Today we spent the day wearing one of our many different hats, this is a hat that we are very passionate about. It is the Sierra Sun Intervention Care Hat.
What is this hat you ask?
Well a few years ago we had a rash of teen suicides and attempts in the small valley we live in. My husband, being a local pastor, got a call in the middle of the night from one of the families. This family was one of the lucky ones it was only a attempt, their child was okay.
But we wanted to know what more could we do to make a difference? That is when we found out about LivingWorks and ASIST– Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is a two day interactive workshop to learn how to recognize the signs of a person at risk of suicide.
So we started a non-profit; Sierra Sun Intervention Care, and began training people. We also became part of a larger group of people that work together to come up with some best practices for suicide intervention in the state of California.
There are nine regions for California. We are with four counties that include: Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, it is the California Suicide Prevention Network. Today’s meeting revealed the best practices that our counties will present to the State in 2014.
The best practice that was voted on to represent our region is: Survivor Outreach Team. It is built up by a group of survivors. People who have survived a family or loved ones suicide. They are then contacted by the Corner’s office and they then contact the family and ask to come talk with them. They are people who have been in their shoes and are still breathing. They also have a support group that they invite the family to, 66% attend, the numbers speak for themself.
You would think that a family rocked by suicide would not have a problem with suicide, but more often then not they do. The numbers are higher. So this is why we feel this will be a best practice, it has already proven to be a helpful here at home.
Other good things to check out; eachmindmatters.org and suicideispreventabale.org
Tagged: Children, God, hats, Intervention, love, Mind, prevent, suicide, suicide intervention, Sun
One Woman Delivered 
how wonderful! you and your hubby are making the world a better place! hugs to you both. 🙂
Thanks Carrie, if we each so a small part we can make a big difference.
Beautiful may God continue to bless you and your husband’s ministry. Glad you both are doing such amazing work.
We are in prayer about making Sierra Sun more a full time part of our life, we put the coffee house up for sale it is all up to God.
That would be great. (full time) His will be done!
Thank you!