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Health & Fitness

Simsbury Embraces Suicide Prevention Initiatives; Sept. 19 Training Starts "A Community Conversation"

Learn More: SCTV Talk of Simsbury http://simsburytv.org/yt_video/GvXJb2-SxeA

The Town of Simsbury is taking a brave step forward on suicide prevention and education by beginning “a community conversation” on September 19, during National Suicide Prevention Month.

More than three dozen “gatekeepers” – individuals in town most likely to have direct contact with a person at risk of suicide – will attend a four-hour, suicide prevention/intervention training session from 8:30am-1pm at the Simsbury United Methodist Church.

This important grassroots effort, led by First Selectman Mary Glassman and Deputy First Selectman Lisa Heavner, has the support of the Simsbury School System and many community sectors.

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The training will be conducted by the Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) at no cost to the town. CASAC Executive Director and Simsbury resident Tom Steen will lead the session.

Following the training, a task force will be created and Simsbury will receive a $2,500 CASAC grant for continued education and other suicide prevention initiatives. 

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Suicide is an issue that has touched many of us, directly or indirectly, and can have a profound and life-changing impact on family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues and the community-at-large.

Did you know that one person a day in Connecticut dies by suicide?

Or that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, ahead of homicide and car accidents?

Severe depression and/or other mental illnesses can be a contributing factor and the demographics show that a person at risk can be of any age or economic status … Veterans returning from war … students in middle school, high school or college … aging Baby Boomers … senior citizens who have lost a spouse …

Yet suicide is one of the most preventable deaths if someone recognizes the warning signs of a person at risk and can respond safely and effectively.

Learning intervention strategies and knowing what resources are available will be addressed at the Sept. 19 training program.

Attendees will include representatives from: Simsbury Social Services, Simsbury Senior Center, Simsbury Board of Education, Simsbury High School, Henry James Middle School, Simsbury Police Department, Simsbury Ambulance Association, Visiting Nurses Association, Simsbury Housing Authority, McLean Care, Pro Health Physicians, the Simsbury Public Library and Simsbury Boy Scouts.

There also will be several members of the religious community participating, including Simsbury United Methodist Church, First Church of Christ, Saint Catherine’s of Siena, St. Mary’s Church and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

If you are a potential “gatekeeper” and are interested in attending the Sept. 19 session, call Simsbury Social Services at (860) 658-3283.

In addition to Mary Glassman and Lisa Heavner, a special “thank you” to the following people who have contributed to this project: Tom Steen, Mickey Lecours-Beck, Charlotte Barth, Philip Janes, Helen Donaher and Pastor Woody Eddins.

Mary and Tom explore the issue of suicide prevention with Dominique Avery, host of SCTV’s “The Talk of Simsbury,” during the month of September.

The show is called, “Preventing Suicide: Beginning a Community Conversation” and airs Thursdays at 2pm and 9pm and Fridays at 11:30am on Channel 5 (Comcast) and Channel 99 (AT&T).

You also can go to the Simsbury Community Television website: http://simsburytv.org/yt_video/GvXJb2-SxeA

I am proud and honored to live in a community that is willing to pull back the curtain on the issue of suicide.

In the words of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board: "Suicide is Preventable.  1Word, 1Voice, 1Life.  Be the One to Start the Conversation."

 

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