FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

November2016NewsletterFLORIDASUICIDEPREVENTIONCOALITION

Astatewide,grassrootsorganizationofsurvivors,crisiscenters,&interestedcitizens

WHATDIDSHESAY?

“Ihopetocollaboratewithasmanyagenciesaspossibletobringmentalhealtheducationandresourcestothoseincrisisandtosupporttothosethatarehealingfromaloss.“TaraSullivan,FSPCRegion7Director

NEWSWORTHYUSOfficeofVeteranAffairs,OfficeofPublicandIntergovernmentalAffairsPublishedJuly7,2016,09:56:00AM

VAConductsNation’sLargestAnalysisofVeteranSuicide

WASHINGTON—TheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs(VA)hasundertakenthemostcomprehensiveanalysisofVeteransuicideratesintheU.S.,examiningover55millionVeteranrecordsfrom1979to2014fromeverystateinthenation.TheeffortextendsVA’sknowledgefromthepreviousreportissuedfrom2012,whichexaminedthreemillionVeteranrecordsfrom20stateswereavailable.Basedonthe2012data,VAestimatedthenumberofVeterandeathsbysuicideaveraged22perday.Thecurrentanalysisindicatesthatin2014,anaverageof20Veteransadaydiedfromsuicide.

“OneVeteransuicideisonetoomany,andthiscollaborativeeffortprovidesbothupdatedandcomprehensivedatathatallowsustomakebetterinformeddecisionsonhowtopreventthisnationaltragedy,”saidVAUnderSecretaryforHealth,Dr.DavidJ.Shulkin.“WeasanationmustfocusonbringingthenumberofVeteransuicidestozero."

FSPC REGIONAL DIRECTORS

R1 Rachelle S. Burns (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton) R2 Pam Mezzina (Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf Homes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Washington) R3 Ali Martinez (Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee, Union) R4 Lisa Zeller (Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns) R5 Elizabeth A. Lurie (DeSoto, Pinellas, Sarasota) R6 Betsey Westuba (Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco) R7 Tara Sullivan (Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole) R8 Sue Opheim (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee) R9 Doris Carroll (Palm Beach) R10 Rene Barrett (Broward) R11 Elizabeth Quizena (Dade, Monroe) R12 Kelly Sousa (Flagler, Volusia) R13 Judy Broward (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter) R14 Betsey Westuba (Hardee, Highlands, Polk) R15 Doris Carroll (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie)

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

Thefinalreportwillbepubliclyreleasedlaterthismonth.Keyfindingsoftheanalysiswillinclude:

• 65%ofallVeteranswhodiedfromsuicidein2014were50yearsofageorolder.

• Veteransaccountedfor18%ofalldeathsfromsuicideamongU.S.adults.Thisisadecreasefrom22%in2010.

• Since2001,U.S.adultciviliansuicidesincreased23%,whileVeteransuicidesincreased32%inthesametimeperiod.Aftercontrollingforageandgender,thismakesthe

riskofsuicide21%greaterforVeterans.• Since2001,therateofsuicideamongUSVeteranswhouseVAservicesincreasedby

8.8%,whiletherateofsuicideamongVeteranswhodonotuseVAservicesincreasedby38.6%.

o Inthesametimeperiod,therateofsuicideamongmaleVeteranswhouseVAservicesincreased11%,whiletherateofsuicideincreased35%amongmaleVeteranswhodonotuseVAservices.

o Inthesametimeperiod,therateofsuicideamongfemaleVeteranswhouseVAservicesincreased4.6%,whiletherateofsuicideincreased98%amongfemaleVeteranswhodonotuseVAservices.

