Tag: Suicide Prevention

VA Medical Centers Host Workshop for Faith Leaders on Suicide Prevention

Next month, the Beckley, Clarksburg and Huntington VA Medical Centers are hosting a joint outreach training event for West Virginia spiritual leaders to learn about veteran suicide prevention.

The workshop will be held Tuesday, July 31st. at the West Virginia Capitol Complex. Called Operation S.A.V.E., the program is a one hour training provided by the VA suicide prevention team. The training focuses on signs of suicide, asking about suicide, validating feelings, encouraging help and expediting treatment.

The joint training comes after a March training in Beckley for spiritual leaders that a VA press release says received positive feedback. The press release says training faith communities about suicide prevention is important because spiritual leaders impact many veterans’ lives in a hands on way.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Marshall Health, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

Suicide Memorial Exhibit to Visit West Virginia University

  West Virginia University will host a traveling exhibit of 1,100 empty backpacks to represent the number of college students who die of suicide each year.

A news release from the university said the free exhibit will be Tuesday in front of Woodburn Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clinical director T. Anne Hawkins of the Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services says it’s hoped the exhibit will raise awareness of services available on campus and offer a place to reflect for people affected by suicide. Staff from the center will be available to provide support during the event.

The exhibit, called “Send Silence Packing,” was first unveiled in 2008 on the National Mall in Washington.

Tomblin Publicly Signs Suicide Prevention Bill

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin held a ceremonial bill signing at the Capitol today for Jamie’s law, a bill that mandates suicide prevention and awareness in West Virginia schools and on college and university campuses.

"We are only one family and ours is only one story." – Michelle Toman

Along with the governor and state Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano, Michelle Toman addressed those gather at the Capitol for the signing.

Toman is the sister of Jamie Campbell for whom House Bill 2535 is named. 

Jamie was just 18 years old when he took his own life more than 20 years ago, and since, Michelle said she has felt called to work in suicide prevention.

Jamie’s Law mandates suicide prevention and awareness be taught in West Virginia public schools and on college and university campuses. It also requires expanded access to mental health treatment at higher education institutions.

“This is the sound of silence being broken on suicide,” Toman said. “This is going to save lives.”

At the ceremony, Gov. Tomblin also declared September 15 Suicide Prevention Day.

The bill took effect in June.

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