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