NAMI Announces First Conference on Suicide

For the first time, NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania will present a one-day conference dedicated solely to the topic of suicide, featuring keynote speaker Ian Cummins, who has been walking across America in memory of his brother Ryan. While this educational event has been in the planning stages for months, it is especially relevant now was we grieve the loss of beloved actor Robin Williams.

Save the Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18

Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh

More details and registration information will be posted in the upcoming weeks.

Workshop #4: Understanding Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents

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Did  you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death of individuals age 10 to 24? This workshop at the NAMI Education Conference on Saturday will explain the most up-to-date research on suicide among this age group. In terms the everyday person can understand, the presentation will include the neurobiology of suicidal behavior and highlight preliminary findings from the brain scans of adolescents with a history of suicide attempts. Basic review of the brain circuitry of depression will be included. A case report reviewing contributing factors for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal behavior will also be presented. The relevance of this information to understanding suicidal behavior in adolescents, and future directions of research, will be discussed.

For more information or to register for the conference, click here. Registration deadline is today!

Presenter: Lisa Pan, MD, is the assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic.

12th Annual National Survivors of Suicide Day: Saturday, November 20th

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According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website,  National Survivors of Suicide Day is a day of healing for those who have lost someone to suicide. It was created by U.S. Senate resolution in 1999 through the efforts of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, who lost his father to suicide. Every year, AFSP sponsors an event to provide an opportunity for the survivor community to come together for support, healing, information and empowerment.

This year, the Pittsburgh Chapter of AFSP is sponsoring a National Survivor of Suicide Video Conference.  The broadcast will feature Dr. Chip Reynolds, and will discuss suicide bereavement and complicated grief. There is no charge to attend.

Video Conference Details:

When: Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: University of Pittsburgh, Scaife Hall, 3350 Terrace St., Oakland, PA 15213

(parking is available in UPMC Presbyterian parking lots)

Room: 11th Floor Scaife Hall, The Conference Center is on the 11th floor of Scaife, (close to UPMC Presbyterian Cafeteria)

Who: Survivors after suicide, friends, families, others

To RSVP, call 412-624-9005 or email afsppgh@gmail.com

For more information about mental health in southwestern Pa. be sure to visit NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania online and keep up with our blog with a subscription to our RSS feed!

Contributed by Lora M. Dziemiela, Program Secretary

World Suicide Prevention Day

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day to promote worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an average of almost 3,000 people die by suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.

The Take 5 To Save Lives campaign is a project of the National Council of Suicide Prevention and is supported by other national organizations.  The Take 5 To Save Lives website offers five ways you can become informed and involved in five minutes. 

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania also provides information on suicide on its website.

Featured Facts on Friday

Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for America's youth ages 15 to 24?  More youth and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.  

The vast majority of those who die by suicide have a mental illness--often undiagnosed or untreated.  Click here for more information about suicide including statistics, warning signs and possible interventions.

A local group called SPRITES holds regular support group meetings for suicide survivors (family members who have lost a loved one to suicide) at the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania office.  They also host small social gatherings at a variety of local restaurants and coffee shops.  Click here for information on SPRITES and their meeting schedule.

Vote For Suicide Prevention

The American Federation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has a chance to be awarded one million dollars in the "Chase Community Giving" program being conducted on Facebook.

This week only (through Friday, Jan. 22), Facebook users can vote for up to five non-profit organizations among 100 that were nominated in an earlier round. If AFSP receives the top award, it will expand a pilot depression awareness and suicide prevention program to college campuses nationwide.

You must be a Facebook user to participate.

-Click here to go to its website and follow instructions on how to vote.

-Tell as many family and friends as possible through "social networking" means suck as Facebook and Twitter or by simply forwarding this notice to them by e-mail

-Ask them to vote and also help spread the word to as many people as possible by Friday, Jan 22

-Suicide is the third leading cause of death among college age youth.

For more information on Suicide and other mental illness, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.