Outreach Programs

Engage Life’s Choices serves any individual who has been referred by a medical provider for suicidal thoughts. Our services are also available as a resource to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), providing support services specifically for Veterans who have been seen for having thoughts of suicide. If an individual does not have a referral, we will connect them to the medical help they need in order to receive our services.

The current issue is, that somewhere between 19 – 22 Veterans die by suicide a day. Over all, we know that there is a good chance that those reported numbers are not completely accurate to begin with. According to research completed by Livingworks, 5% to 25% more suicides go unreported due to a number of reasons. One, most insurance companies, if not all of them, will not pay death gratuities to death by suicide. So, if that individual’s goal is to collect the insurance money for his or her family, than the death would need to look like an accident Another would be there is a strong taboo that surrounds suicide, that would make families cover it up so that individual could save the family’s reputation and be buried with respect. The number of suicide attempts could be 40 to 100 times greater if you could add those who attempted suicide and lived, i.e. taking some pills before bed with a clear intent to suicide and then wake up the next morning and not telling anyone or seeking any help at all.

How Engage Life’s Choices (ELC) will make a difference in reducing stressors in the lives of suicidal Veterans

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We can provide Veterans with a sponsor for one year, who will be there to support them so that they don’t feel so alone.

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We invite Veterans to attend regular group meetings which allow them to feel a part of something bigger than themselves and gives them a sense of belonging (hopefully providing another reason to live).

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ELC will connect Veterans in our care with existing resources (locally and nationwide) to help them overcome the circumstances that may have led them to have thoughts of suicide.

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If there is a crisis or problem that can’t be solved by an available resource then ELC will work to identify non-traditional partners who may be able to assist with unmet needs.

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With funding from donors as well as a portion of our course revenue, ELC will help Veterans in our program stabilize their lives by issuing or granting monetary funds on an as-needed basis (pending approval by an internal review panel).

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We will help and encourage Veterans to continue to seek long-term help through the VA.

Non-Veterans

Our services are also available to any individual who has been referred by a medical provider for suicidal thoughts. If an individual does not have that referral, we would connect them to the medical help they need in order to receive our services.

ELC offerings for non-Veterans

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Mentor/advocate program to support at-risk individuals along their journey – hopefully preparing them to become mentors and advocates for others in the future.

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Connections with resources (locally and nationwide) to help them overcome the circumstances that may have led them to have thoughts of suicide.

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We will encourage non-Veterans to continue to seek long-term mental wellness services.

High School students will receive a free suicide awareness class. suicideTALK is a 1-2-hour session that is an excellent first step toward suicide prevention. It helps the students explore the issue of suicide, attitudes towards it and how they can find ways to prevent it in their communities. Most people do not seem to understand or care about suicide until it affects them. This epidemic effects all races, all ages, all social statuses and all genders. In Georgia, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15-24.

Teenagers

Ages 14 -18

Year 1 – The Engage Team Fundamentals

Program: suicideTALK by Livingworks

Target: High School (with parents’ permission)

Year one is designed for students to learn the fundamentals of the peer support Program. ASIST (T4T) training will train the Engage Crew members on the suicideTALK methodology, which provides the basics of suicide prevention.

The curriculum is divided into lesson plans called PHASES, which stands for “Providing Hope And Student Empowerment.” Listed below are the core PHASES that are taught each year:

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Suicide Warning Signs

Learn and identify the common warning signs of suicide among peers.

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Becoming a Peer Advocate

Learn how to best help a peer who may be exhibiting suicidal warning signs.

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Talking About Suicide

Become confident in talking about suicidal thoughts to a peer who may be struggling and understand the importance of referring that peer to an adult.

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Self Care

Understand how to set healthy boundaries and practice self-care when helping others.

Year 2 – Engage Essentials

Program: suicideTALK by Livingworks

Target: Middle School – High School

Year two is designed to enhance Engage Crew members’ knowledge of the three core PHASES and provide a deeper understanding of mental health and suicide. In addition to the three core phases in year one, year two curriculum includes the following:

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Resiliency

Engage Crew members learn resiliency skills.

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Understanding Mental Health (Self-Care)

Engage members learn the different aspects of mental health including risk and protective factors for suicide.

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Response After a Suicide

Engage Crew members learn how they may strengthen their community after experiencing a suicide.

Year 3 – Engage Connections

The goal of year three is for older Engage Crew members to become more active in teaching and training their fellow students and reaching out to the community.

In addition to the 3 core PHASES in year one and two, year three curriculum also includes:

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Teaching My School

Engage members learn how to train their school student body in suicide prevention.

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Training My Community

Engage members learn how to train their community in suicide prevention.