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Suicide Awareness Campaign
The Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition brings together organizations in Central Virginia who are working to educate residents about mental illness, risk factors for suicide and support resources within our community.
By educating people of all ages, we are widening the safety net in our community so we can:
- recognize the warning signs of suicide;
- take the appropriate steps to help the person in crisis;
- identify the appropriate help.
- Resilient Chesterfield
- Lock and Talk
- Veteran Suicide Awareness
- Teen Suicide Awareness
- Resources
- Coalition
Resilient Chesterfield
Resilient Chesterfield is the theme for the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition’s 2021 Suicide Prevention Month campaign.
Resilience is:
- the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity or challenges;
- essential to positive mental and physical health;
- a skill that must be modeled, taught, and practiced.
Stories of Resilience
As part of this campaign people who live, work, play and do business in Chesterfield shared their personal stories of resilience. Learn more about their journeys.
Resources
There are many great books for children, tweens, teens and adults about resilience. Pick one up at your local branch of the Chesterfield County Public Library or favorite bookseller.
View our Resilience Book List (PDF).
Self care is important to building and maintaining resilience. Get ideas from this Self Care Strategies for Resilience (PDF) list.
Need Assistance
Connecting with help is a sign of resilience.
If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide reach out to Chesterfield Crisis Intervention 804-748-6356 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-TALK (8255).
Lock and Talk
Lock and Talk is part of a statewide comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. It is intended to:
- Prevent suicides by limiting access to firearms, medications and other potentially dangerous items during a mental health crisis.
- Educate the community about how to recognize and respond to warning signs of suicide.
Lock
Means safety is the most effective method of preventing suicides from occurring. It is about limiting access to lethal means for a person during a time of crisis.
Talk
Talking about the problem of suicide can save lives, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
Talking also helps the healing process for survivors.
If Someone is in Crisis
1. Ask the question.
"Are you thinking suicide?"
2. Show you care by:
- Saying "I care about you and want to help."
- Connecting them to safety resources.
Teaching people in our community how to have these life promoting conversations is vital to our mission.
We promote safe and responsible care of guns, medications, and other means that can harm.
Reduce easy access by locking or removing potentially dangerous items including the following:
- Firearms or other weapons – Lock them securely using a gun safe or trigger or cable lock.
- Lock and monitor all medications due to potential for abuse and overdose.
- Alcohol can increase the risk for a person with thoughts of suicide to act on them. Alcohol impairs judgement and can increase the lethality of a medication overdose.
- Reduce access to other household items or locations that may pose a threat.
Need Assistance
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call Chesterfield Mental Health Emergency Services at 804-748-6356 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
For more information, visit Lock and Talk.
Additional Resources
Resource Booklet
The coalition has created a resource booklet for those who want to learn more about ways to prevent suicide and warning signs.
To obtain a booklet attend coalition presentations and events, call 804-378-0035 or Jill Weiseman.
Educational Program
Raise Your Voice about Suicide Prevention was produced by the coalition to teach residents how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and the steps to take to help the person in crisis.
The program is provided free to religious, civic and other groups in Chesterfield County. To schedule a presentation for your organization, call Jill Weiseman at 804-378-0035.
Support Groups for Survivors
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Virginia Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
- Morrissett Community Care Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Group
- Full Circle Suicide Loss Group
- AFSP Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
Need Assistance
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency contact Chesterfield Crisis Intervention at 804-748-6356.
Coalition
Founded in 2015, the mission of the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition is to increase the coordination of suicide prevention and awareness activities in Chesterfield through educational programs, community outreach and media efforts.
The coalition is a collaborative organization comprised of representatives from community organizations that have a role in promoting suicide prevention and awareness in Chesterfield County. Member organizations provide a representative to monthly meetings and subcommittees and support coalition events.
For more information about the coalition, including how to join, please email Melissa Ackley or call 804-706-2010.