Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention covers the scope of this leading cause of death, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and the strategies that prevent it. The program is advancing suicide prevention with 94% of program participants indicating a likelihood of contacting a crisis service for themselves or others — a 43% increase compared to before attending the program.
Topics covered include:
Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S.
Research: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide, how certain communities are impacted by suicide differently, as well as contributors to suicide risk
Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care
What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for, how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about, and ways to seek and offer support and crisis resources for yourself or others
Trainer: Tracy Rassley
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
trassley@afsp.org
Tracy Rassley is the Programs Manager for the Montana Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). After a 24-year paralegal career and nearly seven years as an AFSP volunteer, she has served in her current role for almost four years.
Tracy has delivered a wide range of AFSP programs, including Talk Saves Lives, Caring Communities, Finding Hope, It’s Real for teens and middle schoolers, and It’s Real for college students. She is also a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer.
Her work is driven by a passion for educating teens and college students, grounded in the belief that meaningful shifts in mental health awareness start with empowering young people.
A loss survivor, Tracy lost her 19 year old son, Patrick, in 2015. She is a certified support group facilitator and has led the Parents of Suicide Support Group since 2017, dedicating herself to supporting others through grief and healing.
