Friday, September 5, 2014

"One World Connected” Theme of This Year’s National Suicide Prevention Week

Awareness and Remembrance Events to Happen throughout September
Denver, Colorado. September 5, 2014.  Having a strong sense of community and belonging is one of the most powerful protective factors against suicide. When people feel connected to something larger than themselves, they are often able to weather life’s hardships much better than those who feel isolated or who believe that they have become a burden to those who love them. For these reasons, Colorado is celebrating connection by promoting this theme – “One World Connected” – during the 2014 National Suicide Prevention Week, September 8-14. For more information: www.suicidepreventioncolorado.org.
Colorado ranks 9th in the nation in its rate of suicide deaths. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States with one suicide occurring on average every 13.3 minutes. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. Approximately 987,950 American attempt suicide each year. It is estimated that five million living Americans have attempted to kill themselves. Every year in the United States, more than 19,500 men and women kill themselves with a gun; two-thirds more than the number who use a gun to kill another person. An estimated 4.8 million Americans are survivors of suicide of a friend, family member, or loved one. During this week, many Colorado-based suicide prevention and mental health promotion organizations will be hosting awareness and remembrance events to bring people together, offer support, build skills, and mobilize change.
Throughout the month of September, around the state people will be connecting through community walks and candle-lighting ceremonies to honor those lost to suicide, to recognize those who are surviving suicidal intensity, and to celebrate the solidarity of communities pulling together to support the cause of suicide prevention.
SUICIDE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IN COLORADO -- SEPTEMBER
Special events highlighted, other events on-going support groups/meetings)
SEPT 6th: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention South Metro Community Walk
9am – 12pm Highlands Ranch High School
SEPT 8th: HOPE Coalition of Boulder Monthly Meeting
1pm – 3pm First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine St, Boulder
SEPT 9th & 10th: ASIST Training (2-day training)
8:30am – 4:30pm 9250 Zotos Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO, United States
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills 2-day training
Douglas County Sheriff's Office - Highlands Ranch Substation
Please arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign-in
SEPT 10th:  WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
SPCC Educational Session and General Meeting
9:30am – 11:30am Mental Health Center of Denver, 4141 E Dickenson
Educational sessions and meetings are open to the public
To conference call in: 218-844-8230, 597856#
Heartbeat -- Eagle County, Avon
6:30pm – 8:00pm Beaver Creek Chapel, Avon
HEARTBEAT is peer support offering empathy, encouragement and direction following the suicide of a loved one.
Contact: Jill Baron at (970) 309-7699
Survivors of Suicide Support Group (Adults Only 18+)
7:30pm – 9:00pm VAST Wellness Center Classroom/ 2323 South Troy St. Suite 3-107, Aurora
Contact: Robin Perkins, MS/ 303.204.6956/robin@turningpointfamilytherapy.com
Charge: $10 per person per meeting (Discounts and waivers available)
World Suicide Prevention Day Candle-lighting Ceremony at Union Station
7:15 – 8:30pm Union Station, Denver
Free and open to the public
SEPT 11th: SOS: Survivors of Suicide
7pm – 9pm Littleton Adventist Hospital, 7700 S. Broadway, Littleton
Contact: Carol, 720.328.9229 | Lisa, 303.697.6984 | Shelly, 303.378.5028
SEPT 12th: Survivors of a Spouse's/Partner's Suicide
6:30pm – 8:00pm 7009 S. Potomac St, Suite 109 Centennial CO 80112 (map)
This group is for persons who have had a partner or spouse die by suicide. 
Please RSVP at least 24 hours ahead of time for preparation and materials
Contact: Jocelyn Hilling, MA 303-249-2859jhilling@atpeacetherapycenters.com
SEPT 13th:  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Community Walk in Fort Morgan
9am – 12pm Riverside Park Nature Trail, Fort Morgan, Colorado, USA
Registration: 9:00 am; Walk start 10:00 am
SEPT 15th: Heartbeat Pueblo
6pm – 8pm 1008 Minnequa Ave. Pueblo, CO 81004 (map)
New members must participate in a brief counseling session prior to joining the group.
Contact: 719-564-6642 for more information.
Southwest Metro HEARTBEAT
7pm – 9pm Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, 6337 S. Robb Way, Littleton
SEPT 16th: Heartbeat Greeley
7pm – 9pm Greeley 
Contact: Patty Lloyd for locationpatty.lloyd@northrange.org
Heartbeat Support -- Mesa County
7pm – 9pm Miller House at the Hospice Complex -- 3090 N 12th St
Contact: 985-4551
Parents Surviving Suicide Monthly Meeting
7pm – 9pm Bethany Lutheran Church, Room 210, 4500 East Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO
Contact: Vivian Epstein vsepublisher@earthlink.net
SEPT 18th: Heartbeat Fort Lupton
7pm – 9pm Fort Lupton, Regular location TBD
Contact: Patty Lloyd for locationpatty.lloyd@northrange.org
SEPT 21st :13th Annual Second Wind Walk/Run
10am – 11am Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden, CO
SEPT 23rd:  East Metro HEARTBEAT
7pm – 9pm HeartLight Center, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora
Contact: Katie Ford, 303.755.2679 or 720.300.8213kford1046@q.com
SEPT 24th: Heartbeat -- Eagle County, Avon
6:30pm – 8:00pm Beaver Creek Chapel, Avon
Support Group for Family & Friends Affected by Suicide.
Contact: Jill Baron at (970) 309-7699
SEPT 25th: Sound Out for Life Training (Telling Our Stories Safely and Effectively)
5:30pm – 8:30pm Mountain States Employers Council 1799 Pennsylvania St, Denver
Co-hosted by the Carson J Spencer Foundation and the Center for Dignity, Recovery and Empowerment. Based on best practices and research for stigma change, the Sound out for Life program trains individuals to communicate their messages of hope and recovery to the general public and specific groups as well. By “Sounding Out” about their journey, including experiences of trauma and stigma, moments of transformation and personal growth, people who’ve attempted suicide or lost loved ones to suicide connect their audiences to the importance of open dialogue and positive support that can make all the difference when people are in need.
SEPT 27th: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Community Walk in Grand Junction
9am – 12pm Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, Struthers Avenue
SEPT 29th-OCT 1st Conversations for Life/Working Minds Train-the-Trainer Workshop
8:00pm -- 5:00pm Mountain States Employers Council, Meeting Room 5 1799 Pennsylvania St
Denver
Co-hosted by the Carson J Spencer Foundation and Australia partners in suicide prevention
Combination 3-day training on getting upstream from a suicide crisis by learning skills in communication, support and referral.
For more information go towww.suicidepreventioncolorado.org or email Sally Spencer-Thomas (Sally@CarsonJSpencer.org). For more information about the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado, visitwww.suicidepreventioncolorado.org, or call 720-352-7505.
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About the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado:The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado (SPCC) was formed in 1999, when concerned citizens set out to create a statewide agency with the purpose of preventing suicide and creating a resource network for those who were working to prevent suicide around the state. Today, SPCC’s membership of concerned agencies, organizations and individuals who are working in the areas of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention has statewide reach. The mission of the SPCC is to reduce suicide and its impact for all Coloradans through advocacy, collaboration and education. www.suicidepreventioncolorado.org
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Monday, August 25, 2014