PleasealsoseeourSuicidePreventionFactSheetatthefollowinglink:http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/Suicide_Prevention_FactSheet_New_VA_Stats_070616_1400.pdfVAisaggressivelyundertakinganumberofnewmeasurestopreventsuicide,including:

• Ensuringsame-dayaccessforVeteranswithurgentmentalhealthneedsatover1,000pointsofcarebytheendofcalendaryear2016.Infiscalyear2015,morethan1.6millionVeteransreceivedmentalhealthtreatmentfromVA,includingatover150medicalcenters,820community-basedoutpatientclinicsand300VetCentersthatprovidereadjustmentcounseling.VeteransalsoenterVAhealthcarethroughtheVeteransCrisisLine,VAstaffoncollegeanduniversitycampuses,orotheroutreachpoints.

• UsingpredictivemodelingtodeterminewhichVeteransmaybeathighestriskofsuicide,soproviderscaninterveneearly.Veteransinthetop0.1%ofrisk,whohavea43-foldincreasedriskofdeathfromsuicidewithinamonth,canbeidentifiedbeforeclinicalsignsofsuicideareevidentinordertosavelivesbeforeacrisisoccurs.

• ExpandingtelementalhealthcarebyestablishingfournewregionaltelementalhealthhubsacrosstheVAhealthcaresystem.

• Hiringover60newcrisisinterventionrespondersfortheVeteransCrisisLine.Eachresponderreceivesintensivetrainingonawidevarietyoftopicsincrisisintervention,substanceusedisorders,screening,briefintervention,andreferraltotreatment.

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

• BuildingnewcollaborationsbetweenVeteranprogramsinVAandthoseworkingincommunitysettings,suchasGiveanHour,PsychArmorInstitute,UniversityofMichigan’sPeerAdvisorsforVeteransEducationProgram(PAVE),andtheCohenVeteransNetwork.

• Creatingstrongerinter-agency(e.g.SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration,DepartmentofDefense,NationalInstitutesofHealth)andnewpublic-privatepartnerships(e.g.,Johnson&JohnsonHealthcareSystem,BristolMyersSquibbFoundation,Walgreen’s,andmanymore)focusedonpreventingsuicideamongVeterans.

ManyoftheseeffortswerecatalyzedbyVA’sFebruary2016PreventingVeteranSuicide—ACalltoActionsummit,whichfocusedonimprovingmentalhealthcareaccessforVeteransacrossthenationandincreasingresourcesfortheVASuicidePreventionProgram.

SuicideisanissuethataffectsallAmericans.RecentCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)datareportedinApril2016thatfrom1999through2014(themostrecentyearwithdataavailablefromCDC),suicideratesincreased24%inthegeneralpopulationforbothmalesandfemales.VAhasimplementedcomprehensive,broadrangingsuicidepreventioninitiatives,includingatoll-freeVeteransCrisisLine,placementofSuicidePreventionCoordinatorsatallVAMedicalCentersandlargeoutpatientfacilities,andimprovementsincasemanagementandtracking.Immediatehelpisavailableatwww.VeteransCrisisLine.netorbycallingtheCrisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or texting 838255. INFOCUSGettoknowaRegionalDirectororOfficeralittlebetterineachnewsletter.

LisaZeller:FSPCRegion4Director(Baker,Clay,Duval,Nassau,St.Johns).LisawasborninIndianabutgrewupinFloridaandhaslivedherenearlyallherlife.Lisalikestocreatejewelry,mosaics,andstainedglass;sheenjoysmusic,cooking,gardening,andanythingoutside.LisaiscurrentlytheChiefoftheFloridaDepartmentofLawEnforcementCrimeLaboratoryinJacksonville.Additionally,sheservedasGuardianAdLitem,advocatingfortherightsofabusedandneglectedchildreninourstatefrom1998-2004.

