Our work at the Center for Health & Learning to develop the VT Suicide Prevention Center (a public-private partnership) and Umatter suicide prevention (a national best practice program) prepares workers, youth, families and community members with the attitudes, knowledge, skills and resources to promote well-being and save lives. Our trainings, program assessments and strategic planning services ensure a comprehensive approach to advancing health and preventing devastating problems like suicide.
Addressing the challenge of suicide requires a strong, multi-pronged community prevention effort focusing on root causes, as well as personal and professional skill-building. Through the VT Suicide Prevention Center, CHL provides resources to reduce the risk of suicide, and our work to support professionals and help people connect to family, friends and community with programs like Zero Suicide Pilot Projects and Umatter trainings creates a change in culture that affects our entire community.
Last year, our work had a direct impact: Umatter Trainings educated 1,695 people in suicide prevention. Umatter Youth & Young Adults programs taught 115 youth healthy methods for coping with stress, as well as the ability to recognize and help peers in need. Survivor of Suicide Loss Resource Packets supported 200 community members. Implementation of the Zero Suicide approach trained 241 clinicians in specific strategies and tools for suicide prevention in health and mental health care systems.
CHL brings health advances to the field that promote well-being, identify problems before they become a crisis, and promote individual and systems change with long term positive outcomes. Our services, including the VT Suicide Prevention Center and Umatter, help ensure a comprehensive approach to promoting health and resiliency. As programs are widely implemented, we will see upward movement, away from crisis intervention and toward a wellness based approach that inspires optimal health for all.
