Suicide Awareness
As parents of kiddos with autism who struggle sometimes to process the world around them, does it ever seem that some days everything is a crisis for them? Our best sleuthing efforts can still leave us scratching our heads, (or pulling our hair out) wondering what is at the root of "the crisis." Many of our children struggle to express themselves, and in the processing of doing so can throw out some really frightening words!
Dr. Robert Grant from CC Counseling in Nixa will be guest hosting SWAN's April meeting and says, "Children and adolescents with ASD struggle with emotional regulation. Some of these struggles can manifest overwhelming emotions leading to comments about suicide. Are these statements simply a result of dysregulation? Are these statements literally what the child is thinking and planning? These are important questions for any parent of a child with ASD to explore and understand how to effectively address the situation."
In an effort to help parents feel more confident and better equipped to know how to do just that, we're pleased to welcome Dr. Mike Ferguson from the Teen TXT Crisis Line. Dr. Ferguson says, "Our organization is about providing skills to parents, professionals, and everyday people to understand the signs of someone who is facing an emotional or suicidal crisis. We provide the training, and a Text Crisis Line for teens and young adults who need immediate help. Those attending the meeting will know how to recognize the signs of spiraling emotions because of a crisis or event. They will also learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of those thinking about suicide, and will have a better understanding of how to help them resolve their suicidal ideations."
April's meeting will include a question and answer session afterward. This will be a great session dedicated to equipping parents to feel more confident about helping their loved ones who struggle with emotional regulation and suicidal ideation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dr. Robert Grant from CC Counseling in Nixa will be guest hosting SWAN's April meeting and says, "Children and adolescents with ASD struggle with emotional regulation. Some of these struggles can manifest overwhelming emotions leading to comments about suicide. Are these statements simply a result of dysregulation? Are these statements literally what the child is thinking and planning? These are important questions for any parent of a child with ASD to explore and understand how to effectively address the situation."
In an effort to help parents feel more confident and better equipped to know how to do just that, we're pleased to welcome Dr. Mike Ferguson from the Teen TXT Crisis Line. Dr. Ferguson says, "Our organization is about providing skills to parents, professionals, and everyday people to understand the signs of someone who is facing an emotional or suicidal crisis. We provide the training, and a Text Crisis Line for teens and young adults who need immediate help. Those attending the meeting will know how to recognize the signs of spiraling emotions because of a crisis or event. They will also learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of those thinking about suicide, and will have a better understanding of how to help them resolve their suicidal ideations."
April's meeting will include a question and answer session afterward. This will be a great session dedicated to equipping parents to feel more confident about helping their loved ones who struggle with emotional regulation and suicidal ideation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dr. Mike Ferguson
Dr. Mike Ferguson is a Psychologist, Suicidologist, and Founder of a National Teen TXT Crisis Line, connecting youth and young adults with Text Counselors who walk with them through emotional, relational, and suicidal crisis.
He has a PhD is in Psychology, and a Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology, with post graduate training in Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention, trains and speaks to communities about emotional CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Suicide Prevention and Intervention. He is certified in Psychological Autopsy, Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training, is certified in Suicide to Hope (s2H) Growth and Recovery training, has certificates in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Zero-Suicide Informed Clinical Care for Youth who are Suicidal, he is Certified in Trauma Responsive Training, as well as, certified to train communities in Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (C.A.L.M.). In addition to serving as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at OTC and Evangel University, Dr. Ferguson is a Public Mental Health Practitioner, and conducts training to everyday people about mental health issues, and suicide prevention. He is also a Field Advocate for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and a member of the American Association of Suicidology. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 33 years, and have two grown children and one amazing granddaughter. Dr. Ferguson can be reached by email at drmike@drmikeferguson.com, by text or phone at 417-501-9662. You can find out more about the Teen TXT Crisis Line at www.teentextcrisisline.org. providing skills to parents, professionals, and everyday people to understand the signs of someone who is facing an emotional or suicidal crisis. We provide the training and a Text Crisis Line for teens and young adults who need immediate help. |
Dr. Robert Grant
Dr. Robert Grant of CC Counseling in Nixa will guest host April's SWAN meeting. Dr. Grant completed his education from Missouri State University receiving a B.S. in Psychology, and a M.S. in Counseling, receiving his doctorate degree in Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Association for Play Therapy, and Missouri Association for Play Therapy..
Dr. Grant works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. His experience and specialization involves working with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mood Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depression Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Adjustment Disorders (divorce, grief and transition issues). He also specializes in working with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Grant is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an Autism and developmental disabilities treatment using play therapy, behavioral therapy, and relationship development techniques. Visit the AutPlay Therapy website for more information. Dr. Grant is also a Certified Autism Movement Therapy provider and trained in many established Autism treatment approaches. The Robert Jason Grant Ed.D Clinic is located at CC Counseling Services in Nixa, Missouri. For more information about his services visit http://www.robertjasongrant.com/contact/ Phone: 417-755-9042 Fax: 417-725-6206 Email: DrGrant@robertjasongrant.com |