Dear Friends and Colleagues –
The conference is less than two weeks away!  Please encourage anyone interested to get their registrations in today! 
Please note:  There are a limited number of scholarships available and special student pricing for registration!  Please reach out to Sharon at sandbergs@upmc.edu for more information!
As a reminder, the 7th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, will be taking place on Wednesday, September 27th at 8:00 AM at the beautiful Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center in Erie, PA.
This year's conference is themed: "A Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention: Recognizing and Supporting All Areas of Our Lives (based on the CDC’s Seven Suicide Prevention Strategies)."
Join us for a day filled with engaging sessions, inspiring speakers, and practical workshops. Together, we will explore innovative approaches to suicide prevention, learn effective strategies for intervention, and discover the importance of mental health and suicide awareness.
By attending this conference, you will not only gain valuable knowledge and skills, but also contribute to the collective effort of saving lives. Your presence can make a difference in someone's journey towards hope and healing.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something greater. Register now to secure your spot at the 2023 Suicide Prevention Conference..
Remember, together we can break the silence and save lives. We look forward to seeing you at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center on September 27th.
Best regards,
The Suicide Prevention Advisory Board

 


Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:00 AM
Suicide Prevention Conference 2023

Does anxiety interfere with your day-to-day life? Do you feel your relationships suffer because of your anxiety responses? Have you tried to manage your anxiety in the past and had poor results?
If you find your anxiety is interfering with your daily functioning, consider joining our FREE two session group experience. 

The last Friday of July (7/28/2023) and the first Friday of August (8/4/2023), our intern Joe Campasino, and Dr. Archer will be co-facilitating a FREE two session anxiety management group at our Edinboro location!

The content of this group will include a working definition of anxiety, common symptoms of anxiety, and various ways anxiety can be expressed. This group will offer an introduction to anxiety management strategies, practice using anxiety management skills, fine tuning anxiety management strategies to fit individual situations, and group processing of various anxiety and anxiety management experiences. 

At the conclusion of this group, participants can expect to be able to identify anxiety symptoms and utilize strategies to manage or even prevent their anxiety symptoms. 

JOIN THE GROUP
The first session will be Friday July 28th from 1pm – 2:30pm, and the second session will be August 4th from 1pm – 2:30pm.

The group will have a limited number of spots available, so contact us today to express your interest. Dr. Archer and/or Joe will be reaching out to those interested, in the order of requests, to determine if you would be a good fit for this opportunity. 

To be placed on the waitlist, please call 844.977.2847 and choose extension 1, option 1.
Leave a message with your name, and your phone number, we will return calls in the order received.

School is letting out and the excitement of summer vacation is near. For many of us this time of year brings improved mental health, but for others there can be a decline in mental health.

Unfortunately, the warmer months don’t bring a positive emotional boost for everyone. Below is some information on mental health decline in the summer months.  
Increased Stress
For some, warmer temperatures instigate an increase in stress levels. When under stress, there is often an increase in irritability and aggression.    
Depression and Suicide Risk
Nori-Sarma et al. (2022) investigated emergency room visits for mental health related concerns in relation to outside temperature levels. Their research revealed that emergency room visits for mental health reasons 
(across the United States) are 8% more likely on the hottest days. 

Science has identified factors related to a mental health boost in the warmer months. 
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Vitamin D
Increased sun exposure leads to increased vitamin D levels, a factor in positive mental health. 
Spending time in the sun also helps your body produce more melatonin (sleep hormone) at night, allowing you to sleep better. Good sleep is important for a positive mood!

Physical Activity
Warmer weather leads to being outside walking, kayaking, jogging, swimming, and several 
other outdoor activities. The scientific community has provided numerous links between physical 
activity and improved mental wellbeing.

Our latest newsletter  Welcoming our intern Joe in May, and recognizing Counseling Awareness Month.​

