Kevin Hines to Speak at NAMI Conference

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania is pleased to welcome international speaker and suicide prevention advocate Kevin Hines to its 14th Annual Education Conference on Saturday, April 14 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.

Who is Kevin Hines?
In the year 2000, two years after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Kevin Hines tried to take his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. He immediately regretted his decision and, remarkably, Kevin survived. Since then, Kevin has dedicated his life to living and staying mentally well and inspiring people of all ages to change their lives for the better. In his keynote presentation at our 14th Annual Education Conference, Kevin will discuss his experiences and feelings as a 19-year old on the brink of despair, and how parents, teachers, caregivers, professionals and other role models can connect with and help young adults who are coping with a serious mental illness. He will speak with gripping candor about surviving his suicide attempt and his journey through recovery, and how he has dedicated his life to helping others find the peace and hope that now fills his life.

About Kevin
Kevin has spoken to more than 300,000 people about his firsthand experience with suicidal thoughts and eventual attempted suicide in 2000 by jumping 220 feet from the Golden Gate Bridge. Kevin is a powerful, honest and intimate presenter and has been featured in the critically acclaimed film The Bridge, on Larry King Live, 20/20, Anderson Cooper 360, Good Morning America, and Ireland's famed Tonight with Vincent Brown. He has also been featured in hundreds of national and international print, radio, film and television media outlets. In 2012, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work as a suicide prevention advocate and speaker. Kevin has written several articles about the prevention of suicide and mental health in America and in July 2013 published his memoir, Cracked...Not Broken, Surviving & Thriving After a Suicide Attempt.

Special thanks to Project Transition, a unique recovery-centered psychiatric rehabilitation program, who sponsored Kevin as the Keynote Speaker of our conference.

For more information about the conference, visit our website or call 412-366-3788.

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

Friday Five: The Trevor Project

- The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) youth.

- The Trevor Project Mission: The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

- The Trevor Project Vision: A future where the possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the same for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

- History: The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. Read more about the film here; additional information about the history of the organization can be found here.

- The Trevor Project operates three core program areas in order to provide resources for LGBTQ youth and to create safe, accepting and inclusive environments for all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The three core program areas are "We Save Lives", "We Build Community" and "We Change Society and Culture".

(This week's Friday Five information was taken from The Trevor Project website. For more information about mental health, visit the NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania website.)

Support Spirit Day!

We at NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania are proud to support Spirit Day by wearing purple and speaking out against the bullying of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth. While remembering those whose lives were tragically lost, we can stand together and support those that are still experiencing negative attention and pressure in their communities.

We hope that today, you are wearing purple and speaking out against intolerance. We also hope that tomorrow and every day after, you will continue to work for acceptance for all.

Wear Purple on Oct. 20 and Support Spirit Day

How can you help show your support for the teens who took their lives because of anti-LGBT bullying? Join NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in wearing purple on Spirit Day (Wednesday, Oct. 20)!

According to GLAAD's Spirit Day page,

"Spirit Day honors the teenagers who had taken their own lives in recent weeks. But just as importantly, it's also a way to show the hundreds of thousands of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth who face the same pressures and bullying, that there is a vast community of people who support them...Wearing purple on October 20 is a simple way to show the world that you stand by these courageous young people and a simple way to stand UP to the bullies. Remember those lives we've tragically lost, and show your solidarity with those who are still fighting."

Visit GLAAD's Spirit Day page for other great ways to show your support for this cause!