February 18, 2025 - 1-3 pm PST

This 2-hour training gives participants the skills and tools to appreciate the critical need for suicide prevention while creating a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about workplace mental health challenges, and by promoting help-seeking and help-giving.
Cost: FREE
Register Here

February 11, 2025 - 1-3 pm PST
The Be Sensitive, Be Brave infuses culture and diversity throughout this foundational workshop on Suicide Prevention - teaching community members to act as eyes and ears for suicidal distress and how to connect individuals to help.
Cost: FREE
Register Here

February 24, 2025 - 9-11 am PST
The Be Sensitive, Be Brave infuses culture and diversity throughout this foundational workshop on Mental Health - teaching community members to help friends and loved ones during times of distress. Learn how to recognize mental health conditions, what to do when someone needs support, and tools for maintaining good mental health.
Cost: FREE
Register Here

The National Council Medical Director Institute is excited to introduce an update to the groundbreaking paper Mass Violence in the United States: Definition, Prevalence, Causes, Impacts and Solutions.
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This report challenges common misconceptions about the relationship between mental illness and mass violence, offering evidence-based insights into this complex issue. Key takeaways include:Mass violence is a serious and growing public health concern in the U.S.

• Most mass violence perpetrators do not have major psychiatric disorders.
• The link between mental illness and violence is modest and limited to specific conditions.
• Interventions known to be effective in understanding and preventing mass violence have not yet been widely adopted.
• Establishing multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment and management teams can help reduce the risk of mass violence.

The paper is an essential resource for mental health professionals and other stakeholders seeking to understand and address mass violence, reduce discrimination against those with mental health conditions and effectively support people who are struggling.

Download the paper now to access the full findings and recommendations, including effective strategies for addressing mass violence, future research needs, and tips for working with the media, courts and law enforcement.

​As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of festivities, shopping, and social gatherings. While this time of year can be joyous, it can also bring stress and overwhelm. That's why it’s essential to prioritize self-care during this busy season. Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself while still enjoying the holidays.

Set Boundaries
It’s tempting to say “yes” to every invitation and event, but it’s important to know your limits. Don’t hesitate to decline invitations that feel overwhelming. Focus on spending time with loved ones and activities that bring you joy.

Schedule Downtime
Amid the holiday chaos, make sure to carve out time for yourself. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a relaxing bath, or going for a walk, prioritize moments that allow you to recharge.

Practice Mindfulness
The holiday rush can make it hard to stay present. Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or deep-breathing exercises into your routine to help maintain a sense of calm.

Maintain Healthy Habits
While it’s easy to indulge in holiday treats, remember to balance them with nutritious meals and regular exercise. Staying active can help reduce stress and boost your mood.

Connect with Others
Reach out to friends or family members for support. Sharing your thoughts and feelings can help alleviate stress and strengthen your connections during this season.

Embrace Imperfection
The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Embrace the chaos, and remember that it’s okay to have a less-than-perfect holiday experience. Focus on creating memories rather than achieving unattainable ideals.

This holiday season, make self-care a priority. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy the festivities and connect with loved ones. Remember, it’s okay to slow down and nurture your own well-being amidst the holiday cheer. Happy holidays!
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More Resources Here

Friday, March 14, 2025 from 8:00 AM  4:00 PM
​Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Certification workshop teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 6-18. 
WHAT IT COVERS

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges
• How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
• How to connect youth with help
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying

Location: Sierra College Truckee Campus - 11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA 96161
Format: 8-hour in-person workshop
FREE Registration: Register Here
Value: Approximately $247 per person, but provided at no cost to participants who live or work in Placer or Nevada counties
Questions? Shannon Decker, [email protected], 208.471.8904

Friday, February 21, 2025 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
​Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Certification Workshop teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. 

WHAT IT COVERS

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges
• How to interact with a person in crisis
• How to connect a person with help
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care
  
  
  

Location: Sierra College Truckee Campus - 11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA 96161
Format: 8-hour in-person interactive workshop
FREE Registration: Register Here
Value: Approximately $247 per person, but provided at no cost to participants who work or reside in Placer or Nevada counties
Questions? Shannon Decker, [email protected], 208.471.8904

Time is running out to catch "The Impactful Film Trilogy" by indieFLIX.

