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Kentucky State Suicide Prevention Information

• Contact Information
• Recent Developments
• State Events
• History of State Suicide Prevention Efforts
• State and Local Prevention Resources
• Legislation/Resolutions
• Funding Sources

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Kentucky Contact Information:

Please click on contact information to view the person(s) taking the lead in suicide prevention planning efforts in all of the states or territories.

Recent Developments:

• 2008 – KSPG, in connection with the state Garrett Lee Smith grant, is developing a means restriction training program to be piloted and utilized in emergency departments as an increased safety measure for at-risk adolescents.
  
  
• 2008 – New efforts have been launched to provide clinician training in the assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal clients; workshops offered include 'Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk', 'Working with the Suicidal Client', and 'Evidence-based Care for the Client At-risk for Suicide'; 300 clinicians have been trained since March 2008.
  
  
• Kentucky currently has three QPR master trainers; training and certification efforts are underway for additional QPR instructors, and QPR training for various stakeholders is being implemented throughout the state.
  
  
• For current information about the activities and goals of Kentucky's state suicide prevention coalition, please visit the website of the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group (KSPG).
  
  
• Preparations for 2008 National Suicide Prevention Week are underway, including development a statewide social marketing campaign, centered around the theme of "Let's Talk"; a suicide prevention video that documents the impact of suicide; intensive QPR training from Kentucky's approximately 195 QPR trainers; and local community efforts around the state.
  
  
• The development of suicide prevention efforts is being targeted for specific groups such as middle and high schools, colleges and universities, business corporations, and emergency departments.
  
  
• KSPG is working to further promote local suicide prevention coalition development, building on the existing seven coalitions in the state, with the ultimate goal to have an active coalition in each of Kentucky's 14 mental health regions. The most recent coalition building has occurred in Bullitt County, with a first meeting in May 2008.
  
  

State Events:

Visit the SPRC Calendar of Events for more details on all state and national events. If you would like to add a particular event, please take a moment to fill out our online Add Your Event form.

State and Local Prevention Resources:

Organizations

Materials

• Materials are available on the DMHMR website including brochures, pamphlets, website, articles, and reports.
  
  
• Vital statistics data are available at the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group website.
  
  

Legislation/Resolutions:

• 2010 – Suicide prevention training for staff working in schools – SB 65 AN ACT relating to suicide prevention training. Amend KRS 158.070 to require principals, guidance counselors, and teachers to complete a minimum of two hours of instruction in suicide prevention each school year. SFA (1, W. Blevins Jr.) - Amend KRS 161.011 to permit suicide prevention training for classified employees to be accomplished through self-review of suicide prevention materials. HCS - Require 2 hours self-study of suicide prevention techniques in addition to the required 4 days of professional development for high school and middle school professionals.
  
  
• 2010 – Suicide prevention information dissemination in schools – HB 51 AN ACT relating to suicide prevention training. Amend KRS 156.095 to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to post suicide prevention awareness and training information on its Web page by August 1, 2010; require every public middle and high school administrator to disseminate suicide prevention awareness information to all middle and high school students by September 1, 2010, and September 1 of each year thereafter.
  
  
• 2004 – Senate Joint Resolution 148 – On April 22, Governor Ernie Fletcher signed the resolution recognizing the suicide prevention efforts of the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group.
  
  
• 2000 – House Bill 843 – was enacted establishing a commission to address the need for a comprehensive state plan to serve Kentuckians who suffer from mental illness, a substance abuse disorder, or both.
  
  

Funding Sources:

• 2006 – State grantee – of Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (SAMHSA) funding: Approximately $400,000
  
  
• The Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group operates via in-kind resources and volunteer efforts of its members. Minimal funds are available for administrative and material costs.
  
  
• See Kentucky Suicide Prevention Website
  
  

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

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The SPRC is supported by a grant (1 U79 SM57392-05) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). No official endorsement by SAMHSA or DHHS for the information on this web site is intended or should be inferred.

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