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. The following information about National Suicide Prevention Week and Month is provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
In addition to the resources provided below, our Community Toolkit, which is free to download and share, also provides county-specific information that may be useful to Veterans and their families.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about publicizing the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program in your community, please reach out to us.
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National Suicide Prevention Week and Month 2024
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 8-14 (although we recognize this awareness week all month long). It’s important that we keep our mental health in mind every month, and that we do everything we can to support our friends, family members, neighbors, classmates and colleagues by knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to have a caring, direct conversation if we’re concerned about someone. It’s just as important that we notice the warning signs in ourselves and feel comfortable reaching out for help if we need it.
Throughout the month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention encourages everyone to join a Out of the Darkness Community Walk, and to help spread the word to others – on social media, in your neighborhood, and with all those you are in contact with.
There are also a few virtual events AFSP is hosting throughout the month, including:
- 988 Day: AFSP and SAMHSA are encouraging the public to recognize September 8th as 988 Day — a nationwide initiative to raise awareness around the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help us spread the message: “No Judgment. Just Help,” and use the hashtag #988Day.
- ERPOs: An Effective Tool to Prevent Firearm Suicide: the National ERPO Resource Center and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are co-hosting a webinar to discuss the effectiveness of ERPOs as a tool to prevent firearm suicides.
- September 11, 2 pm ET. Zoom webinar.
- Three Psychiatrists on a (Virtual) Couch: Therapy, Authenticity, and Vulnerability — AFSP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier moderates a special Instagram Live conversation on the role therapists play in normalizing mental health care, emulating authenticity and vulnerability, and their experience both giving and receiving therapy themselves, featuring Dr. Jessi Gold and Kali Hobson, MD.
- 6pm ET, Tuesday, September 24 on Instagram Live
- Audacy’s I’m Listening broadcast, encouraging those experiencing mental health challenges to know they are not alone, will feature AFSP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier and other guests (to precede the We Can Survive concert benefiting AFSP featuring Justin Timberlake, New Kids on the Block, Tate McRae and Khalid on September 28)
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- 7-9 pm local time, Wednesday, September 25 – airing across Audacy’s radio stations
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There are many more virtual events scheduled, so check AFSP’s calendar for more details!
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.
