Mind Your Mind Magazine - Q3

A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Mental Health Champions,

I recently had the chance to follow up with our very first podcast guest who lost his son to suicide six years ago, and an observation that he shared resonated with me:

As a family, we have poured more into our relationships with one another and have even strengthened the manner in which we approach others outside of our family. To honor Tyler - we feel we must add value to each relationship, otherwise, what is the purpose?

Indeed, connections are what drive the human experience and help us thrive. We see that in the titles of some of our core trainings: Connections Matter and Community Resiliency Model and it definitely is the foundation of our Birth-5 programming, The Basis Cobb County. Connections are also at the heart of our suicide prevention awareness trainings – Question.Persuade.Refer, Mental Health First Aid, and Science of Suicide for First Responders. It is often difficult to know what to say to someone who is clearly struggling, and so we might choose to not say anything at all, for any number of reasons – fear of saying the wrong thing, guilt, fear of getting entangled in another person’s messy life, or feeling that we don’t have any answers ourselves.

But, please do not miss the opportunity to form a connection with another person, particularly one who you sense is struggling to maintain good mental health. A warm smile, stopping to ask them about their weekend, handing them a 988 card, letting them know that you’re looking forward to seeing them tomorrow, that you value their presence, complimenting something about their appearance or their work, – these small actions can create a larger buffer and help others feel that they are valuable and connected.

This issue of our Mind Your Mind quarterly magazine focuses on suicide because the rising rates over the past two years are alarming, and we must all get more comfortable with recognizing risk factors, building protective factors, and most importantly – making connections. Please consider what you can do to become a gatekeeper in our community; we and many others have training opportunities, digital and print resources, community events, and a caring community to help you and help each other. We look forward to partnering with you and making strong connections.

Warmly,

Irene Barton

IRENE BARTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, CALL or TEXT 9-8-8 immediately to speak to a mental health professional.

September has been nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month since 2008. This dedicated month raises awareness of the prevalence and impacts of suicide across our communities while equipping us with the tools needed to recognize the signs and take action to prevent suicide With suicide being one of the leading causes of death in the United States, there is an immediate need to take action and do your part in preventing suicide.

Take advantage of the resources and toolkits already created for this specific purpose. Check out the links below for various toolkits from leading organizations, which include media and social media resources, free 988 materials (stickers, magnets, etc.), printable informational handouts, posters, and DIY tools to support yourself and your community.

COMMUNITY VOICE

The Reality of Suicide Within Law Enforcement

With over 30 years of service in the military and law enforcement, Major James C Bullock, Cobb County Precinct 3 Commander, has experienced the reality of suicide among friends, teammates, and coworkers far too many times Despite having experienced these tragedies, James has also seen the hope that saves more lives than it takes:

“Several months after the deployment, one of our team members lost his unseen battle and ended his life, leaving behind a young family. During my 30-plus years in law enforcement, I have seen similar tragedies including those who retired and ended their life as well as several young officers in the last couple of years who have succumbed to these unseen traumas and ended their lives.

There are bright moments in these battles. The awareness of suicide and suicide prevention for military and law enforcement has significantly grown over the last 10 years and many have received life-saving interventions. I had a friend several years ago struggling but was showing no apparent outward signs. Her struggle only became noticeable with her growing dependency on alcohol. One night when she disappeared from a military celebration, me and a peer went to find her. We were able to intervene with only moments to spare This success story ends with the end of a military career and the beginning of a successful life, family, and career as an educator.

Continue reading.......................................................................................

Meet Major James C. Bullock Precinct 3 Commander

Major James C. Bullock has been employed with the Cobb County Police Department for over 30 years, starting in 1991. During his years of service, James has worked a variety of assignments including Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, DUI Task Force, Internal Affairs, SWAT, Ranger Services, Cobb Anti-Gang Enforcement (CAGE), and Narcotics. He has served at every level from uniform patrol officer to his current assignment as the Commander of Precinct 3 in Southeast Cobb. James holds a Master’s Degree from Lamar University and a bachelor’s degree from Troy University in Criminal Justice and is a proud graduate of the 277th class of the FBI National Academy

Although many here in our community, our state, and our country suffer with unseen traumas, our military and law enforcement outnumber the general population by tremendous percentages. As we continue to reach for a solution to this plague, let us learn as friends, family, and community to look for signs of struggle and intervene to achieve the greatest outcome!”

