Goals, Objectives, Activities

Goal 1: Improve screening and identification of, and referral to services for, youth at risk of suicide

Objective 1.1. Increase skill and knowledge of school-based substance abuse counselors at the Brien Center substance abuse treatment unit in identifying youth at risk of suicide

• Activity 1.1.1: Provide suicide risk assessment training to school-based substance abuse counselors employed by the Brien Center

• Activity 1.1.: Create a list of suicide prevention resources for staff, such as hotline numbers.

Objective 1.2: High school and middle school parents who will demonstrate increased ability to identify risk factors and warning signs of suicide, and knowledge of referral resources and procedures

• Activity 1.2.1: Provide trainings to parents in 7 high schools and 4 middle schools (7th and 8th grade) which incorporates info about risk factors, warning signs and available resources

• Activity 1.2.2: Create and distribute suicide prevention materials and resource information to parents at trainings

Objective 1.3: 75 % of program staff from 15 youth serving agencies will demonstrate increased knowledge and skill in identifying risk factors and warning signs of suicide, and in making referrals for those in need of services

• Activity 1.3.1: Provide gatekeeper training to community-based agencies who have not had training within last two years

• Activity 1.3.2: Provide staff with resource and referral information

Objective 1.4: 60% of first responders agencies (fire, police, EMT agencies) will demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skill in early identification, screening of and referral for youth at high risk for suicide

• Activity 1.4.1: Conduct gatekeeper training for first responders Outputs Intermediate Outcomes: Long term Outcomes

Goal 2: Increase help-seeking behaviors among youth to prevent suicide

Objective 2.1: Increase youth knowledge of community, state, and national suicide prevention resources

• Activity 2.1.1: Create and distribute wallet cards with resources within the community and for youth receiving services in youth serving orgs

• Activity 2.1.2: Promote web-based media resources for youth that include SP resource information

Goal 3: Community agencies will have updated and appropriately reviewed protocols to adequately address youth suicidal behavior

Objective 3.1 X% of youth-serving organizations and schools will have developed/updated (as needed), reviewed and trained staff in current crisis and referral protocols and procedures for responding to youth suicidal behavior.

• Activity 3.1.1 Provide consultation in the development and/or editing and application of best practice models for protocols and procedures for responding to youth suicidal behavior

• Activity 3.1.2 Provide consultation/training to staff in implementing protocols and procedures for responding to youth suicidal behavior Trainings conducted All agencies that have protocols will have reviewed them with staff and developed a plan to do so semi-annually

• Activity 3.1.3 Work with umbrella funding agencies (i.e. the United Way) to mandate suicide intervention protocols with their grant requirements

Goal 4: Reduce risk and promote protective factors in at-risk youth

Objective 4.1 Increase connectedness and sense of belonging for LGBTQ youth in school and the community

• Activity 4.1.1 Develop and coordinate a LGBTQ youth subcommittee of Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention to examine/address social isolation of LGBTQ youth in the region

• Activity 4.1.2 Identify and support schools that currently have GSAs, and support schools that wish to create GSAs Identification of schools who are looking to initiate/expand their GSA’s Membership in GSA’s increases

Goal 5 Build capacity of the community to address the issue of youth suicide

Objective 5.1 Increase individual and organizational networks working together to address the issue of suicide

• Activity 5.1.1 Create a Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention (BCSP)

• Activity 5.1.2: Create a contact distribution list to interested individuals, professionals, and organizations who may be interested in joining the coalition and other activities

New Project Coordinator

I am pleased to announce that we have hired a new Project Coordinator. Bear McHugh began on Monday, March 1, 2010.

Bear has an MSW with an extensive clinical background and has a long history working with youth, addiction and mental health. He is an LCSW, CASAC. Bear also is the founder of Diversity Matters Corp. and has done trainings on diversity. His recent work also includes being a real estate investor/landlord. He has experience in developing, implementing and evaluating programs and services.

Bear has great energy and I am confident you will find it a pleasure to work with him.