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September 2024

Governor's Mental Health Newsletter

September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to remember the lives lost to suicide, acknowledge the millions more who have experienced suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide. It’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.


During September, and throughout the year, we can care about suicide prevention; connect to community, culture, data, and research; and collaborate with others to address this public health problem that has impacted millions of Americans.


Please join the Governor as he signs the Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation on September 11th at 10:45am at the Capitol in the Governor's Ceremonial Conference Room.

National Suicide Prevention Week

9.08.2024 - 9.14.2024


This week-long campaign aims to inform and engage the general public about suicide prevention and to warn about the rising suicide rates in the United States. By drawing attention to the problem of suicide in the United States, the campaign also strives to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, as well as encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance and support people who have attempted suicide.


As we protect our mental health and cope with uncertainty, it's more important than ever that we be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide.


Learn more about Suicide Prevention Week here.

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organization (WHO), in conjunction with the International Association for Suicide Prevention, recognizes this day every year with the goal to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving the singular message that suicides are preventable. The theme identified for 2024-2026 is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’ with an associated call to action of; ‘Start the Conversation’.

Upcoming Events

This month provides a valuable opportunity for people, organizations, and communities to bring awareness to the importance of suicide prevention. Several communities throughout Wyoming are hosting events that aim to foster a sense of unity and educate on suicide prevention. Below are events occurring across the state.

9.14.2024

Please join Cyber Shell Gaming for the third annual suicide prevention charity event! This charity tournament takes place on Saturday, September 14th at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. Individuals of all ages are welcomed for this all-day event, with multiple gaming brackets offered throughout the day for various skill levels.


Half of all proceeds will go towards support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and will support our local chapter to provide resources around the state, facilitate educational trainings, and assist advocacy efforts.

Register Here

9.14.2024

Please join the Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force for our annual Breaking the Silence; Suicide Prevention Walk on September 14th at 4pm at Crossroads Park (1011 N Poplar St.)


This event will provide awareness, information, and access to resources for individuals in our community to help prevent suicide, along with a time and space to remember loved ones who have been lost to suicide. Enjoy live music, grab your remembrance beads, and meet the Governor’s Council on Mental Health’s newly appointed state Suicidologist, Dr. Kent Corso!

Learn More

9.17.2024

Our Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.


NAMI Family Support Group is back in Wyoming! We are very excited to bring this free, support group to Wyoming. The group is virtual so anyone in Wyoming with a family member living with mental illness can join.

Register Here

9.20.2024

Join Dr. Rork with Wyoming Psychiatry & Consultation clinic and The Mental Wellness Collaborative for virtual rounds tailored for Teton County providers addressing community mental health needs. Connect via Zoom with peers and experts. Collaborate, seek guidance, and expand your network. Unite to support each other and those we serve!


The group meets on the third Friday of every month.

Register Here

9.21.2024

Please join the Community Prevention Coalition of Teton County for their second annual community walk for suicide prevention and awareness on September 21st at 3pm at the Teton County School District William T. McIntosh Stadium Track.


Together, let's walk for suicide prevention. Walk in remembrance of a loved one lost to suicide or for a loved one's suicide attempt. Hope walks for any distance or ability; interactive activities are available for all.


Come for a great cause! There will be free food, music, mental health resources, and a sense of community and connection.

CPCTC Facebook Page

9.22.2024

Come join us for a fun and memorable 5k event at Bond's Brewing Company! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to walk, jog, or run through Downtown Laramie with friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a casual stroll, this event is perfect for all fitness levels. Enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and community spirit as we come together for a great cause and to raise awareness for suicide in our community.


This Suicide Awareness & Memorial 5K is hosted by local nonprofit Love, Laramie, who are passionate about mental health and suicide prevention.

Learn More

9.26.2024 & 9.27.2024

The 5th Annual Northeast Prevention Summit brings together some of the brightest minds and national experts on mental health and other substance use. This two-day educational conference is focused on substance misuse, mental health, and suicide prevention. This year's Summit is co-hosted again by the Campbell County Prevention Coalition and Crook County's Be Well Coalition.


Whether you work in health care, treatment, prevention, mental health, education, law enforcement, are a coalition member or you just want to learn more about substances and mental health, then this summit is for you!


Registration fees are all-inclusive and include breakfast, lunch, snacks, beverages, prizes, and of course, networking opportunities.

