A campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and creation of support groups and suicide prevention awareness programs are likely to be part of a new community action plan to reduce suicides in the region.
San Juan Basin Public Health recently released a summary report on its community suicide prevention summit, and said the agency will pursue collaborative action in upcoming months.
The action plan is in the early planning stages, according to Claire Ninde, a spokeswoman for the health department. Although SJBPH has not convened formally with any partners, Ninde stressed the importance of a joint effort.
“This action plan will only be successful if this is a community-based response,” she said.
There have been nine suicides in La Plata County since the beginning of the year.
In response to feedback from the summit, the health department will structure the plan around the 10 Pillars of a Suicide Safer Community, developed by LivingWorks, a news release said. LivingWorks is a public service organization that works to empower communities with life-saving skills.
The 10 pillars of action include:
Establishing a leadership committee with representation from schools, health care providers, the faith community, law enforcement and others;Develop a community needs assessment and action plan to guide the leadership team; Mental health and wellness promotion that could include enhancing existing resources with such things as mindfulness training and family-friendly gathering places;Suicide prevention awareness that could include expanding initiatives such as anti-bullying programs;Training community members to identify at-risk people and help them get needed support; Suicide intervention collaboration to ensure crisis providers and counselors can provide needed support; Improve clinical and support services collaboration and communication to better understand possible gaps in services; Suicide bereavement support and ensuring resources are accessible to individuals and families; Evaluation and dissemination of the action plan, and Capacity building and sustainability to ensure the efforts have long-lasting strength. “We are looking at possibly mimicking the Let’s Talk Colorado campaign, but we haven’t committed to anything yet,” Ninde said.
Let’s Talk Colorado is a public health campaign that aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness so that people do not feel ashamed about asking for help.
Reader Comments