presentation

Hope in Action: A Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program for LGBTQ

Youth

Empowering Lives Through Awareness, Support, and Connection

Charisma Carter, Darci Folsom, Joy Hunter, Rosmery Cardenas June 8, 2025

CLC Suicide Prevention Program Presentation (OBJ. 8.1) PSY-470-O501-Abnormal Psychology

Anna Cicirale Pullara

Introduction to Target

Population

Veterans are individuals who have served in the military and may face unique challenges when transitioning to civilian life. • Demographics: • Veterans are people who have served

in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

• They come from all age groups, but many are older adults.

• They might live in urban, suburban, or rural areas across the country.

• Risk Factors: • Veterans often face issues like PTSD

(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, and anxiety.

• They might struggle with adjusting to life after military service.

• Some veterans have experienced trauma, which can increase their risk of suicide.

Why is this Population at Greater Risk?

Risk Factors • Mental Health Issues: PTSD, depression, and anxiety are

common among veterans. These conditions make it harder for them to cope with everyday challenges.

• Trauma Exposure: Many veterans have seen or experienced traumatic events, which can leave lasting emotional scars.

• Difficulty Adjusting to Civilian Life: After serving in the military, veterans may feel isolated or disconnected from civilian life.

• Substance Abuse: Some veterans turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with their emotional pain, which increases the risk of suicide.

• Lack of Support: Veterans may feel like they don’t have enough support or understanding from others, which can increase feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.

Veterans are at greater risk for suicide because of their unique experiences and struggles.

Bringing It All Together – A Complete Prevention

Program

• Our suicide prevention program will:

• Identify those at-risk using behavior signs and brain-based measures.

• Provide easy access to help through hotlines, therapy, and online tools.

• Break barriers like stigma with education, faith-based partnerships, and community outreach.

• Offer support through peer groups, trained counselors, and safe spaces.

• The program will be ongoing, with regular training, updates, and check-ins with at-risk individuals.

• Faith and community leaders will play a big role in supporting healing and hope.

Strategies to Encourage

Help-Seeking and Spread Awareness

• Start school and community programs that teach people how to spot warning signs and where to get help.

• Share real stories from survivors and families to reduce shame and encourage hope.

• Use social media to reach young people with messages of support and where to get help.

• Set up 24/7 hotlines and text lines with trained counselors who understand the needs of the target group.

• Offer peer-led support groups, so people feel less alone and more understood.

• Work with local leaders, schools, and churches to hold community events and training.

BARRIERS TO HELP

Stigma through judgement,

discrimination, being labeled weak.

Fear of out of pocket expenses and lack of insurance to assess

mental health service.

Uneven access to mental health services across different regions

and populations.

Major underfunding to suicide prevention

programs and mental health services

Systemic and structural poverty, housing, and

systemic racism.

Overcoming Suicide Prevention Barriers

• Enhancing access to mental health resources- support networks, public education campaigns, and peer support networks.

• Increase a change to affordable health care through insurance reform, expand community health centers, and offer low cost counseling.

• Support individuals with suicidal thoughts with teachings of compassion, love, and the sanctity of life.

• Christian principles can foster hope, provide support, and work alongside mental health professionals.

References

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024). National poll on perceptions of mental health and suicide prevention reveals most U.S. adults believe suicide is preventable . American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. https://afsp.org/story/national-poll-on-perceptions-of-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention

• Aoun, J., Spodenkiewicz, M., & Marimoutou, C. (2024). Scoping review on prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents: Methods, effectiveness, and future directions. Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 3, Article 1367075. https://doi.org/10.3389/frcha.2024.1367075

• Comer, R. J., & Comer, J. S. (2021). *Abnormal psychology* (11th ed.). Worth Publishers. • Johnson, B. & Moore, M. (2018). The Role of Faith Communities in Suicide Prevention . American

Foundation for Suicide Prevention. https://afsp.org/story/the-role-of-faith-communities-in-suicide- prevention/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

• Occa, A., Francis, D. B., & Silwal, A. (2025). Identifying communication strategies in suicide prevention education: An evaluation of infographics targeting college students. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2510698

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). *Suicide prevention.*https://www.samhsa.gov/suicide

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (n.d.). *Comprehensive approach to suicide prevention.*https://sprc.org