September 30, 2025 - Harrisburg, PA
Leadership from the Shapiro Administration joined suicide prevention advocacy groups and Pennsylvanians affected by suicide to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The event shared resources and information on how people can help others experiencing suicidal ideation or a mental health crisis and uplifted stories of people from groups with a heightened risk of suicide, including older adults, farmers and rural communities, veterans, Black youth, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. "DHS is honored to work alongside our agency colleagues and suicide prevention organizations to share stories of suicide loss and raise awareness about how to get help, reduce stigma, and to offer hope," said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "The more we talk about our mental health and check in with our loved ones, the more we can help people feel safe talking about what's going on beneath the surface. By starting the conversation, providing resources, and directing help to those who need it, we can save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone." LIST OF SPEAKERSSecretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Department of Human Services Major General Terry Koudelka, Deputy Adjutant General-Air, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs James Stafford, Veterans' Services Specialist, Southeast PA Region, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Jonathan Bowman, Department of Aging Karen Leonovich, Director of Policy and Programs, PA Association of Area Agencies on Aging Alyson Thebes, Director, Perry County Area Agency on Aging Matt Espenshade, President, PA State Grange Casey Pick, Director of Law & Policy, The Trevor Project Stephen Sharp, Co-Leader, Pennsylvania Black Youth Suicide Workgroup
"DHS is honored to work alongside our agency colleagues and suicide prevention organizations to share stories of suicide loss and raise awareness about how to get help, reduce stigma, and to offer hope," said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "The more we talk about our mental health and check in with our loved ones, the more we can help people feel safe talking about what's going on beneath the surface. By starting the conversation, providing resources, and directing help to those who need it, we can save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You are not alone."
LIST OF SPEAKERSSecretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Department of Human Services Major General Terry Koudelka, Deputy Adjutant General-Air, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs James Stafford, Veterans' Services Specialist, Southeast PA Region, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Jonathan Bowman, Department of Aging Karen Leonovich, Director of Policy and Programs, PA Association of Area Agencies on Aging Alyson Thebes, Director, Perry County Area Agency on Aging Matt Espenshade, President, PA State Grange Casey Pick, Director of Law & Policy, The Trevor Project Stephen Sharp, Co-Leader, Pennsylvania Black Youth Suicide Workgroup
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