For 20 years, the Center for Health & Learning (CHL) has been a force in New England for health promotion and, with the establishment of the VT Suicide Prevention Center in 2011, integrally involved in the prevention of suicide. CHL also developed Umatter, a national best practice program which prepares communities with the knowledge to save lives and promote well being. CHL's trainings and services ensure an ecological approach to advance health and prevent the devastating problem of suicide.
Suicide in VT and New England is a growing public health issue. Over the past 5 years of available data, VT's suicide rate has averaged about 35% higher than the US rate (CDC WISQARS). More than 10Xs as many people die by suicide in VT annually than by homicide. On average in VT, 1 person dies by suicide every 3 days. VT has had suicide prevention funding and has done work leading to good policies and prevention outcomes. But numbers for suicide rates remain high.
Addressing the challenge of suicide requires a community effort focusing on root causes, as well as personal and professional skill-building. CHL and the VT Suicide Prevention Center (VTSPC) provide resources to reduce the risk and tragedy of suicide. Here's what one professional has said about CHL: "Were it not for the trainings CHL offers, the school community would not have the depth of knowledge about suicide prevention, nor the tools to intervene when a student is in crisis."
CHL promotes well-being and systems change with long term positive outcomes. CHL helps ensure a comprehensive approach to promoting health and resiliency and evidence-based strategies that address priority public health problems. With your support, programs can be widely implemented. The impact: an upward movement away from crisis intervention toward a wellness based approach inspiring optimal health for all. This month, your donation will support the VTSPC and suicide prevention efforts.
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