Register Here

9.28.2024

Join us for the 3rd Annual Lip Sync Battle Fundraiser for suicide prevention and mental health promotion. You don't have to be impacted by suicide to attend, all are welcome. This event is full of fun, laughter, and support. We hope to provide an outlet to bring awareness to the hard topic of suicide that is not only entertaining but fun. All funds raised during the event are used to continue awareness and promotional activities, assist families after a suicide, and help provide counseling to those who need it. We never want the reason people don't seek help to be because of a lack of financial ability.


This year's theme is "Masquerade: Unmasking Mental Illness." Feel free to dress up based on what this means to you; you can bring your own mask, or one will be provided.

Register Here

Program Spotlight

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. The Wyoming Chapter was formed in 2012.


AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:



  • Funding scientific research
  • Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
  • Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
  • Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in our mission 


AFSP Wyoming is active in Loss and Healing activities such as International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day as well as the Healing Conversations Program. We also have a very strong Advocacy team as well as provide educational programing and materials across the state to help encourage a culture in Wyoming that’s smart about mental health and having safe conversations. 

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk

Out of The Darkness Walks are AFSP's largest fundraiser. They produce millions for suicide prevention programs, unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are knowledgeable about mental health. The Out of the Darkness Walks are proof that when people work together, they can make big changes in the world. They give people the courage to open up about their own struggle or loss, and the platform to change our culture's approach to mental health. Please find details for Wyoming walks below.

Saturday

September 14, 2024

11:00 am - 2:00 pm



Whitney Commons Park

320 W. Alger St.

Sheridan, WY

Register Here

Saturday

September 28, 2024

10:00 am - 1:00 pm



Lions Park Ampitheater

600 Lions Park Dr.

Cheyenne, WY

Register Here

AFSP Volunteer 101

Join us for a Virtual Orientation to learn more about who AFSP is at the National and local levels. We'll also share how you can get involved with the fight to stop suicide. The Montana and Wyoming Chapters will host these the Third Tuesday of every month. The content will be the same each day. You only need to attend one.

Governor’s Mental Health Summit

Educational Series


With September being National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, two additional webinars have been scheduled. Please see details below:

Visit our Website

Talk Saves Lives:

An Introduction to Suicide Prevention

When: September 17th, 2024, 12:00 PM Mountain Time


Description: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention utilizes grassroots efforts to reduce the loss of life from suicide through innovative educational programs. "Talk Saves Lives" is part of their flagship suicide prevention education program that covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it.

Register Here

Certificates for

Professional Development

available.


***please note that the Talk Saves Lives presentation cannot be recorded per AFSP guidelines

PROSPER

A Comprehensive Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Certificates for

Professional Development

available.

When: September 24th, 2024, 2:00 PM Mountain Time


Description: Learn more about PROSPER Wyoming, a program that builds local capacity by empowering communities, fostering strengths-based action, leveraging local culture, and uniting people around suicide prevention. PROSPER is the culmination of over five decades of research into optimal strategies for suicide prevention and intervention, dynamically integrating contemporary suicidology findings.

Visit our Website

Resource Corner

Silver Sage Psychiatry


Silver Sage Psychiatry is dedicated to their communities and their mental health needs. Marisha VanVleet has thirty years of medical experience and serves those both in Uinta and Fremont County. She is the only outpatient psychiatric provider willing to see patients within 100 miles and is able to treat children within 250 miles. Learn more here.

October Events

Welcome to the Fall 2024 Governor's Mental Health Summit! Join us for a day of insightful discussions and workshops focusing on mental health awareness and support. This in-person event will take place at Events at The M on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, starting at 7:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time. Connect with experts in the field, share experiences, and learn about resources available in our community. Let's come together to prioritize mental well-being for all. See you there!

Register Here

Suicide remains a prevalent issue in Wyoming, resulting in preventable deaths that deeply impact individuals, families, and communities across the state. Please join the Wyoming Department of Health for their annual Suicide Prevention Symposium where experts from across Wyoming and the nation will cover topics such as veteran suicide, school-based mental health, the interaction of substance use and suicide, strategies for suicide prevention, and an overview of a Wyoming specific study on suicide.

Register Here

Collective Call to Action



We know we cannot address our mental health crisis in Wyoming in a vacuum. None of us can do it alone. The educational webinar series and this recently formed newsletter are attempts to maintain engagement and continue the conversation around mental health in Wyoming. Please share the opportunity to subscribe with your networks. Thank you for your commitment to this work.

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