Youth Suicide Prevention Public Service Campaign Launched
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, along with the Ad Council and the Inspire USA Foundation, launched a new Teen Suicide Prevention national public service campaign. The public service announcement (PSA) campaign—We Can Help Us—empowers teens by reminding them that there are ways to get through whatever problems they face. The campaign includes TV, radio and print advertising, and mall and in-school posters and viral videos. The reachout.com web site features stories from teens, as well as tips to help cops with tough issues and links to rsources, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for teens who need immediate help. 

Scranton (Pa.) Suicide Prevention Initiative Takes Message to Masses
A national awareness-raising tour for suicide prevention called the Pick Up The Phone Tour launched in Scranton earlier this month. A local Honda dealership provided a vehicle for the cross-country tour, which features the band Blue October and will continue on to 17 cities.

Penn State Altoona Begins Online Training for Campus Gatekeepers
In 2008, Penn State Altoona received a Campus Suicide Prevention Grant from SAMHSA and is using the funds to set up web-based gatekeeper trainings for faculty and staff. A online gaming program is being used. Much like in the online world of Second Life and on video game consoles like the Nintendo Wii, students will use an avatar. But they won't be playing a game—they'll be learning to communicate with at-risk students. Read more...

Through its Health and Wellness Center web site, Penn State Altoona also provides resources on managing stress and emotions. Including on the web site is a video about suicide prevention and an online anonymous screening tool for students which provides recommendations based on the results of the screening. 

Third Annual Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Conference
The theme of the Third Annual Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Conference, held September 15-16, 2009 in State College, was "Creating Healthy Communities." Approximately 200 people attended the conference which featured presentations addressing suicide prevention issues for youth, adults and older adults. HIghlights of the conference included a panel of survivors of suicide sharing in a general session, a meeting focusing on the work of several county suicide prevention task forces, and a webinar on "Pharmacological Management of Adolescent Depression in Primary Care," presented by Dr. David Brent, child psychiatrist from the STAR-Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh. The webcast from this presentation is also available. Additional selected handouts from the conference are available. 

American Association of Suicidology Issues Reviews of Suicide Prevention Videos
In response to requests for recommendations for appropriate suicide prevention videos for different audiences. Check out the list of "recommended," "recommendations with minor reservation," and "not recommended."