Niagara County Suicide Prevention Coalition

Be a part of the "Inspire a Well Niagara" Campaign by submitting your message at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/inspireawellniagara

L.E.T.S. Save Lives Su***de Prevention Programming for Black and African American Communities

The American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP) launches su***de prevention programming supporting mental health equity for Black and African American Communities called L.E.T.S. (Listening Empathy Trust and Support) Save Lives. “L.E.T.S. Save Lives is an effort to help normalize the conversation regarding su***de in the Black and African American community,” said Victor Armstrong, AFSP vice president for health equity and engagement. “It is a reminder that losing hope and social connection is not exclusive to any one race or culture, and neither is creating pathways to restore hope.” Read more about this new resource at https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2024/02/06/american-foundation-for-su***de-prevention-launches-su***de-prevention-resource-for-black-communities/
AFSP will be hosting a livestream event to introduce the program on February 15, 2024, at 3 pm ET titled: “Talking About Su***de Prevention for the Black Community: Introducing the L.E.T.S. Save Lives Program.” To watch live visit https://www.facebook.com/AFSPnational/ or https://www.youtube.com/afspnational.
To learn more about L.E.T.S. Save Lives please visit afsp.org/letssavelives

We're excited to finally announce that the Well Niagara mobile app now has a corresponding webpage to help more people access the wealth of resources available on it! Visit https://www.wellniagara.niagaracounty.com/

We'll continue to update and expand the listing of resources to keep both the app and website relevant and useful.

Stay tuned....more to come!

Well Niagara The Well Niagara app is created for Niagara County, NY residents to increase awareness of and to connect / stay connected to a variety of resources that can assist with improving and sustaining mental, emotional, behavioral and physical wellness.

There are many food pantries across Niagara County that can help those in need.

Ensure no one goes hungry this winter season! Niagara County is home to many food pantries for those in need. If you or someone you know could use a little extra support, visit https://www.211wny.org/ for a searchable list of resources by zip code.

Consider nominating someone in our community who makes outstanding contributions in one of the 6 categories below! In 2018 our Community Network of Care (CNOC) for Children & Families in Niagara County, which is lead by NCDMH, was an award recipient.

Here’s your opportunity to recognize New Yorkers who are doing outstanding work! 🥳

Nominations are now open for our annual "What's Great in Our State" awards. There are 6 categories:

• Youth/Young Adult
• Family/Caregiver
• Lifetime
• Systems of Care Community
• Organization or Community Group
• School or School District

➡ Nominate someone today: https://forms.office.com/g/TUn0UUuvY1

Su***de Prevention education for Pharmacists: Pharm-S.A.V.E.S.
As easily accessible members of health care teams, pharmacists sometimes find themselves in the position of interacting with patients who are contemplating su***de. Most pharmacists are eager to help these patients, but many lack knowledge or experience in how to engage in these difficult conversations.

Pharm- S.A.V.E.S.covers 7 topics (listed in the image from the training website below) and at the end of the course a pharmacist should be able to: Identify the signs of su***de; Ask patients if they are contemplating su***de; Refer patients to the Crisis Line; and Access additional local resources for su***de prevention.

For traininig visit https://wp.media.unc.edu/studentpharmsaves/

Register for the next virtual Operation S.A.V.E. Su***de Prevention Training being held on November 30th from 10:30am - 12:00pm on Zoom by visiting https://wnyvasave.attendease.com

Check out the new Niagara County Crisis Services tear off flyers available for download and print on our webpage at https://www.niagaracounty.com/departments/m-r/mental_health___substance_abuse/crisis_services.php under Resources for Sharing.

The graphics were created by Orleans and Niagara Career Technical Education Center Students in the Spring 2023 in partnership with NCDMH!

School Districts in Niagara County will be receiving copies in the mail of these as well to distribute throughout their schools widely !

💜🩵

If you're ever having a tough day, and you could use someone to talk to, reach out to The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline for support.

***depreventionmonth

Uniformed personnel can take action NOW to help strengthen resiliency and wellness. Learn how CARES UP can help.

Make mental health a priority. CARES UP home page - New York State Office of Mental Health, Su***de Prevention of New York.

Niagara County Honors Orleans/Niagara Career and Technical Centers’ Graphic Communications Students

Legislator Jesse Gooch and Myrla Gibbons Doxey, Deputy Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) honored students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Centers’ Graphic Communications Programs at Tuesday’s meeting of the Legislature. The students were recognized for their creative and unique designs for community messaging flyers and bus bench advertisements that encourage people experiencing a mental health and/or substance use concern to contact the County’s 24-hour crisis phone line at (716) 285-3515 or 988.

“These students developed messaging that will resonate with their peers because who understands what young adults face better than other young adults,” said Gibbons Doxey. “We are tremendously impressed with their great work.”

"My students really identified the importance of working within the community," said Susan Staddon, Niagara Career and Technical Center's Graphic Communications Instructor, "The idea that the Department of Mental Health came to our classroom and wanted to include students speaking to students with their artwork made a powerful impact, and it continued important related conversations throughout the project."

"The students were so pleased to be given the opportunity to do something so significant for their community," said Karen Krull, Orleans Career and Technical Center's Graphic Communications Instructor, "It was a privilege to be part of this life saving project."

Pictured from left to right: Deputy Director Gibbons Doxey, Graphic Communications Instructor Karen Krull, Graphic Communications Students Caylee Sword, Jadean Gold, and Blayzz Cassidy, and Legislator Gooch

Niagara County Recognizes Su***de Prevention Month

September marks National Su***de Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to su***de, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about su***de prevention and share messages of hope.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, contact our 24 hour Crisis Services at (716) 285-3515 for free confidential support and guidance in accessing the most appropriate resources and/or treatment options available to you based on your needs. You can also call 9-8-8 for the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which Niagara County is affiliated.

