Star Valley Flame of Life

09/08/2025

Literally everything..
Might be hard. Might be messy. Might take a while. But everything is figureoutable.🤍...
***depreventionmonth ***delosssurvivor ***deawareness ***de #988

08/27/2025

PROSPER is the most fantastic strategy I’ve encountered since diving into su***de prevention. If you’re available, please attend. 🤍

🙏 Faith-Based Su***de Prevention Training
📅 When: September 11 | 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Where: Afton Community Center, 150 S. Washington St., Afton, WY
Instructor:
Chaplain Matt Ferguson – PROSPER Instructor
✔️ 18 years in law enforcement chaplaincy
✔️ Former Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Border Patrol
✔️ Decades of crisis response experience
Why It Matters
Leaders often see pain first. Su***de is not just mental illness—it is a spiritual and social crisis.
What You’ll Learn
✅ Simple, evidence-based steps anyone can use in crisis—no clinical background required
✅ How to recognize signs of su***de and respond with care
✅ Practical strategies shown to reduce su***de risk by up to 76%
Who Should Attend
Faith leaders, teachers, coaches, community leaders—or anyone others turn to for support. All are welcome.
👉 Free to attend.
More info: www.prospertogether.com

Questions: chaplain@prospertogether.net

08/19/2025

🤍🤍

05/01/2025

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!
Come walk wirh us.🤍

09/11/2024

09/11/2024

Today is world su***de prevention day 💚

09/10/2024

🕯️🤍🙏🏼

Today at 8pm, light a candle near a window to show your support for su***de prevention, to remember a lost loved one, and for the survivors of su***de. You are not alone. 💙🕯️

09/10/2024

As you all know by now, September is National Su***de Prevention Month. The week of September 8-14 this year is Su***de Prevention week and tomorrow, September 10th, is World Su***de Prevention Day.

So what is prevention? What does it look like and why is it important?

From www.afsp.org ...
"September is National Su***de Prevention Month – a moment that serves as a powerful reminder that there are steps we all must take in looking out for loved ones, the people in our community, and those who have been impacted by this leading cause of death."

I believe there are many aspects of su***de prevention. I've learned so much in the last 3 years, and I will continue to learn more as time goes on. Some of the ways I believe we can help in the realm of su***de prevention are:

-Talk about it!! Freely and openly, WITHOUT judgement or shame. Talk about emotions, feeling hopeless, thinking suicidal thoughts, death, etc with your families, your friends, in your workplace and in your groups. Talk about all of this in an age appropriate way with your own children. Don't hide it. Bring light to it. Bring it out of the darkness.

-If you don't know, research to learn more. There are so many resources. I will be linking some of what I am aware of later.

-Offer to be a friend, a listening ear, to take someone in crisis to get appropriate help, to talk them through it.

-988. Dial or text 988 for yourself or a loved one to be connected to immediate help.

-A person having their immediate needs met is a big part of prevention we don't always recognize. Someone having their financial needs met, housing, food, physical and mental health needs. Having these basic needs met can reduce a lot of stress and give hope to someone who is struggling.

-Awareness. Self awareness and awareness of those around us. Ask the hard questions.

-Coping skills. Often times suicidal people aren't mentally ill or depressed. They often lack coping skills. We can learn coping skills through therapy, coaching, books, online courses and the bounty of free online resources.

-Gatekeeper trainings. QPR is my favorite. Question. Persuade. Refer.

Below is a short list of some of my favorite resources for information on preventing su***de, bringing awareness and getting involved.

https://lincolncountyprevention.com/su***de-prevention/
https://afsp.org/
https://ncrbehavioralhealth.com/about (I have been to two of Dr Kent Corso's presentations and in my opinion this guy has the best take on su***de prevention of anything I've heard thus far. Highly recommend learning about his work)

Overall, I believe prevention is simple. It's not hard. Just care, be kind, check in with yourself and check on your friends. 🤍

Learn about su***de, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention. Our mission: save lives and bring hope to those affected by su***de

09/09/2024

In the spring of 2022, about 6 months after Teagan died, Star Valley Flame of Life, was born.
This little organization was created from deep within my broken heart with the desire to bring awareness to and help reduce the stigma around mental health and su***de, as well as honoring and in remembrance of Teagan.

I’m proud of what we’ve provided and what we’ve been able to facilitate to this point. This will be the first year since its inception that we aren’t holding a live event during National Su***de Prevention Week. There are a few reasons for this, most of them personal to me, but there are still things happening in honor of this week.
I’ll be offering something virtually each day this week, so stay tuned.

If you’ve been touched by su***de in anyway…whether you experience su***de ideation yourself or you support someone who does, or you’re a su***de loss survivor, etc., I would like your input. I have my own ideas, hopes and dreams for what SV Flame of Life can provide in the future and I also want community input and suggestions.

I’ll be posting a quick little survey later this week so if you feel like you can share, please do. There will be an option to share anonymously if you’d like that option.

Thank you to all those who support this cause. I’m looking forward to growing our capabilities of supporting su***de prevention and awareness.🤍

09/04/2024

I see you. I see you all. 🤍🤍

Credit: ***deprevention.official

09/02/2024

September is National Su***de Prevention Month..
It’s also the month we lost Teagan to su***de. .
It’s a hard month for me. .
And it’s a month that is meaningful to me. .
I’ll be sharing all month in the realm of su***de awareness and prevention. .
And Teagan. Because I love you forever and always, bud. No matter what.🤍

03/13/2024

Hi friends! Cassie has made this a consistent monthly support group!

March 19th and April 16th are the next two meeting times.

Please share so more people can be aware of this opportunity.🤍 Reach out if you have any questions.