There are many things that could lead someone to suicidal thoughts or actions, but why are military and law enforcement officers at such a greater risk? Major James Bullock has seen up close how factors like stigma, toxic stress, and the challenges of returning to civilian life after combat have had significant impacts on his fellow officers.

“During my deployment to Iraq, I was part of some teams working to protect forces in the country. My small team worked with other small teams and were exposed to the extreme conditions, sights, smells, and loss of lives due to combat. As we returned from the long-extended mission, many found it difficult to return to civilian lives. As soldiers, law enforcement officers, and first responders, we have jobs where family and community are not immersed in the environment of being exposed to constant accounting of the worst moments in the general population’s lifetimes In other words, they see every day the worst days of individuals' lives. This overexposure to trauma, grief, suffering, and many times injustice leaves deep scars that are unseen on outward appearances. Therefore, it is difficult to understand the unseen trauma related to combat and law enforcement.

One of the biggest factors is the perception by military members and law enforcement officers they must be the strong ones. They believe they must always be the ones in control of bad situations and restore others' lives. They believe many times they can’t show weakness or seek help in fear of being considered incapable of being the situational solutionists.

As far as access to weapons being a factor in suicide, this is not necessarily an issue specific to law enforcement as the access is no greater for military or law enforcement than that of the general population. Although they are issued weapons as part of their duties, the general population can just go to their local sporting goods or gun store and purchase a weapon. Additionally, a large portion of the US population has some firearm in their home and accessible to most people in the home.”

If you are a first responder considering suicide, or you know someone who is considering suicide, reach out for help The Cobb County Police Department has support in the form of the Peer Support Program, Chaplain Program, Cobb County Employee Services, and Certified Counselors. In addition, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) sponsors a crisis line, and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) provides assistance to law enforcement officers.

VETERANS HAVE AN ADJUSTED SUICIDE RATE OF 57.3% GREATER THAN THE NON-VETERAN U.S. ADULT POPULATION

The Impacts

The impact of stress and traumatic events on military, law enforcement, and first responders can be difficult to process, thus, the impact on day-to-day life can be overwhelming due to the lack of understanding by those around them. As mentioned, family and community often struggle to understand their experiences as they may have never faced the level of trauma that these individuals are exposed to on a daily basis. This only adds to the challenge that law enforcement and other first responders find it difficult to talk about the sights, sounds, smells, grief, and suffering they encounter. This can leave them with a feeling that they won’t be understood or even worse, accused of being part of the overall problem

The Solution

For the Department: “As a law enforcement leader, I strive to assist the men and women of the Cobb County Police Department in maintaining the best mental and physical wellness possible. Our department has committed to being on the forefront of mental health offering Peer Support networks, on-call counseling, and treatment as necessary. Our department has also committed to providing stateof-the-art fitness facilities to ensure our men and women have 24-hour access to physical fitness ”

For the Community: “The leaders of the Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to seeking the most positive resolution when dealing with citizens facing mental health crises. Both departments now have crisis intervention teams with the Cobb County Police Department with our Crisis Response Teams. These teams have a specially trained police officer partnered with a licensed mental health counselor. They are called to critical incidents involving citizens in mental health crises or are referred to citizens potentially facing mental health crises and then monitor citizens on their progress with mental health treatment.”

