Paddle for Suicide Prevention
Paddle for Prevention Benefits of Being on the Water
- Can be used to help manage PTSD
- Lowers stress and anxiety levels
- Elevates and sustains feelings of Happiness
- Can enhance quality of conversations.
- Being in the water helps the body alter the balance of epinephrine and dopamine to the levels of a meditative state. You will learn to focus on all aspects of paddling from water safety, navigating, stroke technique, board control, balance & coordination, equipment, and education.
- Physical Health: It provides a full body workout, improving cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility.
Why does water impact us in this way?
Being around or near water chemically affects our brain and how we feel. It can increase neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Colloquially, these neurotransmitters are referred to as the happiness hormone, the feel-good hormone, and the cuddle hormone. It can also decrease cortisol and stress. Blue Mind is described as the “mildly meditative state we fall into when near, in, on or under water” says Wallace J. Nichols. He’s the marine biologist who wrote the well-known book “Blue Mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do” in 2014.
His research showed that being close to or in water provides a long list of benefits for our mind and body. This includes an increased sense of well-being and happiness, and lowered stress, anxiety, heart, and breathing rate. Nichols proposes that Blue Mind is the solution to “Red Mind” – or the stressed, overstimulated state that most of us have experienced in modern life.
Our Launch Sites: 3-hour tours start to finish
- Indian Rocks Beach-1600 Gulf Blvd Public Beach Access
- Getaway-13090 Gandy Blvd (mangrove trails) scenic, St.Petersburg, Florida
- Clearwater Sailing Center-1001 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Florida
- Bay Pines VA -pending
Hours of availability: Tuesdays & Saturdays 8 am-4 pm depending on launch sites. For groups, families, companies, and individuals. Under 12 accompanied by a parent. Our guides are First responders, nurses, doctors, lived experience with suicide, and area athletes.
We provide: Paddle Boards, Tandem Kayaks, Paddles, Life Preservers, Megalodons, Floating pads with anchor
- Each participant receives a suicide prevention kit with referrals
- Free Narcan with education
- Free gun lock if needed
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water
- Water Shoes
- Towel
Suggested Rental Rates is $50 pp for 3 hours, free if you bring your own board.
Paddle for Suicide Prevention
Classes Offered
- One-hour State Facilitator with AFSP- “Talk Saves Lives.”
- One-hour Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator
- 30-minute training session on Narcan for Opioid Drug Overdose with free Narcan
- One-hour support group to establish a Safety Care Plan and go over Community Partners Connection
Programs Offered
- 45 min Paws Up for Mental Health for ages 2-11: Music & Literacy for Mental Health that addresses Feelings, Thoughts and Action and will establish a mental health pledge using Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health”. For Libraries, Day Cares, Preschools and Early Elementary.
Paddle for Prevention Program-4-week program
- One hour “Talk Saves Lives” presentation.
- One hour support group to establish a Safety Care Plan and go over Community Partners Connection
- Paddle board and Kayak Inservice with water safety education
- 2.5 Hour Paddleboard on the Megalodon that holds up to 4 people or Tandem Kayak Excursion from start to finish-various locations, all equipment provided.
Paddle for Suicide
Prevention Launch Sites
- Indian Rocks Beach Access-1600 Gulf Blvd
- 9300 Bay Pines Veterans Memorial Park
- Seminole Waterfront Park-Long Bayou-wheelchair Accessible
Days and Times will vary to meet the needs of individuals.
All classes will be 2.5 hours in length from start to finish, weather permitting.
All equipment will be provided.
Please bring own water and sunscreen
What to wear: Water shoes, hat and sunglasses
Educational brochures with mental health education will be provided by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention at the day of launching.
If we are not able to paddle, weather permitting , we can walk the beach or the grounds where we are at.
Paddle for prevention times by appointment so just contact us to schedule a time.
