News and Events

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Domestic Violence Prevention Is Suicide Prevention

Domestic Violence Prevention Is Suicide Prevention

Hanna H., University of Kansas Social Welfare Intern and KSPHQ Crisis Counselor

It is Domestic Violence Awareness month. As an advocate for victims/survivors as well as a counselor at HQ, I think it is important to understand how domestic violence can impact those who experience it. So, what does it mean to be a victim/survivor, and how does experiencing trauma impact mental health? Continue reading “Domestic Violence Prevention Is Suicide Prevention”

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Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ hosts the first-ever ZeroSuicide Academy in Kansas

ZeroSuicide Update: Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ hosts the first-ever ZeroSuicide Academy in Kansas, by Monica Kurz

So often we say “help is available” when we are encouraging our friends, family, or even ourselves to reach out when experiencing mental health distress or a suicide crisis. It is unfortunate that many people experience disappointment or confusion when they reach out for that help. Maybe they are reluctant to reach out again because they are fearful that it will just end in an inpatient hospitalization that is scary and often not very helpful with the things that led to the suicide crisis. 

Zero Suicide is an audacious goal set by healthcare providers that no one in their care will die by suicide. It is audacious because it is difficult and worthwhile. One death is too many. Zero Suicide is also a framework that can be utilized by healthcare providers (mental health, substance use, and physical health) to engage in systems change.  Continue reading “Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ hosts the first-ever ZeroSuicide Academy in Kansas”

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KSPHQ presents Adventures in Fundraising, a (nearly) 24-hour tele-web-a-text-a-thon

KSPHQ presents Adventures in Fundraising, a (nearly) 24-hour tele-web-a-text-a-thon! 1:00 central on Friday, September 25-Noon on Saturday, September 26.

View on YouTube by clicking here

You can also see the stream (and subsequent saved videos) on our Facebook, Twitter, or even LinkedIn page!

We’ll be streaming across all of our social media accounts, including this one, to raise money for comprehensive suicide prevention education, support, and crisis services provided by Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ across Kansas through our two programs, Headquarters Counseling Center and the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Please check back or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed and educated!

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World Suicide Prevention Day Luminaries at KSPHQ

Due to wet conditions, we are POSTPONING tonight’s World Suicide Prevention Day Luminaries to next Monday, September 14. We’re very sad to move the event, but the paper luminaries are not going to hold up in the wet conditions today.

We thank you for your understanding. This was a hard decision to make. Tonight, on World Suicide Prevention Day, we ask you to place a candle in your window at home to remember the loved ones we have lost, to celebrate the strength of those who are with us, and to honor anyone who grieves. You are loved. You are valued. You are appreciated.

 
You are loved. You are valued. You are appreciated.

Continue reading “World Suicide Prevention Day Luminaries at KSPHQ”

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Parenting from an HQ counselor perspective

By Kalli Sanders, HQ Counselor, Peer Support Counselor, and Administrative Coordinator (hey, we all wear a lot of hats around there)

I work at a suicide prevention crisis line. I’m also a mom. Like all parents, I’m horrified at the thought of somehow losing my child. We promote seatbelts and street safety. We talk about safety at home and in public. Our kids have lockdown drills at school to prepare for active shooters. Yet, it’s suicide that is the 2nd leading cause of death for kids ages 10-24. Continue reading “Parenting from an HQ counselor perspective”

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Safety Planning

Building a safety plan, Jared Auten, LMSW

Safety is certainly a concept on the minds of many as we navigate a global pandemic. Our current moment highlights how a crisis, at a minimum, discombobulates us and leaves us feeling out of sorts. Instead of feeling calm and collected we might be figuratively filling the car with toilet paper or denying the fact that there is a problem in the first place (maybe this analogy is just too literal). The point is that planning for safety doesn’t have to be a reactionary response or an afterthought.

Now, safety planning as it relates to suicide prevention and intervention isn’t the same as getting ready for a global pandemic like a doomsday-prepper, but it does entail the same basic principle; if we thoughtfully prepare and plan for a crisis, then the outcome can be improved and the intensity of the experience can be reduced.

Safety planning is a preventative strategy for managing individual suicide risk and mental health crises. It is something we can do for ourselves or collaboratively with a loved one or mental health/ healthcare professional. Using basic strategies and thinking about and writing out a plan, we’re working to recognize existing protective factors and reduce risk factors during a crisis.

It goes like this: Continue reading “Safety Planning”