LisalostherhusbandonThanksgiving2004.Theyhadbeenmarriedforsevenyearswithtwochildrenwhowere6and4atthetime.Lisapresentedherstoryat“LightingtheDarkness”inTallahasseeduringSuicideAwarenessweekin2012.Subsequently,LisawasapproachedandaskedifshewouldbewillingtoconsiderservingasoneoftwoFSPCViceChairs.Aftercarefulconsideration,sheagreedandsubsequentlybecameViceChair.AsamemberofFSPC,Lisawouldliketobringawarenesstotheeffectsofsuicideonlovedonesandtohopefullyhelpdispelsomeofthestigmasthatsurroundthistragicevent.LisaisactivelyinvolvedinFSPChavingservedasFSPCViceChairfrom2012untilMayofthisyear(2016).SheiscontinuingtovolunteerasRegion4RegionalDirectorandhasfulfilledthisrolesince2014.

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

AMOTHER’SJOURNEYFridayNovember11thisVeteran’sDay.MyrticeLanders,motherofanArmyReservistandarecentsurvivorofherson’ssuicide,writesaboutherlossandherexperienceattheTragedyAssistanceProgramforSurvivors(TAPS)NationalMilitarySuicideSurvivorSeminarandGoodGriefCampheldSeptember30-October3,2016attheTradewindsResort,St.PeteBeach.

June2015wewerenotifiedofourson'ssuicide.Derekwasayoungmanwhobrightenedaroomwithhissmile.Wesoonlearnedthatadiseasewaseatingawayathimfromtheinside.Unknowntous,Derekwasbattlingdepression.Our27year-oldsonwasanenlistedsoliderintheUnitedStatesArmyReservesince2006.Heexhibitedazealtoserveandhelpothersthroughouthislife.Irecallwewitnessedacaraccident.Beforewecouldsay"wow",Derekjumpedoutthecarandrantothescene.Dereklovedfamily.Ismileaslrecallhishugs.Evenasanadulthefreelyshowedhisaffection

withhugs.Hewasfullofcompliments.Yes,manyfemalessharedthatDerek'sgreetingwas“Hibeautiful.”Itmadeyousmile.Hewascompetitiveandcommittedtoexercising,crosstraining,andrunning.Oursonwashandsomeandgavegreatattentiontohisstylishappearance.InspiteofHisloveforGod,family,havingagoodtime,hebecameengulfedbylife'scircumstances.Hisdecisiontowithdrawfromthisliferesultedintotaldevastationtofamilyandfriends.Nosuicidenote.AsheleftthatSundaymorning(finaldayofhistwo-weeksummermilitarytraining),hesaidgoodbyetohisdad.Nothingunusualinhisbehavior.Thestruggleofthegriefconnectedmewithmilitaryresourcestoassistinthegrievingprocess.AmentorfromTAPScalled,expressedhercondolences,sharedherstoryregardingtheson'ssuicideandcontinuedtocounselwithme.ThementorhighlyrecommendedIattendtheTragedyAssistanceProgramforSurvivors(TAPS)seminar.Lookingforanswers,understanding,asupportgroup,IregisteredfortheTAPSseminar.TheTAPSseminarwasawesome.Asafirsttimeattendee,therewereopportunitiestoattendsmallsharinggroupsandinformationalworkshops.Iwantedtowritemystoryandworkshopswereprovidedtoassistwiththisprocess.Itotallyappreciatedhavingarelaxing,therapeutictimetoreflect,unwind,explore(unveil)mycreativeskillsandfellowshipwithothersurvivors.Therewasa'care'roomthatwasabsolutelydivine.Soifyoufeltoverwhelmed,neededtocry,neededcounseling,orjustahug...thecareroom.Theambience,comfyseating,chocolatecandy,counselors,andsoforthsettheatmosphereto'regroup'.Ididn'tfindanystrangers.Theattendeeswerewarm,opentoshare,opentolisten,andopentocomfort.Yes,thefoodwasmagnificent.Theseminarendedwithdesigningalanternforyourlovedoneandsettingitafloat.Notafarewellbutanoteoflove...amessagetoDerek.MILITARYSUICIDESUPPORTSERVICESATTRAGEDYASSISTANCEPROGRAMFOR

SURVIVORS(TAPS)CarlaStumpf-Patton,EdD,LMHC,NCC,FT,CCTPManager,SuicideSurvivorServices(TAPS)WhenaddressingmilitarysuicidepreventionandpostventionprogramsforU.S.servicemembers,veterans,andmilitaryfamilies,theTragedyAssistanceProgramforSurvivors(TAPS)istheleadingorganizationatprovidinglong-termassistanceandemotional,caringsupporttoallthosegrievingthedeathofalovedonewhohaveservedinourArmedForces.