“We have seen great overall improvements in the well-being of our officers with the programs we have implemented but there is still much work to be done. We must work to recognize the signs of struggle in those not willing to come forward and continue to build our capabilities to provide services to our men and women. Furthermore, our community must work together and work to develop a more centralized conduit for mental health services. “

VITAL STATISTICS

SUICIDE - ADULTS & YOUTH

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the U S with ONE suicide death occurring every ELEVEN minutes

Firearms are the most common method of suicide with 55% of deaths involving a firearm

55%

Suicide deaths increased by 2.6% between 2021-2022

Males make up nearly 80% of all suicides, while only making up 50% of the population

LGBTQ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide than cisgender youth 4 X 4 X

Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for youth and young adults aged 10-24 years old

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

The U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory in December of 2021 on protecting youth mental health. In the address, he warns, "Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression and thoughts of suicide and rates have increased over the past decade."

Voices for Georgia’s Children conducted an analysis of the GA Student Health Survey, CDC, and GA DPH data to find that:

ER visits related to suicide nearly tripled between 2008 and 2021

The number of GA youth who considered suicide increased by nearly 20,000 students from 2021 to 2022

Males are more likely than females to die by suicide

In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death for GA children aged 5-17

65% of suicides among GA youth (5-17) were between 15-17 years old

Firearms and hanging are the most common methods for suicide for youth

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Continue reading for warning signs of suicide, and what you can do to offer support and create a prevention-driven community.

CDC PREVENTION STRATEGY

Strengthen Economic Support

Create Protective Environments

Improve Access and Delivery of Suicide Care

Promote Healthy Connections

Any thoughts of suicide should be taken seriously. If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or any mental healthcrisis,callortext 9-8-8 immediately.

Thoseconsideringsuicidemightshowsigns,suchas:

Talkingaboutwantingtodie

Sleepingtoolittleortoomuch

Displayingextrememoodswings,withdrawal,andisolation

Lossofinterestinenjoyablethings

Increasingtheuseofsubstancesoralcohol

Talkingaboutbeingaburdentoothers

Headto pg.17 forsuicidepreventionresources.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY

Improve household financial security and stabilize housing

Attend a county Town Hall meeting to discuss concerns with local officials

Reduce access to lethal items in the home (ex. firearms, over-the-counter and prescription medications)

Create healthy organizational policies and culture - attend a local workshop for tips and support

Improve equitable access to quality mental, physical, and behavioral health care

Promote FindHelpGA org for access to free and affordable services

Engage in shared activities with others - follow our events calendar and our newsletter for the latest community events and happenings from Cobb Collaborative and our members

Teach Coping and Problem Solving-Skills

Identify and Support People at Risk

Lessen Harms and Prevent Future Risk

Teach coping skills and emotional regulation at an early age - Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life compiled a list of healthy coping skills for kids and teens

Build resilience skills through a Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® workshop

Attend The Basics workshop to strengthen family connections and develop early-learning parenting skills

Attend gatekeeper and suicide prevention training, like Q P R (offered through Cobb Collaborative)

Use hotlines, like 9-8-8, when you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis

Connect with support after suicide loss, like AFSP Healing Conversations (read more on pg. 14)

Become an advocate for suicide prevention

Find more examples and the full report from the CDC here

O N A L

P R O F E S S I O N A L

A

/

Q & A W

Q & A W / A P R O F E S S I

Julie Smith Assistant Director, Founder The SAM Foundation

The mission of the SAM Foundation is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education by equipping communities with the skills to intervene in a suicidal crisis. The hope is to change the way our communities view mental health and serve as a resource to those who have been affected by suicide and therefore making our communities more suicide safe.

The SAM Foundation believes all members of communities play a vital role in suicide prevention. Through evidence-based trainings, the SAM Foundation reaches a variety of community members, corporate groups, educators, first responders, and mental health professionals The problem of suicide is considered a nationwide problem and these trainings provide the tools and resources to combat this problem.

Q - YOU HAVE DEDICATED YOUR LIFE'S MISSION TO EDUCATING OTHERS ABOUT SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION. CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF YOUR STORY ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED IN THIS WORK?

A - Our family experienced a great tragedy losing my brother Sam to suicide on December 17, 2002, at only 24 years old. My mother was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was young being hospitalized and struggling throughout my childhood being an attempt survivor herself. So I’ve had to watch family members struggle with mental health my entire life It has truly shaped who I am and my hopes for a major shift in how our society and culture view and treat mental health Sharing our own struggles starting with my own family will begin that shift and let others know treatment and support are available. My ultimate desire is to see a psychiatric research treatment hospital anyone in the country can go to at no cost like St. Jude

Q - WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SUICIDE, WHETHER THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT IT THEMSELVES OR THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT IT?