Did you have a New Year’s resolution to be healthier in 2023 but you’re struggling with the “how-to”?
The headings and questions that follow are based on the 8 dimensions of wellness (SAMHSA, 2016). Perhaps these questions will help guide you toward achieving your health and wellness goals.
Physical Wellness
Are your nutritional needs being met? Are you getting the recommended amount of sleep each day? Are you physically moving your body?
Intellectual Wellness
Are you engaging in activities to keep your mind active? Do you make efforts to better understand others and their point of view? Have you considered attending or teaching a class on an area you are enthusiastic about?
Financial Wellness
Are your spending and saving habits in line with your long term goals? Does your current source of income allow you to meet your financial obligations and have additional resources? Do you have debt? If so, do you have a plan to manage your debt efficiently?
Environmental Wellness
Do you participate in conservation efforts? Is your personal work space well organized? Do you find enjoyment in your living space? Are you spending time outdoors?
Spiritual Wellness
Have you defined your personal values? Do you share your personal values and beliefs with others? Do you take the time to reflect on your personal sense of spirituality?
Social Wellness
Do you reserve quality time for friends and family? Are you making time to meet new people or visit new places? Are you taking part of social interest groups that are meaningful to you?
Occupational Wellness
Do you feel personal satisfaction in your work? Does your career provide you with a sense of accomplishment? Does your work fit your values? Do you schedule leisure time?
Emotional Wellness
Are you able to acknowledge your feelings without judgment? Do you manage your stress in ways that feel restorative? Do you take responsibility for your own behavior? Are there people in your life you have developed safe and trusting relationships with?
 

ARE YOU A MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST CURIOUS ABOUT HOW TO START YOUR OWN PRACTICE? 
Mindful Paths Network offers services to help you get started with and/or continue to develop your 
private practice! Contact us today to inquire about how we can support you in the process!

Are you noticing the cooler weather and less daylight are correlating to decreased feelings of well-being? If so, you aren’t alone. Keep reading for simple lifestyle choices that may benefit your physical and mental health during the coming months.
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• FOOD CHOICES
You might notice that comfort food quickly boosts your mood. Have you also noticed that you have a “crash” sometime after consuming these foods?

Research suggests that healthier food options correlate with a more sustainable sense of well-being.
A helpful hint to finding more sustainable nutrition in a grocery store is to shop around the perimeter, where the fresh and unprocessed foods are usually found.

• ACTIVITY LEVELS
Are you moving your body less during these darker months? It is important to engage in physical activity (of any type) year-round to maintain your physical well-being, which is directly linked to mental well-being.

Research shows physical activity does not need to be rigorous to be beneficial. Take care to always be mindful of your personal body needs and consult your doctor if you aren’t sure.

• INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Are you feeling hopeless when communicating with someone close to you? Sometimes communication styles and miscommunications cause us stress and can lead to feelings of depression over time. If this sounds familiar to you, consult a mental health professional to work on interpersonal communication skills.

If you are in an unsafe relationship, there is help. Reach out for help when you are being abused. A national resource for getting the help you need is the national domestic violence hotline: 1.800.799.7233

• SLEEP SCHEDULES
Feeling tired, or that you cannot get restful sleep?
Sleep is often the number one culprit for poor healing both physically and mentally.
Without proper sleep and sleep hygiene (the routine you follow to get yourself ready to fall and stay asleep), your body and mind can both suffer.
​
The general guideline for an adult is 7-9 hours of sleep each night for an adult, 8-10 hours for a teen, 9-12 hours for school age children and even more sleep for younger children. If you suspect sleep could be hindering your ability to function properly, you might consider consulting your doctor to find a solution.

Suicide has a devastating impact on us all. Risk factors for suicide vary greatly including single life events, longstanding mental health struggles, or the impact of experiencing lifelong trauma, to name a few.
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Unaddressed conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance problems can increase risk for suicide.  Most people who take an active role in managing their mental health concerns engage in life’s ups and downs without considering suicide. If you or someone you care for struggle with mental health concerns, talk to someone you trust, or seek professional help.

Important Suicide Prevention related information:
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■ As of July 16th, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has changed to 988. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 10-digit number — 1-800-273-8255 — will remain active, but calls will be routed to 988. People who call or text the number will be connected to a trained counselor at a crisis center closest to them.
■ At 9pm (EST) on September 13th, PBS is set to air “Facing Suicide”, a film that explores the experience of those impacted by suicide and as well as research being conducted to improve prevention and treatment efforts.
■ Upcoming Luncheon to Raise Awareness in Waterford: September 17th from 12pm-2pm, the American Legion Post 285 is hosting “Breaking Bread with Heroes”; free registration at https://rb.gy/ucammr
-Looking to volunteer for this event? Contact Patti at 878-208-8186 or pag109@pitt.edu, there’s a need for volunteers to cover shifts on September 15th and 16th from 9am – 5pm for “slicing, dicing, and meal prep” and on September 17th from 7am – 2pm for “cooking for Breaking Bread with Heroes”
■ This years’ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk will be held at Presque Isle Rotary Pavilion at 11am on September 24th.
For more information, please contact:
Contact: Julie Mehlenbacher 814-230-2455 /  julieAFSP@gmail.com
              Gina Bizzarro (814-504-0175 / ginaAFSP@gmail.com