Physical Health United States Project #30541

Umatter -- Suicide Prevention in New England!

by Center for Health & Learning

Project Report | May 15, 2018
Big thanks to Betsy LeBlanc for her fundraiser!

By Sara Haimowitz | Director of Development

Betsy and her pup walk the Long Trail!

Thanks so much to Betsy LeBlanc for her fundraising effort for Umatter and the VT Suicide Prevention Center!

Betsy is implemeting a community awareness project called: "No One Has to Walk Alone". Her mission is to foster an open conversation about suicide and the surrounding mental health issues in an inclusive, stigma free environment so that "no one has to walk alone."

According to the Vermont Suicide Prevention Center, Vermont has the 11th highest rate of suicide in the nation, with 118 suicides in 2016, an average of two deaths per week. However, because of societal stigma, these deaths are often not reported or mentioned in obituaries, with the result that suicide is not recognized for the public health crisis that it is.

This July, Betsy, with her dog Sam, will hike the 272 mile Long Trail, one our country's most beautiful and challenging long distance trails. She is hiking to support Umatter Suicide prevention, a national best practices program.

Betsy has created a special fundraising page here on the Global Giving site. The public is encouraged to follow Betsy and Sam's progress by visiting the "No One Has Walk Alone" page, like her page on Facebook and share it and follow her on Instagram @elisabeth_betsy_leblanc.

By supporting "No One Has to Walk Alone' we can work together as a community to understand and prevent suicide.

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Feb 16, 2018
Feb. 13th was Suicide Prevention Awareness Day

By Sara Haimowitz | Director of Development

JoEllen Tarallo of CHL, receives the Resolution

I’m writing to tell you about how on Feb. 13th, the Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition (VT SPC), facilitated by the Center for Health and Learning (CHL), showed up in force at the Vermont State House to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

The Vermont State Legislature designated February 13th, 2018, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Day at the State House.

In a state where on average, two Vermonters a week die by suicide, this was a tremendous success in getting recognition that suicide is a public health issue and that suicide is preventable.

Legislators received a red Carnation as they walked into the House Chamber, representing one Vermonter who died by suicide this past year.

In addition to CHL, these organizations participated and/or provided testimony:

Vermont 211
VT Dept of Mental Health
VT Dept of Health
VT Dept of Corrections
Support and Services at Home (SASH)
NAMI-VT
Lamoille Cty Mental Health Services
UVM Medical Center
Northeast Counseling and Support Services
Veterans Administration
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention-VT Chapter
And many individual survivors of suicide attempts and family loss.

VT SPC Coalition representatives provided testimony to the Senate Transportation Committee on Quechee Bridge mitigation, and to the House Committee on Health Care and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to educate them about the ways that the health care system can create a suicide safer pathway to care.

CHL would like to give a big shout out to Representative Martin Lalonde, who sponsored the Resolution and presented the VT SPC in the House Chamber and to the many Representatives and Senators who showed concern and support.

By doing this, CHL continues to reinforce the message that health care systems need to integrate best practices for suicide safe care and to remove shame and guilt from talking about suicide.

Suicide prevention is everyone's business.

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