Facebook Recognized for Leadership in Suicide Prevention



Carson J Spencer Foundation Gives “Media All-Star Award” at Denver Gala Reception

Denver, Colorado. August 23, 2014.  In 2008 several suicides occurred on a railroad near the Palo Alto community where Facebook employees passed every day on their way to work. The Facebook team was so affected by these tragedies, the employees resolved that they would do what they could to help with suicide prevention. Over the ensuing years they developed best practices in policies and operations to help other tech companies connect distressed people to qualified resources. Rita Fabi, Marketing Manager at Facebook, will be on hand to receive the “All-Star Media Award” from the Carson J Spencer Foundation on August 24th, 2014 at 5:30pm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. During this event CJSF will celebrate its 10th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala, a “blacktie optional” occasion. For more information visit: www.CarsonJSpencer.org.

The “Media All-Star Award” goes each year to a media company or journalist who is helping to promote suicide-safer public messaging.

“We asked ourselves, ‘what can we do to help,’” says Fabi about how Facebook got involved in suicide prevention. “Now we influence people worldwide in many languages through our partnerships and best practices for suicide prevention.”

For more about Facebook’s best practices: www.PreventTheAttempt.com


Interview with Rita Fabi, Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfkPR2Oik_A&list=UU64lzW7fPL5t1VMS3TsGPlQ
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Centennial-Based Printing Company Honored with Award for Philanthropy in Suicide Prevention


Cottrell Printing Receives “Corporate Shooting Star” Award from Carson J Spencer Foundation

Denver, Colorado. August 23, 2014.   Cottrell Printing is a 42-year old family company that is making suicide prevention a cause they care about. Over the past year they have made significant in-kind contributions to a Denver based suicide prevention organization, the Carson J Spencer Foundation. For their support, Cottrell will be recognized with the Corporate Shooting Star Award at the Shining Lights of Hope Gala on August 24th, 2014 at 5:30pm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The Gala’s 10th Anniversary will be a “blacktie optional” sell-out event (410 people expected). For more information visit: www.CarsonJSpencer.org.

 The Corporate Shooting Star Award goes each year to a business that has gone above and beyond in supporting suicide prevention and the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s mission.

“Believe it or not, we read what we print,” says Kim Thorne, COO of Cottrell Printing about how their staff has learned about suicide prevention from printing material for the Carson J Spencer Foundation. “When you read it, you talk about it. Mental health has become more of an open subject.”

