"Each One, Reach One, Teach One"
Vet to Vet Tennessee
Training youth in QPR is a challenging but necessary task to help prevent youth suicide. In order to ensure safety, training youth is approved based on expert advice, youth input, and institutional experience. On March 2019 the QPR Institute released its new policies and procedures for QPR training for youth. Click here to view the guidelines.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2019 President Trump signs executive order to empower Veterans and end Veterans suicide VA will co-chair task force focused on a holistic, public health approach to suicide prevention and engagement with Veterans’ local communities WASHINGTON — Today President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled “National Initiative to Empower Veterans and End Veterans Suicide,” which focuses on improving the quality of life for America’s Veterans and ending the tragedy of Veteran suicide. Click here to view today’s announcement.
Thanks to the continued support, service and sacrifice of Vietnam Veteran and Carpetbag Theatre Consultant Umoja Abdul Ahad, the executive staff of Carpterbag was trained by Vet to Vet Tennessee in QPR Suicide Prevention. Ed Junod, President of VTVT and QPR Master Instructor trained the team. Not only was the team trained but we learned that a member of the lead team would be enrolling in the upcoming March 14, 2019 VTVT’s Gatekeeper Instructor class and enrolled as the newest member of the Veteran/Military Friendly program.
From left to right: Consultant Umoja Abdul Ahad, Partner Larisha McKinney, Executive/Artistic Director Linda Parris-Bailey, Stage Manager La-Tasha Smith-Bryant, Youth Coordinator Kisha Rockett, Managing Director Jonathan Clark and kneeling is Digital Storytelling Director Joe Tolbert.
A Gatekeeper Instructor will be able to recognize and intervene in the event of suicidal contemplation as a gatekeeper would do but will also retain knowledge circumventing the scope of suicide, research and history relating to suicide prevention and the skills necessary to train individuals and groups as gatekeepers. Gatekeeper instructors should be in optimal positions to teach small and large groups as gatekeepers on a continuum (QPR Institute).
We are honored and grateful to report that VTVT had one of the most interactive and successful QPR Gatekeeper training ever thanks to our Host Theresa Botts from Spartan Alliance on Saturday February 2, 2019 at the Powell Community Center.
Veterans from the Powell community, Rolling Thunder Chapter 3, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and special surprised guest David and Susan Toombs. Susan and David are the surviving parents of Army Veteran John Toombs who committed suicide in November 2016.
Continue reading “VTVT Trains Numerous Motorcycle Organizations in Suicide Prevention. Endorsed by the Toombs family.”
Letting go of your active duty lifestyle can be tough, especially after returning home. Are you wondering how you fit in with your family, friends and loved ones? Do you feel alone and isolated or that your relationships aren’t as close as they used to be? If so, VA offers a variety of services to help women Veterans readjust to life at home. Learn more.
December 10, 2018 American Association of Suicidology’s
US Suicide: 2017 Final report.
For too long, suicide has been a taboo subject—but as rates continue to rise, this once private shame is becoming a public health crisis. It’s time to illuminate the darkness.
Tennessee is ranked 22nd; 1,166 suicide deaths at a rate of 17.4 compared to the national rate of 14.5. Help us to make a difference and become a QPR Gatekeeper or Gatekeeper Instructor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2018
WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a key step in its digital modernization effort by revamping its website accessed by 10 million customers per month who use VA’s tools and content online.
To improve this experience VA’s Veterans Experience Office and VA Digital Service gathered feedback from more than 5,000 Veterans,service members, their families, caregivers and survivors. Many customers said they were having a frustrating experience, encountering a complicated collection of websites, forms, logins and tools.Through feedback, VA learned that many of them struggled to find what they needed. Continue reading “VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience”
November 10, 2018 Blount County Tennessee.
The United Veterans of Blount County hosted Blount County’s 50th Veterans Day Celebration at Rio Revolution Church. Special Guest speaker was Lt. Col Army Ellison “Vic” Vickery gave an inspirational service and sacrifice speech.
Vic’s told us that he never felt comfortable responding to anyone who “thanked him for his service” until his wife suggested responding with “You’re worth it!”
Thank you Mrs. Vickery for your recommendation.
We are grateful to all who have served, whether in peacetime or in periods of conflict. Especially for those who have fought on the battlefield, those who continue to bear wounds both seen and unseen. We pray for physical healing and God’s peace in your life.
On behalf of the Knoxville Regional Veterans Mental Health Council and Vet to Vet Tennessee we wish everyone a blessed and happy Veterans Day.