Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention for Veterans Event a Success

The Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program operates on a three-pronged approach involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and Veterans and their families in the 15 counties of NW PA.

On October 20, 2023, a mental health awareness and suicide prevention workshop was held at Clarion Psychiatric Center, in collaboration with Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. Patti Tanner, Senior Program Implementation Specialist and Veteran facilitated a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training for attendees. In addition, Greg Griffith, Senior Program Implementation Specialist and Veteran lead a workshop on the topic of moral injury, its prevalence among service members, common precipitating events, health outcomes, and treatment options. Additional presenters include Sheena Bice, CCO, Forge Health, about the science of trauma, and Brittany Reonason, who discussed her Veteran husband’s death by suicide.

Looking to Get Involved?

Whether you identify as a healthcare provider, community organization, or Veteran, there are several opportunities through the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program and PERU to connect to resources, participate in educational training, and promote harm reduction strategies. We are actively recruiting healthcare and community partners to work with us in meeting our goals and objectives. To learn more, visit the program website at theresilientveteran.org.

Need Help? Know Someone Who Does? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.

Friday, October 20, 2023