The Spc Deweese County Suicide Prevention Coalition is a new nonprofit organization with a new mission and new initiatives. While the number of suicide related emergency room visits dropped last year, calls to the Mental Health Crisis Hotline rose by 35% to 37,633 – an average of 123 calls per day. The coalition is a collaborative effort that includes local partners and community leaders.
County Suicide Prevention
The Four County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s mission is to eliminate stigma surrounding suicide and increase access to mental health services for local residents. In the Four County area, depression and substance abuse are the two leading risk factors for suicide. In fact, one in four suicides are committed while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Although it can be difficult to seek help for substance abuse, there are steps that individuals can take to recover from their addictions and live healthier lives.
SPC Deweese County is part of the SPC network, an interagency organization that provides technical assistance and supports for local suicide prevention efforts. The network includes trained mental health crisis intervention professionals and information on resources and supports for those in need. The network also features a suicide prevention chat line that is available Monday through Friday from 4PM to 10PM.
Efforts in the Community
The SPC Deweese County Su suicide prevention coalition launches initiatives to decrease the number of suicides in the community. The coalition focuses on the suicide prevention efforts in the community and the Zero Reasons Why campaign, which has had an overall positive impact. The campaign has resulted in a decrease in suicide deaths and increased access to mental health care. According to statistics, the county had 103 suicides in 2017 and 2018, and the number of suicides is expected to decrease to eighty-nine by 2020.
The Coalition’s goals are to coordinate local resources, educate the community about suicide as a public health problem, and raise awareness of the causes, symptoms, and warning signs of suicide. The coalition is comprised of community members and professionals from various fields. Members of the coalition come from diverse backgrounds, including those who are survivors of suicide.
They also offer a survivor package for every individual or family who has experienced the suicide of a loved one. These packages have been evolved to assist suicide loss survivors. They include books, pens, journals, handmade gifts, canvas bags, encouragement bracelets, and encouragement custom pins, as well as other contact details for the same people and organizations. This is all achieved through community donations, and partner sponsorships. The purpose is to let them know that they are not alone.
Devastating Disease
Suicide prevention programs are necessary for communities in order to prevent and mitigate this devastating disease. By increasing staffing, these programs are able to better serve residents in Deweese County and surrounding communities. The coalition has also implemented several active initiatives, including the Zero Reasons Why campaign. This initiative has increased mental health help seeking and decreases the number of suicide deaths. Last year, the county recorded 103 suicide deaths. In 2019, the number dropped to 89. It is expected that the suicide rate will fall even further in 2020.
The funding opportunity is available to organizations that will use the funds to develop an active suicide loss survivor group in the county. This group must be open to the public and include trained facilitators. The funding will be available beginning in January 2022. The applicant organizations must identify and hire a project manager and submit written letters of support.
Operators are Overwhelmed
The new suicide crisis line will replace the current 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This new phone number will be staff around the clock. Most call will be hand by local operator but if the operator are overwhelmed national entit will take over. These organization are there to provide support to callers and ensure their safety.
To evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention program, rural programs should develop a data collection plan. The methods of data collection will depend on the types of data the program wishes to collect. For example, a program can use administrative data to monitor program participation, screening results, treatment adherence, and insurance billing. It can also collect outcome data related to knowledge transfer, confidence, and satisfaction. Data collection tool will need to be develop and some data may require an external database.
Mental Health Issues
Suicide prevention is an important part of a coordinated effort to prevent and treat depression and other mental health issues. Community participation is essential. Suicide prevention coalitions bring together key stakeholders, including law enforcement, mental health providers, substance use agencies, clergy, and other community groups to create a safer community.
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Another resource for those suffering from depression is the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, which coordinates local suicide prevention activities and prepares an annual report. The coalition uses the information in the report to understand trends and plan future prevention activities read more.