Our FREE access to these three films ends on December 31st.

These films are powerful, thought-provoking, and provide a means to thoughtful self-reflection and engaging discussions. Funding for this project has been provided by the Boise School District, Children’s Home Society of Idaho and The Speedy Foundation. It's our hope that these films, and the conversations they inspire, advance feelings of hope, resilience, and agency, while creating safe spaces for our youth to learn about mental health.

Please share this resource far and wide - Click Here

Monday, February 3, 2025
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We look forward to providing opioid overdose prevention training with the Tahoe Expeditionary Academy. Participants will learn more about overdose prevention tactics, including how to use Naloxone. Free training is available to organizations across Nevada County. Click Here to learn more.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news about The Speedy Foundation's Co-Founder and Executive Director, Shannon Decker, who was recently honored at the Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee Bulletin Holiday Party as the CCTT Partner of the Year! This recognition highlights her exceptional commitment and leadership in the field of suicide prevention.
Shannon has dedicated her work to creating a safer and more supportive community. Her tireless efforts include serving on the Police Chief’s committee, where she plays a crucial role in coordinating community responses to mental health crises. Her passion for this cause not only drives her professional work but also inspires those around her.
One of Shannon's most significant contributions has been her ability to amplify personal stories, bringing awareness and understanding to the critical topic of mental health. By sharing these narratives, she fosters collaboration and helps dismantle the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health challenges. Her work encourages open dialogue and builds a network of support for individuals in our community.
We are incredibly proud of Shannon and the impact she continues to make through her leadership at The Speedy Foundation, TTSPC, and beyond. Her dedication to fostering a culture of awareness and support around mental health is an invaluable asset to our community.
Please join us in congratulating Shannon Decker on this well-deserved honor! Together, we look forward to continuing our mission to prevent suicide and provide support for those in need.
Thank you, Shannon, for all that you do!

Friday, December 13, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Certification workshop teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 6-18. 

WHAT IT COVERS

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges
• How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
• How to connect youth with help
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying

Location: Sierra College Truckee Campus - 11001 College Trail, Truckee, CA 96161
Format: 8-hour in-person workshop
FREE Registration: Register Here
Value: Approximately $247 per person, but provided at no cost to participants who live or work in Placer or Nevada counties
Questions? Shannon Decker, [email protected], 208.471.8904

The Tahoe Truckee Suicide Prevention Coalition and Know Overdose Nevada County will be offering harm reduction resources. To register, click here: www.tfhd.com/WIIS2024
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on giving back and supporting the causes we care about. We’re thrilled to announce that The Speedy Foundation and TTSPC is participating in Tahoe Gives and Giving Tuesday, a campaign dedicated to fundraising for local nonprofits and community projects that make a significant impact in our area. 

Important Dates to Remember

From December 3rd to December 31st, we invite you to join us in supporting the incredible work we do. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, can make a real difference in the lives of those in need. This year, let’s come together as a community to uplift and empower each other. 

Why Your Contribution Matters

Every dollar counts! Even a small donation can have a meaningful impact, helping us to continue our mission and expand our reach. Whether it’s providing essential resources, supporting local initiatives, or facilitating outreach programs, your generosity fuels our efforts.  

Get Involved

To learn more about how your contributions will be used and to make a donation, please visit our website at www.givebacktahoe.org. This is an opportunity to give back to our community and show your support for the work we are passionate about.  Let’s leverage the spirit of Giving Tuesday and the Tahoe Gives campaign to make a lasting impact together. Remember to share your support using the hashtags #givingtuesday and #givebacktahoe! 

Thank you for considering a donation to The Speedy Foundation and TTSPC. Together, we can create positive change in our community this holiday season and beyond! 

Visit our Campaign Website HERE

Volunteer with us for suicide prevention & mental health action! 

Do you want to learn new skills, challenge yourself and contribute positively to your community? Do you want to help others while you gain invaluable life experience? Do you want to be an example to follow? If you feel yourself nodding yes to everything you’ve just read, then volunteering in mental health and suicide prevention could be for you. Our mission and core purpose is to empower others to look out for their peers and provide support to those facing mental health struggles.