A - That there is hope. The pain you are experiencing is real, but you are not alone. Reach out to someone they trust about their thoughts of suicide, or call/text 988. Talking about suicide, and the things going on in your life will help relieve some of the pressure that has built up inside of you Finding treatment that works for you is vital Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...................................................

Additional Warning Signs of Suicide

Any changes in a person's normal behavior, such as:

Putting personal affairs in order

Giving away prized possessions

Sudden interest or disinterest in religion

Behavioral clues: change in moodiness or irritability

Situational clues or changes, such as:

Loss of any kind, like death, move, or financial

An unexpected terminal or difficult diagnosis

Expressing thoughts and emotions, such as:

Hopelessness

Depression

Anger

Sudden improvement

Remember to take a holistic view of the person and all signs very seriously

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 immediately

Q - ARE THERE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTS OR POPULATIONS THAT CAN LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF SUICIDE?

A - Due to inconsistent reporting of suicide, it is always so difficult to accurately state where the most vulnerable exist However, we do know 22 veterans die by suicide everyday, we know men die by suicide more often but women attempt suicide 3 times more than men, we know in 2022 youth exceeded the middle age in deaths by suicide, and the LGBTQ community are generally at greater risk.

Q - WHAT ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT AND REDUCE THE RISK OF SUICIDE?

A - I believe recognizing any trauma you or loved ones may have gone through, whether it feels big or small, and then begin the process of healing that trauma, is the best way to prevent suicide If we begin to talk about this at a much earlier age, what is trauma? What is healing? What is the process of healing? What are feelings and where do they live in my body and why am I having this feeling? If we do this, I believe we can begin to shift the narrative around mental health and begin to avoid a mental health crisis that leads to suicide.

Q - WHAT IS QPR?

Q - HOW DOES SUICIDE IMPACT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY?

A - Suicide can have a severe impact on a community even having long-term effects on many Out of 135 people who are exposed to suicide, 53 have a short-term life disruption, 25 have a major life disruption, and 11 have devastating effects on their lives. The impact is much greater on a small-knit community. Therefore, suicide is everyone’s business and responsibility to help make our communities more suicide safe. This is one of the greatest missions of the SAM Foundation.

Q - WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFFECTED BY SUICIDE CAN DO FOR THEMSELVES TO FIND HEALING?

A - Support is the best way to begin the healing process. Finding a local SOS, or survivors of suicide, support group is essential and can be found on the AFSP website I believe treatment should be integrative and personal as everyone is different and may require multiple forms of treatment. I love being a source of support for survivors as well. Just a simple text or phone call every now and then truly gets you through those hard moments. Knowing others have walked the same path is a great source of strength. Making sure you are practicing selfcare every day is so incredibly important.

A - QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer, and is a life-saving skill meant to sound like CPR. Before CPR was created, thousands of people died. This is the same concept except for mental health. It is called gatekeeper training, meaning a participant will learn how to open up the gate between a suicidal individual and a mental health professional In QPR training, you will learn how to question a suicidal individual, how to persuade them to get the help they need, and then how to refer them to treatment. I love QPR as it is a basic training I can deliver in an hour in a pinch but love to have an hour and a half, yet full with an enormous amount of great information.

Q - HOW CAN SOMEONE ACCESS QPR TRAINING?

A - The SAM Foundation provides a free virtual QPR the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM EST. We are also available to provide them for any organization virtually or in person at no cost to the organization.

