Dennis Gillan
Dennis Gillan is on a mission to reverse the current trends in completed suicides and to seriously reduce the stigma associated with getting help for one's mental health. Dennis lost two brothers to suicide, eleven years apart. After years of sitting on the sidelines, he jumped into helping those in need by working on the suicide prevention hotline when he lived in Chicago. After moving to South Carolina Dennis got involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and is on the board of the local state chapter. In this capacity he gets to lobby lawmakers for additional funding for suicide prevention and raise funds and awareness to help combat the rise in completed suicides.
Dennis has a gift for telling his personal story of how he recovered from the loss of his two brothers and what he has learned along the way and the audience really responds!
Fun fact---you will laugh during this presentation. hard to believe, but it is totally appropriate and helps the message land. What is the message? Live is worth living and it is totally ok to not be ok!!
Dennis Gillan is on a mission to reverse the current trends in completed suicides and to seriously reduce the stigma associated with getting help for one's mental health. Dennis lost two brothers to suicide, eleven years apart. After years of sitting on the sidelines, he jumped into helping those in need by working on the suicide prevention hotline when he lived in Chicago. After moving to South Carolina Dennis got involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and is on the board of the local state chapter. In this capacity he gets to lobby lawmakers for additional funding for suicide prevention and raise funds and awareness to help combat the rise in completed suicides.
Dennis has a gift for telling his personal story of how he recovered from the loss of his two brothers and what he has learned along the way and the audience really responds!
Fun fact---you will laugh during this presentation. hard to believe, but it is totally appropriate and helps the message land. What is the message? Live is worth living and it is totally ok to not be ok!!
Journey Towards Recovery
min 30min
max 90min
In this talk, Dennis takes your audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as he explains how he recovered from the suicide deaths of both of his brothers. Following the latest guidelines on speaking about
suicide and suicide prevention, Dennis will discuss the warning signs of mental distress, the benefits of therapy, and how he found peace in sobriety. Dennis has a...
Soul Shop
Format: All Day Training!
Soul Shop™ is an interactive workshop that equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation. At a Soul Shop™ workshop attendees will learn:
- How to prevent suicide in your community
- The signs of suicide risk and warning signs
- How to ask a person at risk if they...
Q-P-R Question, Persuade, Refer
Format: In-person or virtual
This program is perfect for:
- [type of employee or situation]
- [type of employee or situation]
The audience will leave with:
- How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal
- How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
- The common causes of suicidal behavior
- The...
Come to Me
Participants consider both sides of the mental illness equation - those who have the condition, and those around them. In this session, Dennis sets up practical sessions where coming out is practiced and the proper response is rehearsed. Both sides will walk away with the understanding that there is no stigma necessary when it comes to mental health.
LivingWorks safeTALK
Format: 4 Hours--in person
This program is perfect for:
- Customer facing employees
- Anyone who cares!
LivingWorks safeTALK provides in-depth skills to recognize signs of suicide, engage someone, and ensure a connection to safety. The in-person format includes powerful audiovisuals and live practice.
The People That You Meet
Format: The People That You Meet When You Are Vulnerable
This program is perfect for: Mental Health Awareness
Dennis will review some incredible people that he has met ever since he became a mental health advocate!
Member Of
Certifications & Awards
