1. Description or Purpose of Grant

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Massachusetts Youth Suicide Prevention Project, seeks to reduce the rate of suicide mortality among young people ages 10-24. Its goal is to increase the capacities of communities disproportionately affected by suicide to develop more effective early intervention and response systems.

To achieve our goal, the project has five objectives and strategies: (1) Through an RFR process, select three Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs) from the eight who are eligible. The CHNAs must designate a lead agency which will also be the fiscal agent for the CHNA. (2) Through an assessment and planning process each CHNA selected will identify priority populations and develop a plan and timeline for targeted prevention and postvention activities with the priority populations. (3) Each of the three CHNAs will build capacity for suicide prevention activities among staff of local agencies, gatekeepers and other stakeholders through training and technical assistance. (4) Each CHNA selected will develop and implement interventions that (a) Raise awareness among community members and key stakeholders about suicide prevention and postvention needs and resources. (b) Reach at-risk youth and families with early intervention activities. (c) Offer postvention support to survivor families and peers. (d) Support the development of regional suicide prevention coalitions. (5) The CHNAs will work with MDPH to develop a system that enables suspected youth suicides to be reported quickly to MDPH which will coordinate postvention services to appropriate community systems that support survivors and manage the risk of suicide contagion.

The Massachusetts Youth Suicide Prevention Program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Substance abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), #2U79SM057402-04.

2. Contact Information

Contact Person: Christine M. Farrell-O'Reilly
Title: Injury Prevention and Control Program
Address: MA Department of Public Health
250 Washington St., 4th floor
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone #: (617) 624-6076
Fax #: (617) 624-5075
E-mail or Internet Address: christine.farrell-o'reilly@state.ma.us