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This Month Don't Miss

March

• SPRC advances National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
  SPRC has taken the first major step to advance the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private collaborative with a mission to drive implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). According to Jerry Reed, SPRC’s director, “We are thrilled that we have hired Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, a psychologist, author, and experienced leader in suicide prevention, to serve as the Executive Secretary for the Alliance, and work toward ensuring its sustainability.” SPRC consulted with its funder, SAMHSA, the members of the National Council for Suicide Prevention, and others to ensure broad-based support for launching the Action Alliance through SPRC. SPRC’s primary role in the Action Alliance will be to provide support and sustainability. Members of the Alliance’s Executive Committee will be drawn from both the public and private sectors and will set policy and direction for the body. Dr. Spencer-Thomas will be publicly seeking nominations for the 15-20 positions on the Alliance’s Executive Committee.
  (Mar. 10, 2010)

• SPRC/AFSP add Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians to the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention (BPR)
  SPRC and AFSP have added Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk to Section III of the BPR. Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk: Essential Skills for Clinicians is an advanced two-day interactive training for mental health clinicians who want to acquire competency-based skills for working with clients at risk for suicide. Programs listed in Section III of the BPR address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and have been reviewed for accuracy, safety, likelihood of meeting objectives, and adherence to prevention program guidelines.
  
  For more information http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/PDF/RecognizingRespondingSuicideRiskEssentialSkillsClinicians.pdf
  (Mar. 10, 2010)

• NCIPC announces the new WISQARS Fatal Injury Mapping Module
  A new mapping feature has been added to WISQARS, the interactive injury-related database system of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The dataset allows users to generate customized, color-coded maps showing suicide incidence nationally and by region, state, and county. Since the data covers seven years (2000-2006), it can produce reliable county-level suicide death rates, as well as rates of deaths due to other intentional and unintentional injuries. Users can also specify race/ethnicity, sex, and age group or age range. States and communities can use the maps to target prevention planning, promote awareness, complement suicide-related news stories, and inform legislators and policymakers.
  
  For more information http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars
  (Mar. 10, 2010)

• SPRC/AFSP add Towards Good Practice: Standards and Guidelines for Suicide Bereavement Support Groups to the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention (BPR)
  SPRC and AFSP recently added Lifeline Australia's Towards Good Practice: Standards and Guidelines for Suicide Bereavement Support Groups to Section II of the BPR. The guidelines provide support to those who develop, facilitate, or participate in suicide bereavement support groups. Programs listed in Section II of the BPR have been reviewed for importance, likelihood of meeting objectives, accuracy, safety, congruence with prevailing knowledge, and appropriateness of development process.
  
  For more information http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/PDF/TowardsGoodPracticeStandardsGuidelinesSuicideBereavementSupportGroups.pdf
  (Mar. 5, 2010)

• SPRC presentations at AAS 43rd Annual Conference, April 21-24
  SPRC staff will be presenting pre-conference workshops and sessions at the American Association of Suicidology conference on a variety of topics, including: strategic communications; state planning and leadership; best practices; Native communities; continuity of care; a new curriculum for juvenile justice administrators; survivors working in suicide prevention; and suicide prevention in non-family systems, primary care, and schools.
  
  For more information http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/education-and-training/annual-conference
  (Mar. 5, 2010)

• Mental health campaign for the African American community
  On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), working in collaboration with the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation, announced the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. The new PSAs were unveiled at a Black History Month event at Howard University to coincide with the first annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Mental Health Awareness Day. The launch was telecast to colleges and universities nationwide.
  
  For more information http://www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov
  (Mar. 5, 2010)

February

• 6th World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and the Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders, Addressing Imbalances: Promoting Equity in Mental Health, November 17-19, 2010, Washington, DC
  Mental health is a critical issue for governments, communities, and individuals around the world. The 6th World Conference will address the pervasive and enduring inequalities that affect the mental health of millions of people, in both rich and poor countries. The conference focuses on five public health strategies to address imbalances and promote equity in mental health within five thematic areas. Abstracts are being accepted until April 30, 2010.
  
  For more information http://wmhconf2010.hhd.org/
  (Feb. 26, 2010)

• Improving early identification and treatment of adolescent depression: Considerations and strategies for health plans: An NIHCM Foundation issue brief.
  This issue brief, published by the National Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational Foundation (NIHCM Foundation), reviews recommendations for primary care health professionals to identify and treat adolescent depression and opportunities for health plans to support them. The strategies were developed in support of the goals of the National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health by 2010, a collaborative effort to improve the health, safety, and well-being of adolescents and young adults. Topics include: the prevalence of adolescent depression; consequences of unidentified depression; and costs of screening and treatment.
  
  For more information http://nihcm.org/pdf/Adol_MH_Issue_Brief_FINAL.pdf
  (Feb. 26, 2010)

• SPRC/AFSP add Army ACE Suicide Intervention Program to the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention (BPR)
  SPRC and AFSP have added the Army ACE Suicide Intervention Program to Section III of the BPR. Army ACE is a three-hour training that helps provide soldiers with the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to intervene with those at risk for suicide. Programs listed in Section III of the BPR address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and have been reviewed for accuracy, safety, likelihood of meeting objectives, and adherence to prevention program guidelines.
  
  For more information http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr/PDF/ArmyACESuicidePreventionProgram.pdf
  (Feb. 18, 2010)

• Applications are now open for the WHO’s MENTOR-VIP program
  MENTOR-VIP, global mentoring program for those working in the injury and violence prevention field was developed by WHO and a global network of experts. Applications for 2010-2011 mentees are open from February 15 – March 14, 2010.
  
