September is Suicide Prevention Month. It's a good time to talk openly about suicide and the role each of us can play in helping someone experiencing a mental health crisis get the support they need.
When a person is struggling, we may assume someone else is better equipped to help them, someone who knows them better or has more training. But if someone is drowning, you can’t wait for the “right” person to jump in. Sometimes, you are the right person.
You don’t need to be a mental health professional to be alert and notice if someone you know seems different or not quite themselves. You can talk with them, listen to what they have to say and let them know they matter. And you can help connect them with more support if they need it.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling or texting 988. The line and Front Porch, our walk-in Mental Health Urgent Care, are available to anyone experiencing emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis, as well as people who are concerned about someone else. We also offer QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that teaches everyday people how to recognize warning signs and help save a life.
At Northeast Kingdom Human Services, we believe strong communities are built on connection, compassion, and concern for one another’s well-being. Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of one person, one family, or one organization. It belongs to all of us. Let’s commit to connecting with the people around us and making sure they know how to find help when they need it.
Warm Regards,
Kelsey
SAY "HI" TO EMILY
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Jankowski, MS, LCMHC, NCC, as the agency's new Director of School Services. In this role, Jankowski will oversee NKHS's school-based mental health services throughout the Northeast Kingdom, working closely with program managers, school-based staff, administrators, and community partners across Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties.
On September 26, NKHS supported the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in its efforts to raise funds to directly support research, advocacy, and educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities across VT.
Terri Lavely, Kristin Mason, Christina Guillette, and Michael Huang represented NKHS and joined the Walk, raising over $1,000 as a team.
HEALTH PREVENTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
This month, we partnered with Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) to raise awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and preventive cancer screenings. Our head-to-toe health awareness campaign now appears on eye-catching drink coasters in restaurants across the NEK. The goal is to encourage people to think and talk about preventive healthcare as a normal part of everyday life.
Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Month highlights the exceptional work DSPs do to help people with disabilities feel included and actively participate in our community.
To celebrate, NKHS DSPs gathered earlier this month for lunch, games, and, most importantly, some much-needed time to recharge and connect.
Our Developmental Services Director, Jacqueline Beer, shared her admiration for the dignity and care our DSPs show their clients. Whether cooking, going out into the community, or singing favorite songs together, DSPs and their clients are partners - equals working side by side toward a goal of greater independence.
A DIAMOND IN THE DUST
When Abram Lafoe started working at Shaw’s last fall, he quickly became the kind of employee every team hopes to have. Reliable, hardworking, and always willing to help, Abram takes pride in doing every job well, whether he is cleaning spills, gathering carts, taking out the trash, or keeping the store clean.
His positive attitude and dedication have not gone unnoticed. In April, management recognized Abram as Employee of the Month for his hard work and attention to detail.
That attention to detail changed the life of a customer near the end of August. A customer told Abram that the diamond from her engagement ring had fallen out somewhere between the store entrance and the parking lot, and asked him to keep an eye out for it.
A day or so later, as Abram was sweeping the store, he caught sight of something in the debris. There, among the dust, was the missing diamond. Thanks to Abram’s careful work, the diamond was recovered instead of being swept away and lost forever. When the customer returned to the service desk the next day, she was overcome with emotion as she thanked Abram for saving a precious family heirloom.
As Abram sees it, he was simply doing his job. But his care and attention made a lasting difference in someone’s life. His story is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest acts of dedication and kindness can mean so much to someone else.
A DOG CALLED PIG
After working as a travel nurse, Sonya Everts is happy to be back in the Northeast Kingdom and part of the NKHS team at the St. Johnsbury office. A more settled life is also nice for Pig Pen, Sonya’s 9-year-old Lab/Pit Bull mix, because she can come to work with Sonya. “Pig,” as she’s affectionately known, has just completed her year of training and passed her exam to become an official therapy dog. Pig’s biggest challenge? Remembering not to give “kisses.” It’s a tough order, because Pig is pure love.
Sonya said, “Passing her therapy dog exam feels like making official what so many of our patients and staff already knew: Pig makes people feel safe, welcome, and at ease. I’m incredibly proud of her, and I love that we can now use what comes so naturally to her—loving people—to support our work at NKHS. One of my favorite things has been watching people light up when they see Pig. Mental health care can involve difficult conversations, and sometimes having a dog quietly beside you makes those conversations feel a little less heavy.”
Like other therapy dogs, Pig can instantly lower blood pressure and reduce heart rate. Interacting with dogs also boosts neurotransmitters associated with happiness and relaxation, like oxytocin and dopamine. Dogs even help with social anxiety and improve communication with health care providers through their unconditional love.
Being with Pig is like putting on a warm sweater. She brings calm, love, and acceptance to everyone she meets, whether it’s a patient, an NKHS staff member, or participants at the Special Olympics, where she and Sonya volunteer. If you're passing Sonya’s office, take a minute to say hi to Pig—she’s worth the detour.
BUILDING A SAFETY NET IN THE NEK
One of the most powerful tools for preventing in the NEK suicide is QPR training.
This year, two of our team members, Terri Lavely and Ruth Marquette, completed the QPR Master Trainer Certification. This certification allows them to train others to become certified QPR instructors. More trainers means more trainings, more organizations reached, and more lives touched with these life-saving skills across the NEK and Vermont.
We invite you to register for QPR Suicide Prevention Awareness Training via Zoom. This training is interactive. There is no cost for the training and resource materials for participants thanks to support from Vermont Department of Health.
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