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QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

2020-2021 Call for Applications

Wisconsin Zero Suicide Training

Mental Health America of Wisconsin, with support through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services/Division of Care and Treatment Services, is inviting applications from eligible entities to participate in the 6^th Annual WI Zero Suicide Training and subsequent learning community.

Please see the Call for Applications for eligibility, training description, expectations, and more.

Learn more at Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Zero Suicide Training Opportunities>>

MHA of Wisconsin's Suicide Prevention Policy Priorities

Support School-Based Suicide Prevention

• Provide funding for school-based suicide prevention.
  • Signs of Suicide kits
  • Sources of Strength
  • Hope Squad
  • Provide grants to help implement behavioral health screenings to identify and intervene with students at risk.

Require Suicide Prevention Training

• 27 states, plus DC, require training for school personnel.
• 9 states require training for health professionals.

Reduce Access to Lethal Means

• Funds to purchase/disseminate gun locks or other safe storage equipment
• Lethal violence protection order (14 states)
• Background checks and waiting periods for handgun purchases

Increase the Mental Health Workforce

• Increase loan repayment programs.
• Support integration of behavioral health providers into primary care.

Support Local Coalitions

• Provide grants for coalitions/local health departments to increase public awareness and implement local programs.
• Provide funds to support administration of grant programs, if authorized, or to provide additional technical assistance to counties, coalitions, or provider agencies.

Prioritize Populations at Risk

• Provide funds for populations at disproportionate risk of suicide; e.g. Military/Veterans, LGBTQ+ youth, Men in the Middle Years, Native or AI/AN communities .

See the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's page on Populations here>>

Stay Tuned for More Task Force Updates via MHA eNewsletters

The Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention will hold hearings around the state to receive input from survivors, experts, advocates for suicide prevention, families who have been impacted and community members. Policy recommendations are expected to be made to Speaker Vos by this fall 2019.

For information about our current Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy, click here.>>

For information about Zero Suicide in Wisconsin, click here.>>

State Suicide Prevention Strategy

The Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy 2015 (WSPS) was unveiled at the annual Prevent Suicide Wisconsin (PSW) conference on April 29th. The new strategy replaces the one that was created in 2002 and is intentionally more targeted to achieve greater impact.

Local suicide prevention coalitions and others interested in suicide prevention are asked to consider how they can align their efforts to this new strategy. Upcoming changes to the PSW website will also align to the WSPS goals and objectives to facilitate access to information and resources.

Access the WSPS 2015 here >

Wisconsin Suicide Data

The Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin 2007-2011 (released 2014)

Suicide remains a significant public health problem in Wisconsin. The extraordinary costs of suicide are both economic and emotional. Suicidal behavior imposes a substantial financial burden on the families of decedents and results in lost productivity in the workforce. Moreover, the pain and suffering endured by friends, families, and communities affected by suicide are immeasurable.

The intention of this report is to provide an overview of the burden of suicide in Wisconsin using available data to community members and leaders, health professionals, and other suicide prevention stakeholders at the local and state levels. In addition, this report includes themes for prevention that are based on the analysis of suicide data, which will be incorporated into Wisconsin’s suicide prevention strategy.

Access the Burden of Suicide report here >

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training (Question, Persuade, Refer)

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training (Question, Persuade, Refer) is offered in partnership with Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee (PSGM). This training prepares people to recognize a potential suicide crisis and know how and where to find help. The training is approximately 1-1 ½ hours and is taught in a format that is applicable for a wide variety of audiences such as workplace staff/administrators, community youth groups, faith based groups, book clubs, school based leadership groups, clubs and sport teams, etc.

For information about this training, please visit www.preventsuicidemke.org or email info@preventsuicidemke.org.

Risk and Protective Factors

Risk factors are stressful events, situations, or conditions that exist in a person's life that may increase the likelihood of attempting or dying by suicide. There is no predictive list of a particular set of risk factors that spells imminent danger of suicide. It is important to understand that risk factors DO NOT cause suicide. Risk factors most strongly associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download more information.

Protective factors are the positive conditions and personal and social resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential for youth suicide as well as other high-risk behaviors. It is important to understand that protective factors do not prevent suicide. Protective factors associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download more information.

Impact of Trauma

Impact of Suicide on Youth & Families: The Ones We Miss curriculum 

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Mental Health Information - Suicide >>, Loss and Grief >>

Survivors Helping Survivors Support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide

Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey

September is Suicide Prevention Month! 

Learn more at www.preventsuicidewi.org/suicide-prevention-month.

Check out our calendar of events here>>