Contents

• Stone Manor Move!!
• Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher, Has Been Listening
• Keys to Teen-Age Suicide Prevention
• The Quilt on Tour!
• Stephanie Weber Given Award
• "Grand Rounds"
• Praise for "Q.P.R. ("Question, Persuade, Refer")

"Suicide must be boldly confronted and discussed with all areas of the public so that people will not be afraid or ashamed to seek help," he declared. He issued 15 public recommendations for increasing awareness, stepping up research and educating the general public to recognize at-risk signs, depression and assisting persons to get professional help.

Suicide Prevention Services staff and board attended those national consensus meetings to develop these recommendations. The prevention presentations already available through Suicide Prevention Services pre-date the Surgeon General's "Call to Action" and are on the forefront of the best programs available in the United States and Canada.

1. There is nothing more troubling than hearing that a child wants to die. To help us avoid our own fear, adults deny the child's threat by saying, "he doesn't mean it," "she's just over-reacting," or by getting angry. Instead, responding with patience and unconditional concern may help a child or teen talk about his or her distress and allow you to seek appropriate help.

2. Look for these signs and take action-----suicide talk, any suicide attempt or gesture, drug/alcohol experimentation, dangerous risk-taking behavior, social withdrawal, school problems, or giving prized possessions away.

3. Above all suicide talk is the most valuable clue to look for. Regard any talk as serious. Many children who experience suicide thoughts are difficult children and teens to raise. Parents do not have face this alone. Get professional help.

4. Talk with your child about your concerns. Ask the question, "Are you so concerned about your problem that you are thinking about not living?

5. Develop a safety plan with a professional and follow it for a long time.

6. Sometimes parents are overwhelmed with life, too. When something like suicide arises within a family, the whole family needs support. Do your child or teen a favor and seek help for yourself.**

**Adapted from "Helping a Child Survive a Suicide Crisis"--available FREE from Suicide Prevention Services.

• Suicide Awareness Day - St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora
• Aurora Public Library
• New England Congregational Church
• Capitol Steps and press conference of Surgeon General, Washington, DC
• Q.P.R. workshops, Aurora
• Volunteer training, Crisis Line, Aurora
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, National Conference, Chicago
• National Association of Social Workers Awards Dinner, Wheaton
• Consensus Conference, Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network, Nev.
• Mall between Lincoln and Washington Monuments, Washington, DC
• Miss Illinois and Surgeon General Conference, Washington, DC
• Valley Community Hospital Health Fair, Sandwich, IL

She was selected for her work in developing the self-help group "Survivors of Suicide" 16 years ago and which she still leads on a volunteer basis. It is a model program to assist recovery from the grief of losing a loved one to suicide. The group every third Monday 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Advent Christian Church in Aurora.

• "eloquent and crystal clear presentations"--Dr. Janet Yanos, Aurora University
• "very important in preparing staff..."--Chief Lovett, West Dundee Police
• "feedback from this training was so favorable, we will include regular education sessions in our agency..."--Mutual Ground
• "very well-researched and evaluated program..."--Kane County Health Department