September is suicide prevention month
Become Suicide Aware: Help Us Reduce Suicides in the Roanoke Valley
September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is an important time in our prevention community to help spread awareness about suicide. It is the second leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds and it is estimated that 47,000 Americans died by suicide in 2017. The Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley (SPCRV) and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) would like to share a calendar of events that will take place throughout the month of September. Events will focus on suicide prevention, warning signs, and strive to reduce the stigma associated with suicide.
SPCRV and BRBH are hosting many activities throughout Suicide Prevention Month including the following trainings: safeTALK Suicide Alertness, Adult & Youth Mental Health First Aid, and ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. These trainings are provided by BRBH staff and SPCRV members. Hwal Lee, member of the council and current student at Radford University Carilion, is a passionate champion for suicide prevention and has provided MHFA to over 300 people in the last year.
On September 24, 2019, SPCRV, BRBH, and Virginia Western Community College, along with the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, will host Angst, an IndieFlix original documentary designed to raise awareness around anxiety. This is a free event at 7pm in the Whitman Theatre. There will be a panel discussion by local professionals about mental health treatment and behavioral health wellness.
“Suicide is at epidemic proportions according to the CDC. I encourage everyone in our Roanoke Valley community to learn more about the warning signs for suicide and what you can do to help a friend, family member, coworker, classmate, or neighbor. Usually, those closest to an individual are the first to notice the warning signs, and your support for your loved one to get help can make ALL the difference. You do not need to be a mental health professional to take advantage of many of the educational opportunities listed. You can play a big part in preventing suicide. There is always hope.” – Debbie Bonniwell, CEO, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
Become more suicide aware by taking advantage of the opportunities listed on the attached SPCRV Suicide Prevention Month calendar.
If you are a journalist and developing a story about suicide check out the guidelines for reporting:
http://reportingonsuicide.org/recommendations/
Contact: Sheila Lythgoe, MS, Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley, Phone: (540) 982-1427; Email to: slythgoe@brbh.org