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

Asayoungmilitaryspouse,mylifewaschangedforeveronOctober31,1994,whenmyhusband,Sgt.RichardStumpf,whowasa24year-oldMarineCorpsDrillInstructor,diedbysuicidejustdaysbeforeourfirstchildwasduetobeborn,andseveraldayslateronthedayofhisfuneral,Igavebirthtoourson.Feelingisolated,overwhelmedanddisconnected,IhadnoideainthoseearlymomentshowIwouldsurviveorhowthiswouldlatercometoimpactmylife,butIknewthatIneededtoconnectwithpeoplewhounderstoodmylossandtosomehowfindawayIcouldcontinuetohonormyconnectionasamilitaryfamilymember.EverythingIneededallthoseyearsagoiswhatTAPSofferseverydaytobereavedsurvivors.Forlovedoneswhohaveexperiencedamilitarysuicide,itcanbecomfortingtoknowTAPShasanentireprogrambuiltby,andcreatedfor,suicidelosssurvivors,andwhereIamproudtomanageoursuicidesurvivorservices.AtTAPS,weunderstandthedevastationofsuicideloss,specificallywithinthemilitaryculture.Youarenotaloneandweareheretowalkalongsideyou,andoffercomfortandhelp.OursuicidesurvivorsarewelcomeatallTAPSeventsforfamiliesofourfallenandwehaveservicestomeettheseneeds,suchasoursuicidelossforumswhichincludepeersupportprograms,services,eventsandresources.Inadditiontosurvivorservicessuchascaseworksupport,educationalassistance,andreferralsforfreeandunlimitedcounseling,TAPSsurvivorsareinvitedtoparticipateinforumswheretheycanconnectwithfellowpeers,suchasseminars,retreats,expeditions,marathonsandsocialmedia.Additionally,TAPSisattheforefrontofmilitarysuicidepreventioneffortswithallbranchesofthemilitary,andworkscloselywithmilitaryleadership,casualtydepartments,andtheDepartmentofDefenseSuicidePreventionOffice.Since1994,TAPShasprovidedcomfortandhope,24hoursaday,sevendaysaweektosurvivingfamiliesandlovedonesatnocostthroughanationalpeersupportnetwork,connectiontogriefresources,andassistedover60,000survivingfamilymembers,caregivers,casualtyofficers,andmilitarycommands.Ifyouaresufferingthelossofamilitarylovedone,orifyouknowsomeonewhocanbenefitfromoursupport,pleasecallourtoll-freeNationalMilitarySurvivorHelplineat:1-800-959-TAPS(8277).Dr.CarlaStumpf-PattonmanagesSuicideSurvivorServicesatTAPSasasubjectmatterexpertingrief,trauma,andsuicide.SheholdsaB.S.inPsychology,aM.A.inClinicalMentalHealthCounseling,andaDoctorateofEducationinCounselingPsychology.SheisaLicensedMentalHealthCounselor,NationalCertifiedCounselor,CertifiedFellowThanatologist,andCertifiedClinicalTraumaProfessional.Dr.Stumpf-PattonisthesurvivingspouseofU.S.M.C.DrillInstructorSgt.Stumpfwhodiedbysuicidein1994,severaldaysbeforetheironlychildwasborn.RESEARCHFORTHERESTOFUS

Sometimesimportantresearchisfilledwithjargon,ishardtounderstand,ordoesn’tseemtomakesense.We’vetriedtosummarizeresearchincommonEnglishlanguage.MilitaryandVeteranSuicidesareassociatedwithbeingmale,previousmentalhealthconditions(i.e.,depression,manic-depressivedisorder),andsubstanceuse(i.e.,

alcohol-relatedproblems).

