

Pennsylvania House Passes Resolution on Suicide Prevention Education in Schools
On October 6, 2010, the PA General Assembly passed House Resolution 980, "promoting youth suicide prevention education for all administrative, teaching and counseling personnel in all public and private high schools in Pennsylvania."
Related resources, prepared by Tony Salvatore, Montgomery County:
A Statewide High School Suicide Prevention Education Program
State School-Related Suicide Prevention Education Programs
Lancaster County Youth Suicide Prevention Group Featured on "Good Morning America"
In August 2010, "Aevidum," a youth suicide prevention organization founded by students at Cocalico High School in Lancaster County, was highlighted on a segment on ABC News "Good Morning America" on teen depression. One of the students from Aevidum was part of the panel, speaking about her brother's suicide. View the segment here.
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.
Special Events, Conferences and Trainings
Protecting Children from Harm
2012 STAR Center Conferences
March 19, 2012
King of Prussia, PA
and
May 4, 2012
Pittsburgh, PA
More information (will be available in January)
Lighting the Way to a Brighter Future: Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services
April 18-19, 2012
Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey Hotel
Harrisburg, PA
More information
Collaborations in Suicidology: Bridging the Disciplines: 45th American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference
April 18-21, 2012
Hilton Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Pennsylvania's home-grown high school youth suicide prevention program, Aevidum, will be featuried in the Friday plenary session.
More information
Webinars available from TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups, Columbia University.
Adolescent Suicide Risk Assessment: Free online course available from the Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; discusses the roles clinicians have in the prevention of suicide and provides the needed skills to perform suicide risk assessments (scroll to link under "Mental Health"). This course was developed [in part] under grant number 1 SM058386-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.
ONQ Close-Up: Teen Suicide
WQED, Pittsburgh, PA
Special edition of ON-Q focusing on teen suicide prevention, research, support and outreach. Highlighting the program will be a new documentary, "Losing Lambert: A Journey Through Survival and Hope," which tells the story of a mother's road to recovery after her son's suicide in 1995. First aired on television on October 22, 2009 but now available by online video.
Out of the Darkness Community Walks benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). By participating, you will be walking with thousands of people nationwide to raise money for AFSP's vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide, and assist survivors of suicide loss.