Suicide is a topic we aren't comfortable talking about until we have to. Many of us are scared to even ask the question: "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" because we're not quite sure what to do if the answer is yes. We're taught how to look for warning signs and risk factors, but then what? What if someone is actually talking about ending their life? Let's talk about what to do next.
Tarra Grammenos, M.S., SC:L, NIC Adv. holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Graduate Certificate in Legal Interpreting, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology of Deviance, and Associates Degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Born and raised in Minnesota, Tarra has been an ASL/English Interpreter for almost 20 years. Since the death of her youngest brother to suicide in 2017, Tarra has immersed herself into the field of suicidology. She attends/facilitates a monthly suicide loss survivor support group, Out of the Darkness walks, hosts a yearly virtual ASL event for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in November, co-conducted a Psychological Autopsy Investigation, and is ASIST Certified (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Tarra has traveled all over the country presenting to Interpreters and the Deaf Community about the reality that is suicide.
Laura SkyQuest, MA, CDI Laura holds a Bachelor's Degree from Gallaudet University, and a Master's Degree in Deaf Education from McDaniel College. Before becoming a full-time staff Certified Deaf Interpreter, Laura was a K-12 teacher/ASL specialist working in Deaf schools for 15 years. They know first-hand how conversations about suicide, especially with deaf children and young adults can be very challenging. Laura is ASIST certified (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) through LivingWorks, and recently became trained as a Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator through AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and is looking forward to sharing those tools with the community.
