presentation

Hope in Action:
A Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program for LGBTQ

Youth

Empowering Lives Through Awareness, Support, and Connection

Charisma Carter, Darci Folsom, Joy Hunter, Rosmery Cardenas
June 8, 2025

CLC Suicide Prevention Program Presentation (OBJ. 8.1)
PSY-470-O501-Abnormal Psychology

Anna Cicirale Pullara

Introduction
to Target

Population

Veterans are individuals who have served
in the military and may face unique
challenges when transitioning to civilian
life.
• Demographics:
• Veterans are people who have served

in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,
or Coast Guard.

• They come from all age groups, but
many are older adults.

• They might live in urban, suburban,
or rural areas across the country.

• Risk Factors:
• Veterans often face issues like PTSD

(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder),
depression, and anxiety.

• They might struggle with adjusting to
life after military service.

• Some veterans have experienced
trauma, which can increase their risk
of suicide.

Why is this
Population at
Greater Risk?

Risk Factors
• Mental Health Issues: PTSD, depression, and anxiety are

common among veterans. These conditions make it harder
for them to cope with everyday challenges.

• Trauma Exposure: Many veterans have seen or experienced
traumatic events, which can leave lasting emotional scars.

• Difficulty Adjusting to Civilian Life: After serving in the
military, veterans may feel isolated or disconnected from
civilian life.

• Substance Abuse: Some veterans turn to alcohol or drugs to
cope with their emotional pain, which increases the risk of
suicide.

• Lack of Support: Veterans may feel like they don’t have
enough support or understanding from others, which can
increase feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.

Veterans are at greater risk for suicide because of their unique
experiences and struggles.

Bringing It All Together –
A Complete Prevention

Program

• Our suicide prevention program
will:

• Identify those at-risk using behavior
signs and brain-based measures.

• Provide easy access to help through
hotlines, therapy, and online tools.

• Break barriers like stigma with
education, faith-based partnerships,
and community outreach.

• Offer support through peer groups,
trained counselors, and safe spaces.

• The program will be ongoing, with
regular training, updates, and
check-ins with at-risk individuals.

• Faith and community leaders will
play a big role in supporting healing
and hope.

Strategies to
Encourage

Help-Seeking
and Spread
Awareness

• Start school and community
programs that teach people how
to spot warning signs and where
to get help.

• Share real stories from survivors
and families to reduce shame
and encourage hope.

• Use social media to reach young
people with messages of support
and where to get help.

• Set up 24/7 hotlines and text
lines with trained counselors who
understand the needs of the
target group.

• Offer peer-led support groups, so
people feel less alone and more
understood.

• Work with local leaders, schools,
and churches to hold community
events and training.

BARRIERS TO HELP

Stigma through
judgement,

discrimination, being
labeled weak.

Fear of out of pocket
expenses and lack of
insurance to assess

mental health service.

Uneven access to
mental health services
across different regions

and populations.

Major underfunding to
suicide prevention

programs and mental
health services

Systemic and structural
poverty, housing, and

systemic racism.

Overcoming Suicide Prevention
Barriers

• Enhancing access to mental health resources-
support networks, public education
campaigns, and peer support networks.

• Increase a change to affordable health care
through insurance reform, expand community
health centers, and offer low cost counseling.

• Support individuals with suicidal thoughts
with teachings of compassion, love, and the
sanctity of life.

• Christian principles can foster hope, provide
support, and work alongside mental health
professionals.

References

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024). National poll on perceptions of mental health and
suicide prevention reveals most U.S. adults believe suicide is preventable . American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention.

• Aoun, J., Spodenkiewicz, M., & Marimoutou, C. (2024). Scoping review on prevention of suicidal thoughts
and behaviors in adolescents: Methods, effectiveness, and future directions. Frontiers in Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, 3, Article 1367075.

• Comer, R. J., & Comer, J. S. (2021). *Abnormal psychology* (11th ed.). Worth Publishers.
• Johnson, B. & Moore, M. (2018). The Role of Faith Communities in Suicide Prevention . American

Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
prevention/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

• Occa, A., Francis, D. B., & Silwal, A. (2025). Identifying communication strategies in suicide prevention
education: An evaluation of infographics targeting college students. Journal of American College Health.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). *Suicide
prevention.*

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (n.d.). *Comprehensive approach to suicide
prevention.*