Berkshire County Coalition for Suicide Prevention on Nov 17th

Hello again

Exciting news! Below I pasted the flyer annoucement for the first ever Berkshire County Coalition for Suicide Prevention meeting. I hope you are intersted and can make it. Don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts about things you would like to see on the agenda. Thank you.

Have you been touched by Suicide?

Are you a survivor yourself, or through a loved one, friend, family members, co-workers? Do you work with suicidal clients? Suicides not only affect the individual but the whole community. In Massachusetts suicide deaths are three times the rate of homicides deaths. The suicide rate in rural areas like Berkshire County is higher compared to other areas of the state. Yet evidence-based research shows that suicide is preventable. The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) is forming a coalition in Berkshire County to help reduce the suicide rate in our community. All members are invited – youth, professionals, public officials, and concerned citizens. The purpose of this coalition is to:
· Network & create partnerships to increase awareness of suicide as a preventable public heath problem;
· Reduce stigma associated with suicide as a significant barrier to help-seeking;
· Influence the provision of services directed at populations at high-risk of suicide;
· Influence public policy in regards to suicide prevention services;
· Create strategies, goals & objectives to reduce the incidence of suicide.

What: Berkshire County Coalition for Suicide Prevention Meeting
(A Project of Berkshire CHNA Youth Suicide Prevention Project)

When: Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Where: Crowne Plaza, Top of the Plaza, One West Street, Pittsfield

Tuna & Chicken Salad Wraps, chips and cold drinks will be served.
Please RSVP by Thursday, November 12, 2009 to Sheila Dargie at sdargie@berkshireahec.org or (413) 447-2417

“The Key to Solving the Puzzle is Your Involvement”

For more information contact:
Jon Phillips, Project Coordinator
(413) 447-2417
jphillips@berkshireahec.org

Community Needs & Assets Assessment almost complete

Hello

Just wanted to update you on the progress of the CHNA's Youth Suicide Prevention Project Streering Committee's Needs Assessment for Berkshire County. It is almost complete! We have narrowed down six possible areas of focus from info and date we collected:

1) Targeting/increasing services for the GLBTQ youth and young adult population
2) Increasing awareness and reducing stigma associated with suicide
3) Targeting/increasing substance abuse services for youth
4) Targeting/increasing ‘First Responders’ training (EMT’s, Emergency Dept staff, police, firemen and women, etc.)
5) Targeting/increasing suicide response protocols in schools, agencies, youth programs, etc.
6) Targeting programs to increase access to services for more rural and isolated populations

However these are not set in stone. We still have a month or two to go before we finalize this list and focus on providing services. Please let me know any thoughts you have about this list, and/or any suggestions you have that may not be on the list.

Thanks for tuning in and I hope to hear from you soon.

Jon Phillips, Project Coordinator