IHSI’s injury and violence prevention group explores innovative connections between healthcare systems and communities to reduce morbidity and mortality related to injury and violence. The Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program is the cornerstone program for this area and is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from September 2020 through September 2025. The program aims to reduce Veteran suicides in 15 NW PA counties: Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren.

Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program

All aspects of the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program are grounded in the principles of the Zero Suicide framework and the Zero Suicide in Health and Behavioral Health Care model. The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health and behavioral health systems are preventable.

By September 2025, the program aims to achieve the following:

– Increase awareness of Veteran suicide risk factors in participating counties
– Increase the number of available suicide prevention activities in participating counties
– Increase engagement in suicide prevention activities in participating counties
– Improve access to mental health treatment and support services in participating counties
– Establish a 10% reduction in Veteran suicide attempts in participating counties
– Establish a 10% reduction in Veteran deaths in participating counties

Current advisory group partners include:

– Beacon Health Options (BHO)
– Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCHBO)
– Veterans Health Administration VISN4
– PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
– PA Department of Human Services (DHS)
– PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)
– PA Department of Health (DOH)
– PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP)
– PA Coroner’s Association
– UPMC Safe Harbor
– UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
– University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH)
– Evaluation Institute National Sports Shooting Foundation (NSSF)
– Hold My Guns (HMG)

Please visit our advisory group page to learn more about the specific roles each partner fulfills.

To learn more, visit the program website at theresilientveteran.org.

Visit the IHSI homepage to learn more about our funding portfolio and program areas.

Need Help? Know Someone Who Does?

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.