Understand Unique Challenges

Recognize the impact of systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, and mental health stigma on youth mental health.

Empower Support

Implement culturally sensitive therapies, promote open discussions, and improve access to vital resources for effective youth support.

Let’s break the stigma!

Name of Training: Addressing Suicidality Among Black Youth
Date: Jan 22nd, 2025
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM EST
Location: 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119 – Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainer: Mitzi Keyes Glass, LCSW

Mitzi Keyes Glass, LCSW, a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University, is a Clinical Care Supervisor at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where she has worked for 32 years.

Register Here

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At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: January 28th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Angela Brown and Caitlyn Shieler

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here

What are adverse childhood experiences?

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example: experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing violence in the home or community, having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with: substance use problems, mental health problems, instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison.

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we talk about ways to combat Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Date: February 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Presented by: Karin Duncan

This training will:

— Help you to understand what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are; plus, the impact and consequences they have on individuals and communities.
— Recognize the symptoms and behaviors of toxic stress.
— Learn strategies that build resilience in trauma-impacted individuals.
— What are adverse childhood experiences?

How big is the problem?

ACEs are common. About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.

Preventing ACEs could potentially reduce many health conditions. For example, by preventing ACEs, up to 1.9 million heart disease cases and 21 million depression cases could have been potentially avoided.

Some children are at greater risk than others. Women and several racial/ethnic minority groups were at greater risk for experiencing four or more types of ACEs.

ACEs are costly. The economic and social costs to families, communities, and society totals hundreds of billions of dollars each year. A 10% reduction in ACEs in North America could equate to an annual savings of $56 billion.

What are the consequences?

ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, as well as life opportunities such as education and job potential. These experiences can increase the risks of injury, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and child health problems (including teen pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and fetal death), involvement in sex trafficking, and a wide range of chronic diseases and leading causes of death such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and suicide.

ACEs and associated social determinants of health, such as living in under-resourced or racially segregated neighborhoods, frequently moving, and experiencing food insecurity, can cause toxic stress (extended or prolonged stress). Toxic stress from ACEs can negatively affect children’s brain development, immune systems, and stress-response systems. These changes can affect children’s attention, decision-making, and learning.

Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances, jobs, and depression throughout life. These effects can also be passed on to their own children. Some children may face further exposure to toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas due to systemic racism or the impacts of poverty resulting from limited educational and economic opportunities.

Register Here

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) training is designed to equip the community, leaders, and support personnel with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand, recognize, and assist victims of MST.

This training includes understanding the definitions and impacts of MST, the psychological and emotional consequences for survivors, and the importance of creating a supportive and safe atmosphere. Participants learn about the resources available to survivors, including counseling and medical care.

Additionally, MST training emphasizes the role of bystander intervention and encourages open discussions about consent, power dynamics, and the importance of respecting personal boundaries, and fostering a safe environment.

Ultimately, the goal of MST training is to educate, reduce stigma, empower individuals, and provide resources for support.

This training offers CEUs.

Date: February 19th, 2025 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Presenter: Shanara White

Shanara White was born and raised in Puerto Rico until her early twenties when she joined the Navy. Shanara specialized in asset protection at the beginning of her career and fairly quickly was introduced to criminal investigations and protective service detail while she served from 2001 to 2011.

As she conducted interrogations, as well as questioning suspected criminals of a range of crimes from minor offenses to murder, her love for behavioral sciences was born. Shanara received a degree in Funeral Services Marketing and Directing, then decided to complete her undergraduate degree in Psychology and later a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since then, Shanara has facilitated group therapy with military veterans in an inpatient setting, has provided outpatient mental health care, and has worked as a case manager. Currently Shanara is the operations manager for the SSG Fox suicide prevention program at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board where her team assists veterans, active duty members, and their families with peer support, therapeutic services and resources they may need.

Register Here

This Training Will Expand Knowledge Around:

– Engaging with autistic individuals with a neuro-diverse lens
– Understanding sensory integration and how it can affect learning and completing tasks
– Skills to Advocate for services in the schools and community
– Having a vision to help autistic individuals use their interests to learn new skills and be more employable.
= Tools to use for working with families

This training offers CEUs.

Date: February 25, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
Location: Harbourview Large Conference Room
7025 Harbourview Blvd Suite 119, Suffolk, VA Or virtually via Zoom
Presented by: Karen E. Bailey LPC, ACS, ASDCS

Karen Bailey has worked in the mental health field for 28 years. She has had the privilege of working with those on the Autism spectrum Disorder and other neurodiversity for 20 years. She specializes also in depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and loss, childhood trauma, attachment, developmental issues, women issues, and intellectual disabilities.

Register Here

At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: February 26th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Caitlyn Shieler and Karin Duncan

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here

At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: March 27th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Charlene Cutting and Angela Brown

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here

What are adverse childhood experiences?

