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History of State Suicide Prevention Efforts:

20052003
  • Joint Commission on Behavioral Health Care is developing a Plan and Strategy for Suicide Prevention in the Commonwealth; the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in cooperation with the Secretaries of Education and Public Safety, will lead an interagency and cross-secretarial effort to formulate a comprehensive Suicide Prevention across the Lifespan Plan for the Commonwealth
2002
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) award a suicide prevention grant equaling $966,992 over three years to VDH to focus on training and distribution of materials that promote early recognition of depression and suicide in order to provide active intervention and referral to those who may have a tendency toward suicide; VDH creates suicide prevention website
2001
  • An amendment to the Code of Virginia (32.1-73.7) designates VDS as the lead agency for youth suicide prevention in the Commonwealth
  • Virginia Commission on Youth develops Youth Suicide Prevention Plan, with the assistance of VDH, DMHMRSAS and DOE
  • The Virginia Suicide Prevention Council is established through a public/private partnership
  • Virginia Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee is established to advise DMHMRSAS on the mental health recommendations included in the Youth Suicide Prevention Plan
  • Interagency Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinating Committee forms
1999
  • Virginia passes legislation directing the state Department of Education (DOE), in cooperation with the state Departments of Health (VDH) and Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS), to develop guidelines for school personnel to use when a student is determined to be at imminent risk for attempting suicide; DOE follows up by writing and disseminating the Suicide Prevention Guidelines
1995
  • General Assembly establishes Virginia State Child Fatality Review Team
1989
  • 1999 - Virginia Department for the Aging releases report on suicide and substance abuse among the elderly resulting in the Statewide Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention Plan for the Elderly
1988
  • Joint Committee Studying Youth Suicide Prevention issues report in response to the growing problem of youth suicide

For assistance, please contact your SPRC Prevention Specialist, Elana Premack Sandler, by email at epsandler@edc.org or telephone at 617-618-2850.