From the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education & Clinical Center, located at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in CO:
The “How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family” booklet/DVD was created to support all families (civilians and military), and is nationally, publicly available free of charge both virtually and real world. The booklet was created by a small team led by child & family Psychiatrist Dr. Doug Gray. Since its release, this resource has been recommended by agencies such as the Department of Education, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the American School Counselor Association.
“How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt In Your Family” aims to support parents and other caregivers who are challenged with comforting and/or explaining a loved one’s suicide attempt. The combination booklet/DVD (available free of charge, either virtually or in print) addresses four main challenges: demonstrating how speaking with a child about a suicide attempt is both necessary and beneficial; providing key strategies for meeting the needs of three developmental groups (Preschool, School Age, and Teen); offering tools to increase skill and comfort level with this delicate task; and, supplying further resources to better care for themselves as well as their family members. The 24-page booklet provides the basis, addressing critical issues such as mental illness, substance use, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as building resiliency and restoring hope. The professionally produced video demonstrates these principles in action, and shows how real-life conversations might unfold. Free print copies of booklet and DVD are also available
Suicide prevention is a commonly used and understood term. However not everyone recognizes suicide postvention. Suicide postvention builds upon prevention efforts by providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss.
Postvention is critical for healing after suicide. Uniting for Suicide Postvention (USPV) provides resources and support for everyone touched by suicide loss.
Visit the USPV online resource hub to find support tailored for three audiences: community, providers and workplace.
Other clinician resources also available:
The “How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family” booklet/DVD was created to support all families (civilians and military), and is nationally, publicly available free of charge both virtually and real world. The booklet was created by a small team led by child & family Psychiatrist Dr. Doug Gray. Since its release, this resource has been recommended by agencies such as the Department of Education, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the American School Counselor Association.
“How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt In Your Family” aims to support parents and other caregivers who are challenged with comforting and/or explaining a loved one’s suicide attempt. The combination booklet/DVD (available free of charge, either virtually or in print) addresses four main challenges: demonstrating how speaking with a child about a suicide attempt is both necessary and beneficial; providing key strategies for meeting the needs of three developmental groups (Preschool, School Age, and Teen); offering tools to increase skill and comfort level with this delicate task; and, supplying further resources to better care for themselves as well as their family members. The 24-page booklet provides the basis, addressing critical issues such as mental illness, substance use, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as building resiliency and restoring hope. The professionally produced video demonstrates these principles in action, and shows how real-life conversations might unfold. Free print copies of booklet and DVD are also available
Suicide prevention is a commonly used and understood term. However not everyone recognizes suicide postvention. Suicide postvention builds upon prevention efforts by providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss.
Postvention is critical for healing after suicide. Uniting for Suicide Postvention (USPV) provides resources and support for everyone touched by suicide loss.
Visit the USPV online resource hub to find support tailored for three audiences: community, providers and workplace.
Other clinician resources also available:
- Clinical tools such as therapeutic risk management of the suicidal patient; self-directed violence classification system nomenclature; suicide risk assessment
- Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS) nomenclature: tool & training
- Assessment tools
- Free lethal means safety training for any provider, including outside VA
- Podcasts and videos: Some of the podcasts include Chain Analysis for Suicidal thoughts and Behaviors and Experiencing a Suicide Loss: Professional Caregivers