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example: experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing violence in the home or community, having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with: substance use problems, mental health problems, instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison.

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we talk about ways to combat Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Date: April 8th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Presented by: Angela Brown

This training will:

— Help you to understand what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are; plus, the impact and consequences they have on individuals and communities.
— Recognize the symptoms and behaviors of toxic stress.
— Learn strategies that build resilience in trauma-impacted individuals.
— What are adverse childhood experiences?

How big is the problem?

ACEs are common. About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.

Preventing ACEs could potentially reduce many health conditions. For example, by preventing ACEs, up to 1.9 million heart disease cases and 21 million depression cases could have been potentially avoided.

Some children are at greater risk than others. Women and several racial/ethnic minority groups were at greater risk for experiencing four or more types of ACEs.

ACEs are costly. The economic and social costs to families, communities, and society totals hundreds of billions of dollars each year. A 10% reduction in ACEs in North America could equate to an annual savings of $56 billion.

What are the consequences?

ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, as well as life opportunities such as education and job potential. These experiences can increase the risks of injury, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and child health problems (including teen pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and fetal death), involvement in sex trafficking, and a wide range of chronic diseases and leading causes of death such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and suicide.

ACEs and associated social determinants of health, such as living in under-resourced or racially segregated neighborhoods, frequently moving, and experiencing food insecurity, can cause toxic stress (extended or prolonged stress). Toxic stress from ACEs can negatively affect children’s brain development, immune systems, and stress-response systems. These changes can affect children’s attention, decision-making, and learning.

Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances, jobs, and depression throughout life. These effects can also be passed on to their own children. Some children may face further exposure to toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas due to systemic racism or the impacts of poverty resulting from limited educational and economic opportunities.

Register Here

At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: April 29th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Caitlyn Shieler and Brian Van der Linden

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here

At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: May 28th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Karin Duncan and Shytianna Taylor

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here

What are adverse childhood experiences?

Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example: experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing violence in the home or community, having a family member attempt or die by suicide.

Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding, such as growing up in a household with: substance use problems, mental health problems, instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison.

Join us for an in-depth discussion as we talk about ways to combat Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Date: June 12th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EST)
Location: Online via Zoom
Presented by: Brian Van der Linden

This training will:

— Help you to understand what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are; plus, the impact and consequences they have on individuals and communities.
— Recognize the symptoms and behaviors of toxic stress.
— Learn strategies that build resilience in trauma-impacted individuals.
— What are adverse childhood experiences?

How big is the problem?

ACEs are common. About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experienced at least one type of ACE before age 18, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.

Preventing ACEs could potentially reduce many health conditions. For example, by preventing ACEs, up to 1.9 million heart disease cases and 21 million depression cases could have been potentially avoided.

Some children are at greater risk than others. Women and several racial/ethnic minority groups were at greater risk for experiencing four or more types of ACEs.

ACEs are costly. The economic and social costs to families, communities, and society totals hundreds of billions of dollars each year. A 10% reduction in ACEs in North America could equate to an annual savings of $56 billion.

What are the consequences?

ACEs can have lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, as well as life opportunities such as education and job potential. These experiences can increase the risks of injury, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and child health problems (including teen pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and fetal death), involvement in sex trafficking, and a wide range of chronic diseases and leading causes of death such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and suicide.

ACEs and associated social determinants of health, such as living in under-resourced or racially segregated neighborhoods, frequently moving, and experiencing food insecurity, can cause toxic stress (extended or prolonged stress). Toxic stress from ACEs can negatively affect children’s brain development, immune systems, and stress-response systems. These changes can affect children’s attention, decision-making, and learning.

Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances, jobs, and depression throughout life. These effects can also be passed on to their own children. Some children may face further exposure to toxic stress from historical and ongoing traumas due to systemic racism or the impacts of poverty resulting from limited educational and economic opportunities.

Register Here

At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.

Date: June 26th, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Location: Harborview Mental Health Center – 7025 Harbour View Blvd, Suite 119, Suffolk, VA 23435
Trainers: Shytianna Taylor and Brian Van der Linden

Like all of LivingWorks’ core programs, LivingWorks safeTALK is evidence-based. Here’s what over 15 peer-reviewed reports and government studies on LivingWorks safeTALK found:

— Improves participant skills and readiness
— Safe for participants, with no adverse effects from training
— Effective for participants as young as 15 years old
— Helps break down suicide stigma in the community
— Better skill retention compared to other connector programs

LivingWorks safeTALK participants learn to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to an intervention provider, such as an LivingWorks ASIST participants.

In this way, LivingWorks safeTALK participants build a safety network around these intervention providers and greatly increase their reach and impact.

Register Here