Suicide Awareness Symposium
Donation protected
Hello, my name is CynDee Jenkins, I am the Administrator for the Alaska Trauma Center and the Director of the Mat Su Coalition for Suicide Prevention.
In the Nation suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, however in Alaska it is the 5th leading cause of death. It is the number one cause of death in the ages of 15-34 and the 2nd leading cause in ages 35-54.
In the fall of 2014 Wasilla saw 5 deaths by suicide within 5 weeks, shortly after that a local social media news outlet decided to report every call that came through as an attempted suicide, the numbers were countless. The one that struck me the most was the call that came through where a 9 year old little boy had attempted to take his life. Right then my heart broke and I knew I had to do something.
So the Suicide Awareness Symposium was born.
The Suicide Awareness Symposium is a 4 day training event in suicide awareness , pre, inter and postvetion as well as a scientifically proven lifesaving screening tool that we are partnered with Columbia University to bring to Alaska.
Last year we held the 1st Annual Suicide Awareness Symposium where we trained several people in the areas of awareness, pre, inter and postvention suicide.
We were fortunate to have Adam Lesser the Deputy Director for the Center for Suicide Risk Assesment at Columbia University present to Alaska the C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale) We are very pleased to announce Adam has agreed to join us again this year.
The C-SSRS is proven to reduce suicide rates as well as reduce overcrowding in the mental health care system. Aside from the evidence based fact this tool is proven to reduce suicide rates the great part about it is it is 100% FREE. Columbia University does not charge a dime for the use or any training for this tool as well as any assistance needed for implementing the C-SSRS.
The Suicide Awareness Symposium is set up as follows:
*Day 1-
CISF-Suicide Awareness Training
Bonus-C-SSRS training
*Day 2-
Morning: Partners presenting programs that are in place and working to prevent suicide as well as other risk factors which can lead to death by suicide
Afternoon: Round table discussion on how to partner and implement programs locally to help reduce the risk of suicide
Evening: Dinner with special guest speaker Adam Lesser of Columbia University as well as entertainment and moment of silence to honor those lost to suicide
*Day 3-
Training: Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvention
*Day 4-
Training: Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvention
Last year on day 2 of the symposium we set 3 goals.
1) to form an active Suicide Prevention Coalition.
2) Introduce the C-SSRS to the Mat Su as well as throughout Alaska
3) Form a Survivors of Suicide Support Group
We are very proud to announce all 3 goals were achieved and we are looking forward to setting and attaining new goals at the 2016 Symposium.
We have exciting new ideas for the upcoming symposium and are looking forward to implementing new programs and partnerships to help save lives in the Mat Su Valley and throughout Alaska.
In the past the State of Alaska has paid individuals from out of state upwards of $40,000 to come speak to Alaskans about suicide in Alaska. We know that in order to understand suicide in Alaska you need to have lived in Alaska and have an understanding of the unique challenges that come with Alaskan living. That is why we have chosen the trainer we have for the Suicide Awareness Symposium.
Chaplain Bert McQueen is not only a life long Alaskan but an expert trainer recognized not only in Alaska but in the United States. With over 35 years of experience in training in suicide as well as crisis intervention Chaplain McQueen is a well respected expert in Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvetnion with rapport in rural communities throughout Alaska.
Our agenda at the Alaska Trauma Center and the Mat Su Coalition for Suicide prevention is to save lives in Alaska. We have a desire to train people in communities in Alaska and give them the tools needed to be aware of the signs of a suicidal person and how to properly assess and intervene.
Our goal is to have this event fully funded so all who wish to attend can attend free of charge.
These classes are college level courses with accredited contact hours.
We would appriciate your support in our life saving efforts.
Won't you please join us and show your support by helping us fund the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Symposium?
In the Nation suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, however in Alaska it is the 5th leading cause of death. It is the number one cause of death in the ages of 15-34 and the 2nd leading cause in ages 35-54.
In the fall of 2014 Wasilla saw 5 deaths by suicide within 5 weeks, shortly after that a local social media news outlet decided to report every call that came through as an attempted suicide, the numbers were countless. The one that struck me the most was the call that came through where a 9 year old little boy had attempted to take his life. Right then my heart broke and I knew I had to do something.
So the Suicide Awareness Symposium was born.
The Suicide Awareness Symposium is a 4 day training event in suicide awareness , pre, inter and postvetion as well as a scientifically proven lifesaving screening tool that we are partnered with Columbia University to bring to Alaska.
Last year we held the 1st Annual Suicide Awareness Symposium where we trained several people in the areas of awareness, pre, inter and postvention suicide.
We were fortunate to have Adam Lesser the Deputy Director for the Center for Suicide Risk Assesment at Columbia University present to Alaska the C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale) We are very pleased to announce Adam has agreed to join us again this year.
The C-SSRS is proven to reduce suicide rates as well as reduce overcrowding in the mental health care system. Aside from the evidence based fact this tool is proven to reduce suicide rates the great part about it is it is 100% FREE. Columbia University does not charge a dime for the use or any training for this tool as well as any assistance needed for implementing the C-SSRS.
The Suicide Awareness Symposium is set up as follows:
*Day 1-
CISF-Suicide Awareness Training
Bonus-C-SSRS training
*Day 2-
Morning: Partners presenting programs that are in place and working to prevent suicide as well as other risk factors which can lead to death by suicide
Afternoon: Round table discussion on how to partner and implement programs locally to help reduce the risk of suicide
Evening: Dinner with special guest speaker Adam Lesser of Columbia University as well as entertainment and moment of silence to honor those lost to suicide
*Day 3-
Training: Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvention
*Day 4-
Training: Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvention
Last year on day 2 of the symposium we set 3 goals.
1) to form an active Suicide Prevention Coalition.
2) Introduce the C-SSRS to the Mat Su as well as throughout Alaska
3) Form a Survivors of Suicide Support Group
We are very proud to announce all 3 goals were achieved and we are looking forward to setting and attaining new goals at the 2016 Symposium.
We have exciting new ideas for the upcoming symposium and are looking forward to implementing new programs and partnerships to help save lives in the Mat Su Valley and throughout Alaska.
In the past the State of Alaska has paid individuals from out of state upwards of $40,000 to come speak to Alaskans about suicide in Alaska. We know that in order to understand suicide in Alaska you need to have lived in Alaska and have an understanding of the unique challenges that come with Alaskan living. That is why we have chosen the trainer we have for the Suicide Awareness Symposium.
Chaplain Bert McQueen is not only a life long Alaskan but an expert trainer recognized not only in Alaska but in the United States. With over 35 years of experience in training in suicide as well as crisis intervention Chaplain McQueen is a well respected expert in Suicide Pre, Inter and Postvetnion with rapport in rural communities throughout Alaska.
Our agenda at the Alaska Trauma Center and the Mat Su Coalition for Suicide prevention is to save lives in Alaska. We have a desire to train people in communities in Alaska and give them the tools needed to be aware of the signs of a suicidal person and how to properly assess and intervene.
Our goal is to have this event fully funded so all who wish to attend can attend free of charge.
These classes are college level courses with accredited contact hours.
We would appriciate your support in our life saving efforts.
Won't you please join us and show your support by helping us fund the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Symposium?
Organizer
CynDee Jenkins
Organizer
Wasilla, AK
