';
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce that the latest edition of the Positive Approaches Journal is now available!
Safe Spaces, Strong Supports: Multifaceted Approaches to Suicide Prevention
and Mental Well-being
This issue of the Positive Approaches Journal focuses important attention on the often under-recognized topic of suicide and individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Knowledge brings new understanding, and new understanding brings new opportunities to be hopeful about better addressing the impact of suicidal thoughts and actions. In this issue, authors from a diverse range of voices, expertise, and professional backgrounds share their insights, experiences and resources which will aid in your support of others.
To print a copy of the PDF, online journal, or a specific article, you will find these options within your left navigation bar on any Positive Approaches Journal page. A new window will open with your selected document. In your browser, you may click the Print button in the top left corner of the page, or by using the Print capability within your browser.
Please submit feedback regarding your experience with the Positive Approaches Journal on MyODP by clicking on the feedback image on MyODP within your left navigation bar on any Positive Approaches Journal page.
The Positive Approaches Journal is published quarterly. You can request additional information electronically.
The Jana Marie Foundation, Aevidum, Prevent Suicide PA, Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), STAR-Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Prevention Grant are pleased to share a resource guide for communities for National Suicide Prevention Month. Within the month of September, the week of September 10–16 is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Week, with Sunday, September 10 marking World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme is “Creating Hope Through Action.”
The resource guide provides examples of activities that you can implement in your organization or community to raise awareness of the importance of suicide prevention. This includes ideas for events, training, social media posts, virtual backgrounds, a sample proclamation, and more.
Please feel free to share this resource guide with partners in your communities that can work together to create hope and prevent suicide.
If you have any questions, please follow up with Perri Rosen or RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.
Message from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing:
Last week we reached out asking you to write to your congressional representatives in support of the 988 Implementation Act. We wanted to pop back into your inbox with a critical opportunity we have to expand the network connecting people to mental health and substance use care across the country.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has successfully served millions of people. But there is more work to do, and we need your support to do it. Support from you and your representative will go a long way that our crisis care system provides people in every community with someone to respond and somewhere to go if we hope to fulfill the promise of 988.
As a reminder it will only take 2 minutes to show your support. Here is why it’s paramount that your representatives support this legislation, 988 Implementation Act:
Contact your Congressional Representatives and urge them to support the 988 Implementation Act. By strengthening, and raising awareness for current resources, and building capacity at the state level for these on the ground crisis services, this legislation will make a difference, and save the lives of your friends, neighbors, and community members in crisis. Time is of the essence. Act today, and together we can strengthen the crisis care continuum.
Thank you for your advocacy.
Sincerely,
Rachel Abraham
Federal Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing
This webinar series is being provided by the GLS Youth Suicide Prevention Team in collaboration with The COVID-19 Emergency Response Suicide Prevention & National Strategy For Suicide Prevention Grant Team.
Suicide Risk Assessment for Mental Health Professionals
Safety Planning for Mental Health Professionals
Family Engagement for Mental Health Professionals
Postvention Training for Schools and Community Behavioral Health Partners
Lethal Means Reduction for Mental Health Professionals