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

In2005,activedutymilitarysuicideratesbegantorisesignificantly.ResearchersinvestigatedfactorsassociatedwiththeseincreasingratesofsuicideintheU.S.military.Participantswerearandomsampleofactive,Reserve,andNationalGuardmembersinallmilitarybranchesthathadservedfromOctober2000throughDecember2008.Onceenrolledinthestudy,participantsweresurveyedabouttheirmental,behavioral,andfunctionalhealtheverythreeyearsregardlessoftheircurrentmilitarystatus.Oftheover151,000participants,83diedbysuicideduringoraftermilitaryservice.

Theresearchersdiscoveredthatsuicideriskwasassociatedwithbeingmaleandhavingmentaldisorders(i.e.,manic-depressivedisorder,depression,alcohol-relatedproblems).Somewhatsurprisingly,researchersinthisstudyfoundnoassociationbetweensuicideriskandmilitary-specificdeploymentvariables(i.e.,combatexperience,total/combinednumberofdaysdeployed,frequencyofdeployments);thosewhoweredeployedinsupportofOperationIraqiFreedomandOperationEnduringFreedomwerenotmorelikelytodiebysuicidethanthosewhowerenotdeployed.

Theresearchersconcludedthatweshouldcontinuetosupportpreventionprogramsformilitarypersonnelwithpreviousmentalhealthdisorders,screenforbehavioralhealthissues,andfacilitatehigh-qualitytreatmentformentalandsubstanceusedisordersinprimarycare,specialtymentalhealthcare,andpost-deploymentsettings.Additionally,theresearcherscallfornewandongoingresearchintopreventionandprogrameffectiveness.(SummarybyStephenRoggenbaum&YaritzaCarmona)LeardMann,C.A.,Powell,T.M.,Smith,T.C.,Bell,M.R.,Smith,B.,Boyko,E.J.,...Hoge,C.W.(2013).RiskfactorsassociatedwithsuicideincurrentandformerUSmilitarypersonnel.JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,310(5),496-506.doi:10.1001/jama.2013.65164WHAT’SHAPPENING

SaturdayNovember19,2016isInternationalSurvivorsofSuicideLossDay.SurvivorDaysupportspeopleaffectedbysuicidelosswhogatheratlocalcommunityeventstofindcomfortandgainunderstandingastheysharestoriesofhealingandhope.GatheringsincludeascreeningofLifeJourneys:ReclaimingLifeafterLoss,anew

AFSP-producedSurvivorDaydocumentarythattracesthegriefandhealingjourneythatfollowsasuicidelossovertime.Eventsmayalsoincludepresentationsbylosssurvivorsandmentalhealthprofessionals,aswellassmallgroupdiscussionsthatbringtogetherpeoplewhohaveexperiencedsimilarlosses.TenFloridaeventsarecurrentlyscheduled,searchat:https://afsp.org/find-support/ive-lost-someone/survivor-day/#section2

December2–4thNAMIFloridaAnnualConference:NoMoreTime:DecriminalizationofMentalIllnessatSheratonSuites,4400W.CypressStreet,Tampa.Registerathttp://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eaizp0sl20597b04&llr=usms7ycab

April6,2017SavetheDate:SuicidePreventionDayattheCapitol.Advocacyevent(Tallahassee)

April4&5,2017SavetheDate:FSPC2017SecondAnnualFloridaTakingActionforSuicidePreventionMini-Conference.Two-halfdaymini-conference(Tallahassee).