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

HEALING CONVERSATIONS

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

Written By: Debra Kushnick - AFSP Healing Conversations Coordinator

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission is to save lives bringing hope to those affected by suicide. While AFSP is not a counseling service, there are four main ways that AFSP brings about change and support to the community:

1. FUNDING ACADEMIC RESEARCH

AFSP remains the leading private funder of suicide research. AFSP has funded 712 grants or $62,803,043 in suicide prevention research since 1987

3.ADVOCACY

AFSP actively advocates on public policy across the nation. Most recently, our staff and dedicated volunteers worked to help Georgia realize endorsement of House Bill 1013 which aims to afford access to mental health for all, and we are thankful that 9-8-8 has been added as a three-digit number for people in crisis to call for support.

2.COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

AFSP’s educational programs are designed to effectively connect with all ages and cultures to bring awareness and hope.

4.SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS AND THOSE AFFECTED BY SUICIDE

Trained volunteers conduct “healing conversations” with those impacted by suicide

In addition, annually, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, staff and volunteers host hundreds of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events around the world.

CONTINUE READING to learn more about AFSP and the ways they give support to suicide loss survivors through connection and hope.

DEBRA KUSHNICK, ASFP HEALING CONVERSATIONS COORDINATOR

As co-chair of the Loss and Healing Committee, I strongly believe that the grief of suicide loss survivors is like no other In fact, the DSM recently made Suicide Grief a diagnosis called “complicated grief” which differentiates it from other types of grief.

The focus of the Loss and Healing Committee is to offer hope and reassurance that it is possible to heal after a suicide loss and to demonstrate that survivors of suicide loss are not alone. Our vision is to provide a sense of community with programs and events such as the Healing Conversations outreach Program, World Suicide Prevention Day and candlelight vigil, and International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

WHAT IS A HEALING CONVERSATION?

A Healing Conversation is simply a conversation between two loss survivors. It gives people who have lost someone to suicide the opportunity to talk with experienced volunteers, who are themselves survivors of suicide loss, and therefore can offer understanding and guidance. Available in person, on the phone, or by video chat, volunteers are familiar with the isolation that often accompanies a death of this kind. Healing Conversations volunteers can show new suicide loss survivors a way forward through their grief and into a world of support. They can ask questions of someone who has been there too, and truly “gets it”.

As the coordinator for the Healing Conversations program in the state of Georgia, when I receive an email containing a request, I first write an email to the loss survivor, which includes a comforting message, information on the Survivors of Suicide groups closest to them, and a page of links to websites that are helpful for those trying to make sense of their loss I then forward the request to an appropriate volunteer; I try to match the request with a volunteer who has had a similar loss. For example, I might match someone who lost their mother to suicide with a volunteer who also lost his/her mother to suicide. There are other matching criteria such as religion, race, or gender identity.

In addition to the email and the conversation with another loss survivor, we send out what we call the Grief Toolkit. A grief toolkit is a packet of materials, including a book on suicide loss, a book on grief, a bookmark, a journal with prompts, bird seed, flower seeds, a bracelet, and a pin as well as pamphlets relating to suicide loss

When I first lost my son Joe, in 2011, some women came to my desk at the school where I worked and brought me a packet of materials. Those ladies and their packets were a lifesaver for me. We’ve expanded on the concept!

REQUEST A HEALING CONVERSATION

AT https://afsp.wufoo.com/forms/healingconversations-request-form/ or by visiting the AFSP/Georgia website and clicking on Programs and then Healing Conversations.

The Healing Conversations program falls under the umbrella of the Loss and Healing Committee, which provides programs and events including the Healing Conversations program, the Loss and Healing Area at the Out of the Darkness Walks, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, and the Candlelight Vigil.

UPCOMING AFSP PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide PreventionSeptember 27

is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. This is a virtual event, and information and registration can be found HERE.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk - November 5

is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. The Walk takes place in Piedmont Park on the first Sunday in November (11/5) with volunteers to offer support and resources during the event. information and registration for The Atlanta Walk can be found HERE.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day - November 18

is an annual in-person event, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving (11/18). This year, the event will be held at the Skyland Trail rehab facility, with a screening of a short film about suicide loss and a discussion led by Dr. Ben Hunter, a psychiatrist who is the medical director of Skyland Trail Attendees will participate in breakout sessions which include journaling, an art project, and small group discussions Lunch will be provided Information and registration for the Atlanta International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day can be found HERE.

