Physical Health United States Project #42528

Partnering With You to Prevent Suicide

by Center for Health & Learning

Summary

The Center for Health & Learning (CHL) has been a dedicated provider of suicide prevention and public health education programs for 20 years. With the VT Suicide Prevention Center, CHL has been integrally involved in the prevention of suicide across multiple settings. CHL also developed Umatter, connecting schools and communities with practices that save lives and promote institutional knowledge and helping care providers, educational leaders, young adults, and professionals prevent suicide.

$30,000
total goal

$7,362
remaining

240
donors

2
monthly donors

2
fundraisers

3
years

Challenge

Suicide in VT and the Northeast is a growing public health issue. More than 10x as many people die by suicide in Vermont annually than by homicide, and on average, one person dies by suicide every three days. The Depts. of Health in VT have taken seriously the need to expand suicide prevention efforts and applying CHL's important practices improve prevention outcomes across continuums. With the ongoing crisis of the pandemic, suicide prevention efforts are more important than ever.

Solution

Addressing the challenge of suicide requires statewide and community efforts focused on root causes and personal and professional skill building. CHL and The VT Suicide Prevention Center provide resources to reduce risk and improve care. 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 or teaching associate is in crisis."

Long-Term Impact

CHL has delivered quality services to school and community professionals about suicide prevention. We are committed to meet the increased demand for online training created by COVID as the need for online trainings about suicide prevention becomes more pressing. CHL's support enables those who have not worked with people who are suicidal to take active roles in mental health services. The impact is a movement away from crisis intervention and towards optimal health.