Face the fight

Face the Fight

Training & Resource Center

The Face the Fight Training and Resource Center provides details on Upcoming Trainings, information on the approach and Focus Areas Face the Fights uses in guiding suicide prevention efforts, and recommended Resources for organizations and individuals. Our UT Health San Antonio team is honored to serve as an academic partner to USAA in Face the Fight.

Learn more at wefacethefight.org or to join, contact: JOIN@WEFACETHEFIGHT.ORG

Face the Fight Monthly Series

Face the Fight Exchange

The Face the Fight Exchange is a monthly series focused on answering the question of “What can I do?” when it comes to suicide prevention. The series will expand the skills, abilities, and knowledge base of individual community members. The series will include presenters from the FTF Coalition facilitated by a FTF Scientific Advisor.

Workshop Info

ETS Sponsorship: Connecting with Our Communities for Suicide Protection

Time: 1pm-2pm CT

Presented by:

Mike Eastman, Executive Director, Onward Ops, Brigadier General, US Army (ret)

Dr. Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Workshop Info

Supporting the Family: Equipping Military and Veteran Families with the Tools to Support their Veteran and their Wellness

Time: 1pm CT-2pm CT

Presented by:

Hannah O’Brien, Program Director, Veteran Spouse Network

Ashley Craig, Marketing, Development & Training Manager, Veteran Spouse Network

Jamela Davis, Outreach Manager of Veteran Spouse Network, Veteran Spouse Network

Dr. Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Face the Fight Systemic Solutions

The Face the Fight Systemic Solutions is a monthly series focused on systems and organizational-level opportunities to implement and sustain suicide prevention. Topical areas of focus will include training, screening, postvention policies and support, measuring impact, and employee/volunteer engagement, workforce development, and equitable access to care.

Workshop Info

Saving Veteran Lives with Columbia

Time: 1pm-2pm CT

Presented by:

Dr. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber, PhD, Founder and Director of The Columbia Lighthouse Project, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University

Dr. Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Crisis Response Plan (CRP) Workshop

Our UT Health San Antonio team has received funding from Face the Fight to conduct monthly workshops in Crisis Response Planning for Suicide Prevention. These workshops are offered at no cost and are open to any individual who supports veterans in work, as a volunteer, or peer, including veteran-serving mental health clinics and allies of veterans.

Workshop Info

Dr. Hannah Tyler
Presented by: Hannah Tyler, PhD, ABPP
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Workshop Info

Dr. Hannah Tyler
Presented by: Hannah Tyler, PhD, ABPP
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Workshop Info

Dr. John Moring
Presented by: John Moring, PhD, ABPP
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Lethal Means Safety (LMS) Workshop

Nearly 50% of veterans own firearms and over 70% of veteran suicides use firearms. Learn how to discuss promoting voluntary secure storage that can help reduce risk for suicide. Our LMS workshops are offered at no cost and are open to any individual who supports veterans in work, as a volunteer, or peer, including veteran-serving mental health clinics and allies of veterans.

Workshop Info

Presented by: David Rozek, PhD, ABPP
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Workshop Info

Presented by: David Rozek, PhD, ABPP
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Workshop Info

Presented by: David Rozek, PhD, ABPP
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm CT
Location: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to anyone who supports veterans

Upcoming Postvention Trainings

Clinical Provider & Leadership Trainings

In our work as mental health and medical providers, we support clients with a range of challenges including suicidality and those who may have lost a loved one to suicide. Many providers will lose a patient to suicide at some point during their career. This loss can have a profound impact, both personally and professionally.

Through Face the Fight, we have developed a training series designed to equip healthcare organizations and medical providers with the knowledge and resources to handle such challenging situations effectively.

Workshop Info

Clinical Work with the Suicide Bereaved

Time: 11-3pm CT

Location: Zoom

Presented by:

Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D., Co-Chair of Coalition of Clinical Survivors

Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers

Workshop Info

Healing After Suicide Loss: Postvention for Providers

Time: 1-2pm CT

Location: Zoom

Presented by:

Erin Higgins, LCSW, LAC, Social Worker, Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention

Christie Machan, LCSW, Social Worker, Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention

Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers

Workshop Info

The Impact of Suicide On Mental Health Clinicians: What We Know, What We Can Do

Time: 11am – 3pm CT

Location: Zoom

Presented by:

Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D., Co-Chair of Coalition of Clinical Survivors

Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Audience: Mental health clinicians and medical providers

Non-Clinical Peer & Leadership Trainings

Join our specialized training sessions designed to equip veterans, peers and Non-Healthcare Organizations with essential skills in suicide prevention, safe messaging, and postvention support. Gain practical tools and knowledge to effectively support those impacted by suicide, foster healing, and promote a resilient community.

Register now to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by suicide loss.