(Photo: Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, presented a proclamation to Myrla Gibbons-Doxet, Deputy Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Jodi McKay, Crisis Services Program Manager acknowledging Su***de Prevention Month.)

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and Inside Higher Ed compiled four ways higher education leaders can prioritize su***de prevention on their campuses.

Four ways colleges are reducing su***de risk among students Higher education leaders can recognize September as Su***de Prevention Month by prioritizing mental health and belonging at their college or university.

World Su***de Prevention Day 2023: Creating Hope through Action

Creating Hope Through Action This is "Creating Hope Through Action" by IASP on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

As a new school year begins, remember to practice good mental health care. See some tips below.

There is Help; There is Hope! Call Niagara County Crisis Services 24-Hour phone line at (716) 285-3515 or 988 if you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis and in need of support, guidance, information, referral and/ or intervention.

The first day of ***depreventionmonth is the right time to remind New Yorkers that ***de is everyone's business. When we bring everyone into the conversation about su***de, we all can better identify warning signs, provide support, and ultimately save lives.

Visit our website to learn more: https://www.preventsu***deny.org/

***depreventionawareness ***deprevention

Please join the Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in collaboration with the VA Western New York Healthcare System, for a Su***de Prevention virtual training titled Operation S.A.V.E. being held on August 30 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

Operation S. A. V. E. will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a person who is suicidal. The acronym “SAVE” summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in su***de prevention: Signs of su***de, Asking questions, Validating feelings, and Encouraging help and Expediting treatment.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/operation-save-su***de-prevention-training-tickets-669331306957

Please join the Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and VA Western New York Healthcare System, Su***de Prevention Program on August 30 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm for a virtual training titled Operation S.A.V.E.

Operation S. A. V. E. will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a person who is suicidal. The acronym “SAVE” summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in su***de prevention: Signs of suicidal thinking. Ask questions, Validate the person’s experience, and Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/operation-save-su***de-prevention-training-tickets-669331306957

Excellent free training opportunity!

Free Training Opportunity this month for school personnel and community mental health providers in schools. To learn more and register visit https://preventsu***deny-selfreg.administrateweblink.com/courses/HSAR-1%1E-%1E-Helping-Students-at-Risk-for-Su***de---1day

6 CEUs available for LMSW, LCSW and LMHC licensees.

Seating is limited. Register by July 24th.

Another FREE Training opportunity for School Personnel and Community Mental Health Providers in Schools with CEUs available! Seats are limited. Reserve your seat by registering at https://preventsu***deny-selfreg.administrateweblink.com/courses/HSAR-1%1E-%1E-Helping-Students-at-Risk-for-Su***de---1day

Helping Students at Risk for Su***de (HSAR) is a full-day (6 hours) professional development workshop for school professionals including, psychologists, school counselors, social workers, school administrators who are involved in the helping process when a student may be at risk for su***de, and community mental health providers who work with and in schools. Please note this training will take 7 hours when accounting for a lunch break. The workshop was developed through a collaboration of the NYSASP, SPCNY and Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention. HSAR is designed to improve skills, processes, and protocol for helping students at risk for su***de through:

1. Equipping educators with tools, knowledge, and skills to assist students having thoughts of su***de or engaging in suicidal behavior.
2. Understanding the value of pre-planning and standardized procedures for intervention.
3. Identifying the value of collaboration and shared decision making between school mental health professionals, community providers, and the student and their family.
4. Reviewing documentation of su***de intervention.
5. Preparing to implement standardized procedures that reflect best-practice intervention.

Continuing Education: Six (6) CE credit hours are available for LMSW, LCSW, and LMHC licensees upon completion of course.
**Important** Participants must attend and participate in the entire workshop to be eligible. Attendance will be verified.

Educational Method: Interactive lecture, discussion, role play, video demonstrations, and small group discussion. The trainer will provide all materials for this workshop.

NCDMH Director Laura Kelemen had the opportunity to meet with Governor Hochul today at the first-ever New York State Summit on Youth Mental Health at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

"Governor Hochul released a summary report following a statewide listening tour on youth mental health. The report outlines both findings and recommendations on how to best address the youth mental health crisis." The Governor released the summary report at today's Summit. Read more on the event and access the Youth Mental Health report at
https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/addressing-youth-mental-health-crisis-new-york

We're all in this together to help make a positive difference for our community's children, youth and families.

The New York State Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (NYS TINRC) is offferning free Breath-Body-Mind Practice and Training opportunities for individuals across NYS. To learn more information see the flyer below or visit https://traumainformedny.org
Workshops are free and open to all. Registration is required.

Here's an upcoming opportunity!

🚨🚨Attention school and youth professionals!🚨🚨

Join our upcoming Helping Students At Risk For Su***de webinar on June 5, 2023.

This webinar is designed to improve skills, processes, and protocol for helping students at risk for su***de through:

✅Equipping educators with tools, knowledge, and skills to assist students having thoughts of su***de or engaging in suicidal behavior.
✅Understanding the value of pre-planning and standardized procedures for intervention.
✅Identifying the value of collaboration and shared decision making between school mental health professionals, community providers, and the student and their family.
✅Reviewing documentation of su***de intervention.
✅Preparing to implement standardized procedures that reflect best-practice intervention.

Register here: https://preventsu***deny-selfreg.administrateweblink.com/courses/HSAR-1%1E-%1E-Helping-Students-at-Risk-for-Su***de---1day

***de ***deprevention ***depreventionawareness

Su***de Prevention is everyone's business. Take a look at the Su***de Prevention Center of New York's newest webpage-- a guide on how to share resources and information to help save lives.

https://www.preventsu***deny.org/mental-health-month-marketing-toolkit/