Tips for Tough Conversations
Are You Ok?
Talking to Youth About Suicide
Warning Signs:
  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Extreme mood swings
Teens and suicide: What parents should know

As a parent, you can approach suicide prevention in the same way you do other safety or health issues for your children. By educating yourself, you can learn what puts kids at greatest risk for suicide - and what protects them most strongly.

Read more
afsp.org
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call (800) 273-TALK (8255), 211 in CT or text the Crisis Text Line: CT to 741741. For emergencies, call 911.
Good News for Suicide Prevention
The existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 10-digit number — 1-800-273-TALK — and it has seen a rise in call volume in recent years.

Still, the number isn't easy to remember or dial in times of crisis, says Gebbia. "When you're in crisis and you're already emotionally upset, the hardest thing to do is find the number that's a 10-digit number and call it."

A three-digit number makes it a lot easier. "When there are other emergencies, we know 911," he says. "It's ingrained in our heads — we don't have to think about it."

He and other mental health advocates think the new 988 number will become similarly widely accepted and used.
A national three-digit number will make it far easier for millions of Americans to reach out for help and get immediate connection to care when they're experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis," says Kimberly Williams, president and CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the organization that runs the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. "Most importantly, 988 will help save lives." Read full article.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health has received a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance statewide suicide prevention efforts, Gov. Ned Lamont announced at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford Thursday morning.

The grant, which runs through Aug. 31, 2025, will be a joint effort between DPH, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and UConn Health. The prevention efforts will concentrate on populations that are disproportionately impacted by suicide or attempted suicide, including middle-aged adults, particularly men with mental illness or substance use disorder, and adolescents and young adults (ages 10-24). Read full article.
Resources
FREE Weekly Mindfulness Meditation Drop-in Class
Positive Directions is partnering with Alena Murphy, a mindfulness meditation teacher, to offer FREE Zoom meditation classes beginning Friday, November 13th from
12 - 12:30 PM.

No commitment is necessary; join in when you're able. If you are interested please pre-register by contacting the Positive Directions office at 203-227-7644 or info@positivedirections.org.


Meet Alena Murphy

Podcast for Social Workers
The #MacroSW Podcast

We are a collaboration of social workers, organizations, social work schools, and individuals working to promote macro social work practice. Macro social work practice focuses on changing larger systems, such as ...

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open.spotify.com
Job Opportunity

Ridgefield H.S. Full-Time, Wilton H.S. Part-Time

The TeenTalk Mental Health Counselor is responsible for providing confidential counseling and support to students and families in the assigned school and the community. S/he will support and collaborate with existing student support services and school staff by helping to identify at risk youths and develop appropriate actions for early assessment and intervention. Learn more and apply.

The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP) 

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