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

THEINHARM’SWAYSTORYDonnaG.Schulz,LawEnforcementCoordinationManager(ret.),U.S.Attorney’sOffice,MiddleDistrictofFloridaThereisabrutaltruthinlawenforcement...thatanofficerismorelikelytobeavictimofsuicidethanahomicide.Moreofficersdiefromsuicidethanfromline-of-dutydeaths,yetlittleisbeingdonetoaddressthishighlypreventableloss.Ihaveexperiencedthisfirsthand,thehardway.Onthemorningof

March8,1995,myhusband,FBISpecialAgentBruceSchulz,tookhisownlife.Thisvital,strong,proud,capablemanof45yearscouldnolongertakethepain.Hediedinhisboxershorts,unabletoevengetdressed.Likesomanyofficers,hewasourfamily’srock…agoodhusband,father,andson;astrongmarineandlawenforcementofficer;atrulygreatman.Heservedhiscountrysincehewas17,firstasaMarineinVietNam,thenasaTallahasseePoliceOfficerandInvestigator,andfinallyasanFBIAgentworkinginForeignCounterIntelligence.FBIDirectorLouieFreehcalledBrucean“AmericanHero”athismemorialserviceinWashington,DC,yetthisvibrant,powerfulmannolongerwasabletolive.Outofthishorrificevent,Imadeapromise...thathemustnothavediedinvain...thatoutofhislife’sstoryotherofficerscouldbesaved.Itisawell-knownfactthatlawenforcementofficers(LEOs)donothesitatetorollback-upandprotecttheirfellowofficerswhentheyareindanger–evenifitputstheirownlivesatrisk.Butthestigmaandtabooattachedtopsychologicalandmentalhealthissueswithinthelawenforcementcommunitypreventofficersfromtakingaction.Bruce’ssupervisorandfellowagentsknewthatsomethingwaswrong,andyettheydidnothing.Theydidnotknowwhattodoandhesitatedtogetinvolved.Therewasnowheretoturnforhelp,andIdidn’tknowwhattodobecauseoftheundercoverworldinwhichwelived.

AsIcametogripswiththisincrediblelossand,asaformerTallahasseePoliceOfficer/Sergeantmyself,Imadeacommitmenttodoeverythingpossibletoerasethestigmaofreachingoutforhelp;toeducateLEOsontheimportanceofstressmanagement;tochangeagencyprotocols,policiesandprocedures;and,todevelopandprovidetrainingforAmerica’sFinest.

Suicideisthelaststepinanongoing,innerstrugglethatcanbepreventedwithknowledgeandthewillingnesstohelp.StepscanbetakentointerveneandprovideassistancetotheLEObeforesuicidebecomestheanswer.Suicidepreventioniseveryone’sbusinessandwithamodicumoftraining,anyonecansavealife.Unfortunately,lawenforcementhasbeenturningablindeyetoitsownofficers,allowingthemtosufferinsilence,notdeliberately,butthroughanunwillingnesstoadmitthereisanissue.ThestigmaofreachingoutforhelppreventsLEOsfromgettingthemuchneededhelp.Theyareafraidofbeingseenasweak,afraidoflosingtheirbadgeandgun,afraidofbeingalienatedfromtheirpeersandafraidofbeingputonarubbergunsquad.Theyareproblemsolversandareusedtobeingincontrol;thus,theycannotcopewiththeinabilitytosolvetheirownproblems,sufferingfrompost-traumaticstressand/ormajordepressionwhilecontinuingtoservetheircommunity.Theagencyisafraidofliability,afraidoftheimpactonthedepartment,afraidthe

