapy programs for military veterans. Gould has connected hundreds of veterans to psychedelic treatments, partnered with the world’s leading psychedelic centers, and is researching psychiatric applications with the University of Georgia, the University of Texas, Austin Dell Medical School, and Imperial College of London. His mission is to help military veterans struggling with mental trauma and spread awareness of the benefits that psychedelic therapies offer as an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals. Gould has spoken globally about the benefits of psychedelics on mental health and has been featured in the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Economist, and Forbes. He is recognized as one of the most influential voices in psychedelics today. To date, the Heroic Hearts Project has raised over $10 million dollars and has served over 1,500 veterans and military spouses through psychedelic therapies.

Rajeev Ramchand (he/him) is codirector of the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND, and a professor of policy analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School. He studies the prevalence, prevention, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in adolescents, service members and veterans, and minority populations. He has conducted research on suicide and suicide prevention including environmental scans of suicide prevention programs, epidemiologic studies on risk factors for suicide, qualitative research with suicide loss survivors, systematic reviews of the role of firearm availability, storage, and policies on suicide, and evaluations of suicide prevention programs. He has also developed freely available tools to help organizations to evaluate their own suicide prevention programs. In 2022, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to serve as a member of the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. He has testified on suicide prevention before the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

Additional speakers forthcoming.

Register for This Program

Please register to attend. This event is open to the public and advance registration is required. Those who register will receive Zoom connection details via email. For more details, please visit the event page.

QPR Training
2024-07-29 14:00 - 16:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!
QPR Training Sessions
• Monday, July 29, 2024, 2:00-4:00 PM
•Tuesday , August 6 , 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM
• Friday, August 23, 2024, 2:00-4:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 11 :00 AM-1:00 PM
• Monday, September 16, 2024, 12:00-2:00 PM

Clinical Community Partnerships to Support Behavioral Health for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
2024-07-30 13:00 - 15:00
Jul 30, 2024 01:00 PM
Register online
Join us for an informative webinar on how clinical community partners can work together to support the behavioral health needs of service members, Veterans, and their families. You will hear from Federal and community-based speakers on the following topics:
The Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020: The COMPACT Act supports implementation of a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy that provides access to free emergency suicide care for Veterans in non-VA care settings. The goal of the COMPACT Act is to reduce Veteran suicide by guaranteeing no-cost care in times of crisis. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-provides-free-emergency-suicide-prevention-care-to-nearly-50000/
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) services to Veterans: CCBHCs are funded to bring comprehensive community-based mental health and substance use services to individuals in communities. The statutory criteria requires that CCBHCs provide nine core services, including community-based behavioral health care and recovery supports for Veterans and certain members of the U.S. Armed Forces. https://www.samhsa.gov/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics
CCBHC/VA Care Coordination: Care coordination is a critical element of services for CCBHCs. You will hear about how one CCBHC in Texas has partnered with their local VA medical center, supporting collaborative behavioral health interventions for Veterans in the community.

QPR + CALM Training
2024-08-06 09:00 - 11:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!
QPR Training Sessions
• Tuesday , August 6 , 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM
• Friday, August 23, 2024, 2:00-4:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 11 :00 AM-1:00 PM
• Monday, September 16, 2024, 12:00-2:00 PM

988 Day Activation Workshop
2024-08-12 14:30 - 15:30
Date & Time
Aug 12, 2024 2:30 PM ET
Learn more and register online

The first annual 988 Day is happening on September 8th, 2024, and we are asking for your participation to make it a success! Please join us for the first-ever 988 Day Activation Workshop. The workshop is intended for organizations and individuals interested in promoting mental health and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The goal of 988 Day is to raise awareness of 988 activities around the country in fun and creative ways. This year’s 988 Day message is: “No Judgment. Just Help.” In the workshop, we will explain 988 Day and then create breakout rooms for you to brainstorm ideas with others. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a movement that will make a lasting impact on mental health support across the nation. Together, we can ensure that everyone knows that at the 988 Lifeline there is “No Judgment. Just Help.”
