Youth Suicide Prevention
What is Project LIFE ?
Project LIFE Newsletter - Spring 2010Project LIFE Newsletter - Fall 2009
Project LIFE Newsletter - Summer 2009
The Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition’s (DSPC) Project LIFE (Living is for Everyone) is a comprehensive, statewide suicide prevention initiative targeting youth ages 10–24. By creating new programming and leveraging existing resources, the DSPC aims to reduce negative behaviors and enhance resiliency in youth most at-risk for suicide. Project LIFE takes a public health and community-based approach to suicide prevention by identifying the broader patterns of suicidal behavior through groups and populations. Following the Guiding Principles of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, DSPC is designed to be a catalyst for social change, with the power to transform attitudes, policies and services. The goals of Project LIFE are to prevent suicidal behaviors by enhancing resiliency, reduce the impact of suicide and suicidal behaviors on individuals, families and communities, and improve access to and availability of prevention services for vulnerable, high-risk individuals. Literature suggests using a system-wide community approach in recognizing and referring youth to an appropriate service has been shown to markedly reduce rates of suicide. The DSPC has mobilized over thirty state and community-based agencies to develop multiple strategies to prevent youth suicide.
What does Project Life offer to the community?
CRISIS SERVICES/CHILD PRIORITY RESPONSECDCP offers state-wide immediate post-trauma counseling and follow-up care to youth and their caretakers to cope with the aftermath of violent and traumatic experiences. For referral information, call (302) 576-3183.
Teen Website
The teen web-site will provide information on suicide intervention for those teens in need or teens who seek information on how to help others. Visit www.delteenspace.org for more information.
Social Marketing Campaign
This campaign is designed to bring about awareness, social and behavioral change developed by the Mental Health Association and the Delaware Suicide Prevention Coalition.
More information at www.getrightsideup.org.
Tool Kits
Toolkits for youth will include a youth booklet, DVD, and a calendar designed using art pieces from local teens. Toolkits for adults and Gatekeepers will include the toolkit booklets for youth and families. The kit includes crisis intervention information, a video, and many resources aimed at saving lives. Over 4,000 toolkits will be distributed by Project Life to five target populations:
- schools (faculty and staff)
- emergency rooms/hospitals
- general public (community centers and churches)
- youth
- military families
To request a toolkit, please call (302) 654-6833, ext. 20 or acalla@mhainde.org
YSPN
Youth Suicide Prevention Network(YSPN) is a network of students and teacher sponsors from high schools throughout New Castle County Delaware that will conduct suicide prevention activities in their own schools. Visit www.delteenspace.org for more information on YSPN.
Gatekeeper Trainings (ASIST, safeTALK, suicide TALK, QPR)
Gatekeeper trainings are available at no cost to various community members, professionals and non-professionals in the state of Delaware. These trainings are all evidence based from the list of the governments Best Practice List. Gatekeepers are the network of responsible people who can respond to youth and college students showing signs of suicidal behavior. Gatekeeper trainers have the opportunity to be trained in several suicide intervention programs. Gatekeepers will be in youth dominant areas, including University of Delaware's Campus Connect Program which consists of student leaders and staff who are trained on suicide prevention.
ASIST
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), is a two-day workshop which enables the trainer to be willing, ready and able to provide emergency first aid to persons at risk of suicidal behavior. ASIST explores attitudes and helps the participants build suicide first aid skills through role playing, demonstrations and a variety of activities. ASIST can benefit mental health professionals, teachers, emergency service workers, counselors, various community members, non-professionals, and anyone who is concerned with family and/or friends. For more information on ASIST, visit www.livingworks.net.
QPR
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), is another Gatekeeper training program that is a 2 hr course to help individuals, family, and community members help those who may be considering suicide focusing on a 3 step intervention plan.
Suicide Talk
Suicide TALK is a community-oriented program which explores some of the most attitudinal issues, builds awareness, and encourages every member to find a part that they can play in preventing suicide. SuicideTALK is a community-oriented program exploring issues in suicide prevention. SuicideTALK is a 2-hour exploration in suicide awareness. Organized around the question, "Should we talk about suicide?" it provides a structure in which people can safely explore some of the most challenging attitudinal issues about suicide, and encourages every member to find a part that they can play in preventing suicide. SuicideTALK explores some of the most fundamental attitudinal issues about suicide and helps people to clarify their beliefs and examine the range of things they could do to help prevent suicide.
safeTALK
safeTALK is a 3 hour workshop for everyone in the community and is designed to ensure that persons with thoughts of suicide are connected to helpers who are prepared to provide first aid interventions. safeTALK is designed to be used in organizations and communities where there are already ASIST-trained caregivers. Suicide alert helpers are part of a suicide-safer community. Currently, there are over 750,000 people that have taken the ASIST workshop, with thousands more newly trained in safe TALK.
Please contact the Mental Health Association for more information on Gatekeeper Trainings at (302) 654-6833 ext. 20 or email acalla@mhainde.org
Teen Links!
www.getrightsideup.orgwww.halfofus.org
New Castle - (302) 577-2484 - Kent/Sussex - (800) 345-6785
or go the nearest hospital or emergency center, or call 911.