Press Release
10-1-08
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Workshops
The Mental Health Association of Franklin County is sponsoring a day filled with workshops on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These workshops are being presented for all who have an interest in PTSD. Veterans and their family members, clinicians, parents, and community members who are interested in this topic will find the information useful in their understanding of the subject.
PTSD facts:
In the US, about 8% of the population will have PTSD symptoms at some point in their lives.
About 5.2 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have experienced a traumatic event.
Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD. About 10% of women develop PTSD compared with 5% of men.
Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD for all types of traumatic events, except sexual assault or abuse. When these traumas occur, men are just as likely as women to get PTSD
Experts think PTSD occurs:
In about 30% of Vietnam veterans, or about 30 out of 100 Vietnam veterans.
In as many as 10% of Gulf War veterans
In about 6% to 11% of veterans of the Afghanistan war
In about 12% to 20% of veterans of the Iraq war
This conference will provide participants with an overview of PTSD and the ways it may impact on work, relationships, physical health, leisure activities and all elements of daily functioning. Issues specific to combat veterans and some of the ways combat related PTSD can differ from PTSD caused by single incident traumas will be explored. Information on treatment options and ways of supporting the transition from a combat zone back into civilian life even in veterans who don’t have diagnosable PTSD will be presented. Affects of deployment and return in veteran families and how we can help will be presented. The workshop will address what causes PTSD and what does it look like, PTSD vs. Traumatic Brain Injury, Effects on parents and children and how to help, and PTSD in the classroom and how to help. Self-help techniques to manage PTSD symptoms will also be presented.
2-25-08
The Mental Health Association in Franklin Co., Inc Sponsors Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
Bonnie Newell, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Franklin, Co. Inc.(MHAFC), announced today plans to sponsor a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop for the community. The training was made possible through a grant from SAMHSA. The usual cost of this training is $200. Due to the grant the training is being offered for only $10 per participant. The training will be held from 8:30 to 4:30 at the Christian Center at 110 Park St. in Tupper Lake on March 24 and 25.
The workshop will provide participants with the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to recognize persons at risk and to undertake appropriate management or referral of a person who is at risk of suicide.
Suicide and non-fatal suicidal behaviors, ranging from gestures to suicide attempts, Ms. Newell explained, are far more common than most people think. Almost everyone will come into contact with suicidal behaviors in some significant way during their life. Many people have been trained to administer first aid to people having a heart attack, but very few know “emergency first aid” for preventing suicide.
The workshop, presented by, Helena Davis, M.A. LMHC Deputy Director of Mental Health Association in New York, Mary Jean Coleman, MSW American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Area Director, Upstate New York and Steven Miccio, Executive Director of PEOPLe, INC., will deal directly with attitudes about suicide prevention. Participants will learn how to recognize persons who might be at risk. The major indicators of the possibility of suicide according to Ms. Newell are sudden changes in behavior or personality; feelings of desperation, helplessness, hopelessness, aloneness, loss and depression; a previous suicide attempt; and, most importantly, suicide statements expressing a desire or intention to die. One of the most important first aid skills to have, Ms. Newell emphasized, is to ask directly about suicide intentions of someone you are worried about. Skill development exercises and community networking activities will take up the entire second day of the workshop.
Ms. Newell and the trainers encourage other organizations to consider suicide intervention training for their members. This training is for emergency workers, clergy, nurses, police officers, guidance counselors, bartenders, hair stylist, social workers, librarians, security guards, caregivers, professional, volunteer, and informal helpers. No previous clinical experience is necessary. Interested people are invited to call Karen Pioli at 327-3145. Also persons struggling with thoughts of suicide to are encouraged to contact North Star Behavioral Health at 891-5535.