Workshop Info

Suicide Prevention Communications: Strategies for Safe Messaging

Time: 12-1pm CT

Location: Zoom

Presented by:

Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., L.M.H.C., N.C.C., F.T., Senior Director of Suicide Prevention and Postvention Programs, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Surviving Spouse of Marine Corps Drill Instructor Sgt. Richard Stumpf

Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Audience: Anyone who communicates about suicide or interacts with those impacted by suicide loss.

Workshop Info

Postvention Immediately After a Suicide Death: Emotional Support for Loss Survivors

Time: 12-1pm CT

Location: Zoom

Presented by:

Carla Stumpf Patton, Ed.D., L.M.H.C., N.C.C., F.T., Senior Director of Suicide Prevention and Postvention Programs, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Surviving Spouse of Marine Corps Drill Instructor Sgt. Richard Stumpf

Katy Dondanville, PsyD, ABPP, Face the Fight Chief Scientific Advisor, UT Health San Antonio

Audience: Anyone who communicates about suicide or interacts with those impacted by suicide loss

The Veteran Cultural Competence Training, supported by USAA Face the Fight, is a 3-hour interactive online program designed to enhance understanding of the unique challenges Veterans face during their transition to civilian life.

This training equips healthcare providers, business leaders, educators, and public officials with practical tools for effective communication, addressing socio-emotional needs, and recognizing potential biases. Led by experienced facilitators, the program includes Veteran-led discussions and role-playing activities that build skills for creating meaningful, supportive connections with Veterans.

Armor Up with Knowledge: PsychArmor Foundational Courses

Face the Fight PsychArmor

Learn How to Support the Veteran in Your Life

 

Get access to a curated collection of Veteran suicide prevention training materials and be prepared to make a difference in the lives of Veterans, service members, and their loved ones. Start learning today and earn a digital certificate when you complete our Face the Fight™: Basics of Veteran Suicide Prevention training program.

Course Eligibility: For Military Service Members, Veterans, Caregivers and Military Families, and those who work with and serve military-connected communities

The Importance of Evidence-Informed Interventions

Chart detailing 7 CDC informed strategies, with four sections being highlighted strategies; 1. Create Protective Environments, 2. Strengthen Access and Delivery of Suicide Care, 3. Identify and Support People at Risk and 4. Strengthen Economic Supports. Strategies still not highlighted include 5. Lessen Harms and Prevent future risk, 6. Teach Coping and Problem-Solving skills, 7. Promote Connectedness.

Face the Fight Focus Areas

Face the Fight along with most current suicide prevention initiatives, including those at the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD), the White House, and others follow a public health approach. The public health approach asks questions like: What is the problem, what is the cause, what works, and how do we implement it? Face the Fight focuses on the seven identified evidence-informed strategies (see graphic) that can be paired with evidence-informed interventions.

This public health approach goes beyond individual interventions, focusing on analyzing data to identify risk factors, developing prevention strategies, and creating support systems and resources for those in need. By promoting mental wellness, reducing stigma, and advocating for positive societal changes, this approach aims to build a caring and supportive community, ultimately working together to prevent suicide and protect the well-being of everyone.

What Are Evidence-Informed Interventions for Suicide Prevention?

Presented by:

Brooke Fina, LCSW, BCD from UT Health San Antonio

Dr. Meg Harrell, Ph.D. from the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Evidence-informed intervention relies on the best available scientific evidence, ensuring that strategies are effective, efficient, and suitable for addressing specific issues. Such interventions are marked by rigorous scientific scrutiny and focus on well-researched treatments, like those confirmed through randomized controlled trials. These are the gold standard, recommended when strong empirical evidence supports their effectiveness and safety. The process involves systematically reviewing existing research to identify interventions that work best for particular conditions or issues, such as suicide prevention interventions proven to reduce suicide attempts.

Reducing firearm-related suicides involves a multifaceted approach at both clinical and community levels. The goal is to encourage safe and secure storage of firearms and, when necessary, temporary, voluntary removal of firearms from their immediate surroundings. This approach has been well-received by veterans and emphasizes respecting individuals’ autonomy in decision-making.

A commonly recommended approach for suicide screening involves the use of efficient evidence-based tool(s) in both community and healthcare settings. This practice is recommended irrespective of whether the person is seeking care and/or help specifically for mental health concerns.

    • For example, validated suicide risk screeners include Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C- SSRS), Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9)

Managing suicide risk is focused on ensuring that veterans can survive their darkest moments. Interventions are focused on reducing risk factors related to suicide, including increasing social connections, treating psychiatric diagnoses, incorporating means safety strategies, and engaging in safety planning.

    • For example, Crisis Response Planning (CRP) and Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) are brief, collaborative interventions aimed at reducing acute suicide risk.

Treating suicidal veterans involves the clinician and the individual working collaboratively on identifying and resolving internal and external factors unique and intrinsic to the veteran’s suicide risk.

    • For example, cognitive behavioral therapies are the most effective intervention methods for reducing and preventing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

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