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

survivorswillnotreceiveanybenefits.Andyet,thoughthecausesarecomplexandmulti-factorial,suicideispreventable.Thus,theraceisbetweeneducationandtragedy.ThroughapartnershipbetweentheFloridaRegionalCommunityPolicingInstituteatSt.PetersburgCollegeandtheUnitedStatesAttorney’sOffice,MiddleDistrictofFlorida,wedevelopedandbegantoofferaseriesoftrainingseminars,INHARM’SWAY:TacticsforPsychologicalSurvivalinLawEnforcement(IHW).ExpertsinthefieldhaveservedasspeakersandhelpedusdevelopourIHWinitiative.ThefirstIHWtrainingwasheldin2001attheUniversityofTampa.Theenthusiasmandinterestwereoverwhelming.LEOswerethirstingforthisknowledge.AfterlearningaboutthesuccessfulAirForcesuicidepreventionmodel,theUSAFCommandant'smotto,“Ittakescouragetoaskforhelp.BeCourageous!”becameourmantra.GovernorJebBushfundedanIHWStatewideConferenceforallFlorida’slawenforcementin2007,aswellasthedevelopmentoftheIHWToolkit,completewitharesourceCDand“RollingBack-Up”CDwithroll-callandin-servicevideos,whichwasdisseminatedfreetoeverystateandlocallawenforcementagency.TheU.S.DepartmentofJustice,BureauofJusticeAssistancebeganfundingournationalINHARM’SWAYinitiativein2009.Superbtrainersandspeakersprovidethisnationaltrainingbutalsoofferregionaltrainingseminarsandtraining-of-trainers(TOT)workshops,alongwithFireFighterTOTs,CorrectionOfficerstraining,CriticalIncidentPeerSupporttrainingand,workingwiththeUSDOJCOPSOffice,wearedevelopingmaterialsandtrainingforLEOfamilies.ThroughthesefreetrainingopportunitiesandtheresourcematerialsprovidedinthefreeIHWToolkit,agenciescanhelpsolvetheseproblemsthatplagueourcolleagues,andLEOscanresumetheircareersandtheirlivesbeforeitistoolate.Itistimetotakeastandandmakeacommitmenttoaidanofficerinneed–AIDLIFE.Wearecommitted.Wehopeyouare,too.Together,wecanassurethatthefreetraining,programs,andresourcesareinplace(inFloridaandnationally)tohelpourofficers.Wecanencourageourofficerstogetvoluntaryannualmentalhealthcheckupsanderasethestigmaofreachingoutforhelpbytalkingaboutit.Wecanachieveourgoaltoensurethatourofficersnotonlylive,butlivebetter,morepositiveandproductivelivesbothonandoffthejob.Wecaninstillthemantra:“Ittakescouragetoaskforhelp.BeCourageous!”RESOURCES

Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowisincrisis,pleasecall1-800-273-8255(NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline)

CrisisTextLine–text“start”to741-741

Veteran’sCrisisLine1-800-273-8255,press1&https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

St.PetersburgCollege’sInHarm’sWaywebpage,PoliceSuicide.SPCollege.eduprovidesresources(i.e.,research,modelprotocolsandpolicies,information&supportprogramsavailabletoofficersandagencies)thatcanbeindividualizedandusedtopresent

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

academyandin-serviceLawEnforcementSuicidePreventionAwarenessTraining.Informationonrequestingfreetrainingsisavailableatthesite.

MakeTheConnectionisanonlineresourcedesignedtoconnectVeterans,theirfamilymembersandfriends,andothersupporterswithinformation,resources,andsolutionstoissuesaffectingtheirlives.http://maketheconnection.net/what-is-mtc

TelephoneCoachingforFamiliesofVeterans-CoachingIntoCare.CoachingintoCareassistsfamilymembersandfriendsinhelpingaVeteranseekcare.CoachingIntoCareprovidesamotivational“coaching”serviceforfamilyandfriendsofVeteranswhoseethataVeteranintheirlifeneedshelp.CoachinginvolveshelpingthecallerfigureouthowtomotivatetheVeterantoseekservices.Theserviceisfreeandprovidedbylicensedclinicalsocialworkersandpsychologists.http://www.va.gov/coachingintocare