For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, healing conversations, and other Georgia events and programs, head to https://afsp.org/chapter/georgia#events, or contact Debra Kushnick, Healing Conversations Coordinator, at healingconversations@afsp.org

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

For anyone thinking about suicide, or for survivors of suicide, know there is hope and there is help. Below is a list of resources and organizations to support your healing journey.

9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

ASIST Suicide Prevention Training Choosing TherapyBooks About Suicide

Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)

The 9-8-8 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can find curated resources for specific communities, research, materials, media, and best practices for providers at 988lifeline.org. Call or text 988 anytime for immediate help.

LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day face-to-face workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations where you'll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive

Choosing Therapy compiled a list of the 21 Best Books About Suicide for This Year, which includes books for those feeling alone, for teenagers dealing with suicide of losing a friend to suicide, for those dealing with the loss of a loved one by suicide, for children dealing with suicide loss, and books about the science of suicide.

GCAL provides 24/7/365 telephonic crisis intervention services, dispatches mobile crisis teams assists individuals in finding an open crisis or detox bed across Georgia, and links individuals with urgent appointment services Services can be accessed by texting or calling 1-800-715-4225, or through the My GCAL app, available for download in the App Store or Google Play

Georgia DBHDD

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (GA DBHDD) offers a Suicide Prevention Program focused on prevention training, public policy, evidence-based interventions, and postvention strategies. You can find resources on the Strategic Prevention Framework for Suicide Prevention, the GA Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, and other resources for your organization

Highland Rivers

Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is a public safety net for those who face behavioral health challenges and/or who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and are uninsured and underinsured. The Board provides effective, innovative care and appropriate resources offering children, adolescents, and adults hope, empowerment, and purpose.

Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for professional counselors, support, information, resources, and referrals to telehealth providers and support groups. Help is available in English and Spanish

NAMI

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI provides tools to educate, support, advocate, listen, and lead individuals and organizations to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.

Question. Persuade. Refer. (Q.P.R.)

Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training QPR offers multiple suicide prevention training online and in-person for a variety of professions

Resilient GA

Resilient GA created a state-wide coalition to develop a closely-aligned and trauma-informed public and private network working toward a united vision to create a birth through 26-year-old integrated behavioral health system. Key components include prevention, early intervention, research, advocacy and policy, and System of Care implementation and coordination

Self-Discovery: Pain, Positioning and Purpose, Inc - 501(c) (3) non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, and recovery programs that provide multiple peer-to-peer approaches to increase wellness, resiliency, and protective factors among those at risk for or impacted by suicide.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project provides 24/7 information and support for LGBTQ youth struggling with suicidal ideation, loneliness, and isolation. Their key functions include crisis services, advocacy, research, peer support, and public education on issues relevant to LGBTQ youth and allies

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Veterans in acute suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for FREE emergency health care including, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit

If you need immediate assistance for a mental health crisis, CALL or TEXT 9-8-8 anytime to be connected to a licensed mental health professional.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

THANK YOU to everyone involved in the making of MYM Magazine At Cobb Collaborative, we aim to reduce the stigma of mental health and increase access and awareness to support and services.

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MYM TOOLKIT

Our MYM Toolkit is a robust toolkit for a well rounded approach to mental health with extensive resources, statistics, and information.

MYM SPEAKS - PODCAST

Mind Your Mind Speaks is our Podcast which features a wide range of guests with knowledge around mental health and more.

We wouldn't be able to do this amazing work and further our mission without the support of Resilient Georgia. Be sure to check out our events, many of which are sponsored by Resilient Georgia.

We would also like to thank our wonderful guests, Major James Bullock, Julie Smith, and Debra Kushnick, for sharing their personal stories about suicide and how it impacts the entire community. Each guest left us with hope and understanding that we are not alone and that there is help out there.

Take a moment to share how we are doing and help us improve our work by completing the GA Family Connection Partnership Collaborative Vitality Survey by Wednesday, November 1st