This week on #SPSM Chat co-hosts Rudy Caseres (@RudyCaseres), Hudson Harris (@MentalStrategy), and Danielle Glick (@DanielleGlick) discuss “Human Connection: The Key to Suicide Prevention” with guest Joseph Smarro (@SolutionPPlus1).
Watch as we discuss issues such as:
How do you interpret “human connection” as it relates to suicide prevention?
How can suicide prevention be addressed in law enforcement?
What are your thoughts on police departments deploying Mental Health Crisis Units?
How do you practice empathy with the way you treat other people?
Learn more about Joseph Smarro and his work at solutionpointplus.com.
Further Reading and Watching:
I See You | Joseph A. Smarro | TEDxSanAntonio
SXSW review: San Antonio Police mental health officers highlighted in ‘Ernie and Joe’
How This Police Department is Fighting For Its Officers’ Mental Health After Suicides
*Watch SPSM Chat live every Sunday 6pm PT/9pm ET at Twitter.com/spsmchat as well as on the SPSM YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Mixer channel. All past episodes are archived and available to watch on-demand at spsmchat.com.
**SPSM Chat includes content about suicide and other experiences that may be traumatizing to you. You may experience strong or overwhelming emotions as a result. If you find yourself in distress or crisis, we encourage you to seek out support that works for you. Many people find it helpful to talk to a friend, family member, or someone else they trust.
If you would like formal crisis support, you can call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255)’, Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada), or The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. If you don’t like talking on the phone, you can text HOME to 741741 to get to Crisis Text Line, or you can try Lifeline Crisis Chat. If you’d like to talk to a peer, warmline.org contains links to warmlines in the United States. If you’re not in the U.S., you can go to https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ for a connection to crisis centers around the world.
Many of these resources could utilize restrictive interventions, like active rescues (wellness or welfare checks) involving law enforcement or emergency services. A warmline is least likely to do this, but still might have these policies. You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you.
The following do not implement any restrictive interventions for people considering suicide:
Peerly Human online support groups: https://peerlyhuman.blogspot.com/
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada)**
Joseph Smarro is a highly sought mental health policy and training consultant. Not only is he a decorated US Marine Corps combat veteran, but he is also a celebrated mental health police officer. Joe has de-escalated hundreds of crisis situations in the field with zero uses of force. He is regarded as one of the best Crisis Intervention Team instructors in the nation. Joe has been instrumental in mental health advocacy and law enforcement policy at all levels of government to include the White House and the Department of Justice.
Suicide Prevention Social Media #SPSM 