We know how important members of our community are to advancing our mission. The work we do would not be possible without our amazing volunteers. If you're interested in joining our team to advance our mission of preventing suicide and elevating mental health, you've come to the right place.
Giving back to your community is simple. Just choose an event linked below, sign up, and join the movement today!

Attention Residents of the Following Counties:

• Central: San Joaquin, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba (Joint Powers), Tulare, Tuolumne, and Yolo
• Superior: Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Butte, Tehama, Shasta

NAMI San Joaquin County is excited to offer a FREE Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (PSSC) Training approved by CALMHSA. We wanted to share this amazing opportunity as much as possible for others to benefit and take advantage of!
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Upcoming Cohort Dates:

• Cohort 23: October 9 – October 25, 2024
• Cohort 24: November 4 - November 21, 2024
  (Registration closes 3 days before each cohort's start date.)

Training Details:

• Format: Online via Zoom
• Style: Cohort-based
• Duration: 13 days (2.5 weeks)
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

About the Training: 
The NAMI CA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Webinar, approved by CALMHSA, is designed for individuals who identify as having personal experience with recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder. Whether you are a consumer of these services or a parent, caregiver, or family member of someone with a mental health condition, this training can help you pursue employment or volunteer opportunities within the public mental health system. After completing the course, participants are eligible to take the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification exam.

The 80-hour training covers behavioral health skills and the 17 Peer Specialist core competencies as outlined by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Topics include the recovery model, communication skills, trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and the Medi-Cal code of ethics. Upon completing the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion, which is required to sit for the certification exam.

Through the HCAI Peer Training and Placement Program, participants will also receive career counseling and job placement support, helping you find either volunteer or paid positions within your local Public Mental Health System.

If you're interested in the HCAI Peer Training and Placement Program, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

The Nevada O​ffice of Suicide Prevention will be hosting a virtual Safe Messaging on Suicide, presented by Emma White on September 27th, 2024, from 1:00PM - 4:00PM. The link to register for the training is: osp-northern-nevada.ticketleap.com/0906n-safe-messaging-on-suicide-reno-nv/. 
 
The training covers the facts & myths about suicide, suicide-safe language, suicide-safe imaging, person-first language, the contagion factor, and how to safely report on suicide using TEMPOS.

Learn more about harm reduction at this CASAT panel discussion. Our own Bethany Wilkins, who has been a leading champion of Know Overdose Nevada County, will be participating in this panel. 

Listening Session: Harm Reduction - Live Webinar
September 17, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific Time
Register Here

This Listening Session shares experiences with fentanyl test strip education and distribution, preparedness for overdose emergencies; the evolution of Harm Reduction, and emerging groups of synthetic opioids.
Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will develop a comprehensive understanding of overdose emergencies, including recognizing signs and symptoms associated with opioid overdose.
2. Participants will be able to explain the significance and application of harm reduction strategies, including fentanyl test strip  education and distribution.
3. Participants will learn about the evolution of harm reduction practices and be introduced to emerging groups of synthetic opioids, enhancing their preparedness to address overdose emergencies within their communities.

Moderator: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT
Bianca D. McCall, LMFT is a retired professional women's basketball player. She is an international TED Speaker, and renowned mental health researcher and expert. Bianca is a licensed clinical therapist, with 25 years in Behavioral Health, and 12 years as a Healthcare CEO. In recent years, she has grown significantly in the digital health space, and created a first-of-its-kind social-emotional platform, designed to improve human healthspan.

Panelists:

• Darcy Patterson, RN, Founder and President, Wakeupnv
• Katarina Pulver, Health Educator II, Office of Disease Surveillance Division of Disease Surveillance and Control
• Bethany Wilkins, Yuba Harm Reduction Collective, Know Overdose NV County, The Speedy Foundation, and currently the Education and Advocacy Committee Chair with the Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance
• Donald Griffin, PRSS-S, CHW II, Co-founder and Director, Black Wall Street Reno

Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEUs
Cost: FREE

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Whether you’re taking a break from booze, or hoppily hydrating between beers, ditch the hangover and reach peak awesomeness with Hoppy Hour.

SAVE THE DATE