“What I like most is Man Therapy,” mentions Thorne about an innovative men’s mental health program of the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s in partnership with Cactus and Colorado’s Office of Suicide Prevention. “It’s a valuable tool to get emotional support for men like me.”

More about Man Therapy: www.ManTherapy.org

Full interview with Kim Thorne here: http://youtu.be/WQjkj17zcOY?list=UU64lzW7fPL5t1VMS3TsGPlQ


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One World Connected: World Suicide Prevention Day

One World Connected: World Suicide Prevention Day
 Candle-lighting Ceremony for all those Affected by the Tragedy of Suicide

Denver, Colorado. August 26, 2014.  Imagine a world free from the tragedy of suicide. Imagine a world where people bereaved by suicide could honor their loved ones with dignity and those who have survived their own suicide attempts could access supports needed and be empowered in their recovery. World Suicide Prevention Day represents a call for action and involvement by all governments and organizations worldwide to contribute to the cause of suicide awareness and prevention through activities, events, conferences and campaigns in their country. By collaborating together in this endeavor, we can indeed save lives. Around the globe, on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th at 8:00pm, people will be gathering to recognize this mission by lighting a candle wherever they are. In Denver, the Carson J Spencer Foundation is hosting a public candle-lighting ceremony on the plaza Union Station. The ritual will be preceded by a brief reception inside Union Station.
What
World Suicide Prevention Day Reception and Candle-lighting Ceremony
Around the world, on September 10th at 8:00pm people affected by suicide will stand in solidarity and light a candle to honor the loss, struggle and healing and the hope for a world free from the tragedy of suicide.  This year the Carson J Spencer Foundation will first host a brief reception inside Union Station followed by this honoring ritual on the plaza. 
Where
Union Station, Denver
When
7:15pm-8:30pm, September 10th
Who
All those bereaved by suicide, suicide attempt survivors and their families/friends, all those who support the cause of suicide prevention and mental health promotion. The event is free and open to the public.
Contact
Camie Sweet Camie@CarsonJSpencer.org | 303-219-5045
More Information: iasp.info/wspd | www.CarsonJSpencer.org 
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Friday, August 15, 2014

Winners Announced in Student Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition

The Carson J Spencer Foundation Awards Winners in Youth Social Enterprises to Prevent Suicide at 10th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala




Denver, Colorado. August 14, 2014. Social Entrepreneurship is the art of “using business skills to solve social ills.” This year over 1,000 Colorado youth did just after starting their own Social Enterprise in their schools across the state.  At the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s (CJSF) 10th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala, two of these schools will be recognized as “Social Enterprise of the Year.” The event will take place on August 24th at 5:30pm at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Details here: https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50819/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=76477

Each year CJSF recognizes students who create businesses that both generate profit while also creating a significant social impact for youth suicide and awareness efforts.  This year 48 classrooms across the state of Colorado competed in the 6th annual “FIRE Within Business Plan Competition.”  Since the beginning of the school year, entrepreneurship and business leadership classes from Denver, Boulder, Brighton, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Aspen and other areas in the state participated in this social entrepreneurship program called the “FIRE Within.” Student learn about entrepreneurship, marketing, budgeting, and business plan creation and then compete for seed funding.
A panel of judges from around the country, most founders or in some way involved in their own social enterprise, donated their time and expertise to judge the submitted business plans and rated these businesses on innovation, profitability, effectiveness and sustainability.

“The level of professionalism and commitment among these students’ was truly special.  The fact that they actually get hands on experience in starting and running a business geared around a social issue in their community is impressive, the fact they are successful is outstanding,” mentioned one of the competition judges.

The award for Social Enterprise of the Year in the returning business category was won by George Washington High School, led by FIRE Educator Jenn Marshall.   After learning students were overwhelmed by studies and getting into college, George Washington students started a business geared around “Learning Workshops” for students, touching on subjects like time management and college readiness.  They generated money by charging for these workshops. So impressed with their work, Denver Public Schools created the following video about these students’ success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYH0ON9Lac0&feature=youtu.be.

The award for Social Enterprise of the Year in the new business category was awarded to Mountain Vista High School, led by FIRE Educator Mark Towne.  Mountain Vista decided to start a business around building unity after they learned students in their school felt isolated.  Their product was a sticker that promoted an evidence-based suicide prevention strategy called “Question, Persuade, Refer.”

“What I want to tell other student leaders is just one person can make a difference – helping others and spreading the cause,” said Mountain Vista student, Brenna Jensen.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, 40-50 classrooms in Colorado will be implementing the FIRE Within program in partnership with Junior Achievement and the Second Wind Fund. The program will also commence a national pilot with new schools in New York City, San Francisco, and Massachusetts.

For more information about how your community can get involved with the FIRE Within contact Sally Spencer-Thomas Sally@CarsonJSpencer.org or visit www.CarsonJSpencer.org or 720-244-6535.
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