ListofVAhealthcarefacilities,VetCenters,theirlocalSuicidePreventionCoordinators.VeteransandinterestedpartiescanfindacompletelistofVAhealthcarefacilities,VetCenters,theirlocalSuicidePreventionCoordinators,andotherresourcesundertheresourcesectionofwww.veteranscrisisline.netoratwww.va.gov

TragedyAssistanceProgramforSurvivors,Inc(TAPS),CaringfortheFamiliesofourFallenHeroes.TAPSofferscomfortandhelp.SuicidesurvivorsarewelcomeatallTAPSeventsforfamiliesofourfallen.TAPShostsasuicidelosschateachmonthandholdsanannualgatheringforsuicidesurvivorsinthefall.http://www.taps.org/suicide/

ProjectChildSafe®iscommittedtopromotingfirearmssafetyamongfirearmsownersthroughthedistributionofsafetyeducationmessagesandfreefirearmSafetyKits[cable-stylegun-lockingdeviceandaninformationalbrochure(alsoinSpanish)].FindFloridaLawEnforcementpartnerstoinquireaboutafreeSafetyKitfromProjectChildSafe.http://www.projectchildsafe.org/safety/safety-kit/Florida

Harvard’sMeansMatterispartoftheHarvardInjuryControlResearchCenter(HarvardSchoolofPublicHealth),dedicatedtoreducinginjurythroughtraining,research,intervention,evaluation,anddissemination.TheCenterhaspublishedhundredsofstudiesoninjurytopicsrangingfrommotorvehiclecrashestoalcoholusetoyouthviolenceandsuicide.https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/means-matter/

Florida’sStatewideOfficeofSuicidePrevention(DCF):http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/mental-health/suicide-prevention

NationalActionAllianceforSuicidePrevention:ThePublic-PrivatePartnershipAdvancingtheNationalStrategyforSuicidePrevention:http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/resources

IstherealocalNAMIChapterinmyarea?http://www.nami.org/Local-NAMI?state=FL

ControlledSubstancePublicDisposalLocations.Properdisposalofexpireddrugsorunusedmedicationscanbeaneffectivesuicidepreventiontoolbyeliminatingaccesstolethalmeans.Manycommunity-baseddrugtake-backprogramsofferthebestoptionfordisposal.Fordisposallocationshttps://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s3

FSPCNovember2016Newsletter

ANEXTRAHELPING...AdditionalinformationforInHarm’sWay.InHarm’sWayisafederallyfundedprogramthatofferstrainingseminarsandworkshopsnationallyonsuicideprevention.TheInHarm’sWaywebpage,PoliceSuicide.SPCollege.edu,offersaplethoraofresources,reproduciblematerials,articleswithvaryingviewpoints,statisticsandopinionsfromwhichreaderscanformtheirownconclusionsonthemagnitudeofthelawenforcementsuicideproblem,itscausesandthebestapproachestofindingasolution.Statisticsareskewedduetothefactthatagenciesarenotrequiredtocatalogandreportsuicidecasesand,therefore,frequentlyagenciesdonotrecordsuicidesassuchduetoavarietyofreasons.ThoselawenforcementsuicidestatisticsthatappeartobemostvalidarefoundintheworkofJohnM.Violanti,Ph.D.,PoliceSuicide:EpidemicinBlue,andAndyO’Hara,BadgeofLife,TrackingPoliceSuicides2008,2009.TheInHarm’sWaytraining-oftrainersislistedontheSuicidePreventionResourceCenter’sBestPracticeRegistry(http://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/harm%E2%80%99s-way-law-enforcement-suicide-prevention).DonnaSchulzandotherIHWexpertsservedassubjectmatterexpertsonthedevelopmentoftheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPolice(IACP)initiative“BreakingtheSilenceonLawEnforcementSuicidePrevention.”FSPCMEMBERSHIPNewFSPCMembershiporRenewalinformationavailableonlineat:

http://www.floridasuicideprevention.org/membership.htm