Suicide is not an easy topic to talk about. It can make people feel downright uncomfortable. But removing the stigma around the topic can help people who are struggling open up and talk about their feelings. And their friends and families need to be prepared to listen and offer help. A new suicide prevention program Read More
Category: Blog
Virginia Departments Collaborate to Revise Suicide Prevention Guidelines for Students
Suicide is a serious public health problem among all age groups. Among youth, it exacts an enormous toll due to the significant years of potential life lost. In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death among youths ages 10 – 24 years of age. Youth suicidal thoughts, attempts and deaths have been on Read More
Outreach, Connection and Support Are Key Goals of Veteran Support Program
The Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program (VVFS) is operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and provides Outreach, Connection and Support to veterans and their families as they address the challenges of military service, transition, deployments, Post Traumatic Stress and other behavioral health concerns as well as Traumatic Brain Injuries and other physical Read More
Connection and Hope Are Vital for Health and Well Being
Communities, both in the sense of place and social groupings, are a fundamental resource for health and wellbeing. Connection, rather than isolation, can be a key ingredient for a happy, healthy life. Good social connections and supportive relationships with friends and family are known to be vital, according to researchers. On the flip side, feeling isolated, Read More
Don’t Take Brain Injury Lightly! VA Organization Raises Awareness
These days, the danger of brain injury seems to be all over the news. Beloved actor Bob Saget recently died as a result of hitting his head in his hotel room. Suffering a blow to the head is never something to be taken lightly. Every year, thousands of Virginia citizens of all ages suffer from Read More
Screening for Brain Injuries Should Be Part of Routine Medical Care
Suffering a blow, or repeated blows, to the head, strangulation, a fall or other head injury can cause a traumatic brain injury leading to short or long term negative consequences. Unfortunately, most brain injuries go undiagnosed. The Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) is committed to changing that. In an ideal world, people would get Read More
Brain Injury Screening Should Be Part of Treating Domestic Violence
Screening for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) should be part of the process of providing care to someone in a domestic violence (DV) situation, advise experts at the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV). But they also acknowledge this can be a challenge as it’s adding one more procedure to an often already overwhelmed DV program. Read More
Access to Care Often Hampered By Undiagnosed Brain Injuries
Whether it’s a survivor of intimate partner violence, a student suddenly and uncharacteristically acting out in class, or a person experiencing homelessness, the likelihood that they have suffered at least one serious brain injury is extremely high. Unfortunately, it’s just as likely that they haven’t been screened for it. The Brain Injury Association of Virginia Read More