  For more information http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/capacitybuilding/mentor_vip/
  (Feb. 18, 2010)

• Learn to facilitate a Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group
  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is offering training programs to help survivors of suicide loss learn the "how-to's" of creating and facilitating a support group. This two-day program combines lecture, interactive discussion and role-playing with feedback. The training is appropriate for survivors who would like to start a new group, as well as those who currently facilitate a group and would like to increase their knowledge and skills. Mental health professionals are also welcome.
  
  Registration is now open for the following workshops:
  Newark, NJ - March 12-13, 2010 (Deadline: Feb. 24, 2010)
  Manchester, NH - April 9-10, 2010 (Deadline: March 25, 2010) For more information: call 1-800-333-2377 x33 or
  e-mail Rebecca Thorp at rthorp@afsp.org
  
  For more information http://www.afsp.org/facilitatortraining
  (Feb. 11, 2010)

• SAMHSA Announces TANF funds for treatment services
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are notifying states about how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds can be used to help families in their communities who are in need of short term mental health or substance use treatment services. The TANF Emergency Fund is a provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
  (Feb. 11, 2010)

• MCHB publishes report on children’s health
  The Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) has published the report The Health and Well-Being of Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2007, which is now available online. The report provides both national and state-level data on U.S. children based on the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health. Notable findings include: About 4 out of 10 children in need of mental health services for emotional development or behavioral problems did not receive them; among uninsured children, more than half did not receive needed mental health services.
  
  For more information http://mchb.hrsa.gov/nsch07/
  (Feb. 11, 2010)

• New report on opportunities for suicide prevention in senior living communities
  A partnership of concerned federal agencies and private-sector organizations convened a summit on opportunities for mental health promotion and suicide prevention in senior living communities. The resulting 111-page report, "It Takes a Community", lays out a framework of whole population, at-risk population and crisis response approaches. The summit included findings from focus groups of older adult residents.
  
  For more information http://library.sprc.org/item.php?id=720
  (Feb. 4, 2010)

• The Sixth World Conference on the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders issues – Call for abstracts
  The focus of this year's conference is “Addressing Imbalances: Promoting Equity in Mental Health.” Abstracts for program sessions can now be submitted online for review. The conference is co-sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health, the Carter Center, the Clifford Beers Foundation, and Education Development Center, and will be held in Washington DC, Nov. 17-19, 2010.
  
  For more information http://wmhconf2010.hhd.org/
  (Feb. 4, 2010)

January

• 43rd AAS Annual Conference – April 21 – 24, 2010 in Orlando, Florida
  “Families, Community Systems and Suicide” is the theme of the 43rd American Association of Suicidology Annual Conference to be held at the Hilton, Walt Disney World. The conference provides a forum for health/mental health professionals, researchers, educators, clergy, survivors and others to meet and share information about suicide, suicidal persons, and the repercussions of suicide. In conjunction with AAS conference, the 8th Annual Crisis Centers Conference will take place on April 20 and 21, and the 22nd Annual Healing After Suicide Conference will take place on Saturday, April 24th.
  
  For more information http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/education-and-training/annual-conference
  (Jan. 27, 2010)

• SAMHSA’s 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) now available for analysis
  The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data and documentation files are now available for download and online analysis from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive (SAMHDA). The NSDUH provides epidemiological research and estimates the prevalence of substance use and mental health disorders. Registration and/or login are required for data analysis. Chapter 8 of this report provides an overview of findings on mental health problems in the United States, including the prevalence of serious mental illness, serious psychological distress, major depressive episodes, and, for the first time, suicidal thoughts and behavior.
  
  For more information http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUHlatest.htm
  (Jan. 27, 2010)

• WHO and EDC Launch TEACH-VIP E-Learning
  The World Health Organization and Education Development Center have released TEACH-VIP E-Learning, a self-paced version of the TEACH VIP curriculum on understanding and preventing injuries, violence, and suicide. Health and public health professionals, non-governmental organizations, students and teachers can select from 20 lessons available at no charge over the web. Individuals with limited or no access to the internet can order a CD-ROM version of the TEACH-VIP E-Learning material free of charge.
  
  For more information http://www.hhd.org/resources/webbasedcourses/teach-vip-e-learning-lessons-violence-and-injury-prevention
  (Jan. 20, 2010)

• SAMHSA Issues Call for 2010 Science and Service Awards
  SAMHSA has issued a call for applications for its 2010 Science and Service Awards, a national program that recognizes community-based organizations and coalitions that have shown exemplary implementation of evidence-based mental health and substance abuse interventions. Awards will be made in each of the following five categories: substance abuse prevention, treatment of substance abuse and recovery support services, mental health promotion, treatment of mental illness and recovery support services, and co-occurring disorders. Applications must be emailed by April 9, 2010 to Dr. Michelle Duda, Science and Service Awards Coordinator, at duda@unc.edu.
  
  For more information http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1001065017.aspx
  (Jan. 20, 2010)

• SAMHSA adds Lifelines program to the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
  NREPP has recently added Lifelines, a comprehensive, school-wide suicide prevention program for middle and high school students, to its searchable online registry of interventions. Lifelines is aimed at promoting a caring, competent school community that seeks to increase the likelihood that school staff and students will know how to identify at-risk youth, provide an appropriate initial response, and obtain help. Programs listed in NREPP have been reviewed for their quality of research support and readiness for dissemination. NREPP programs that address suicide risk are also listed in Section I of the SPRC/AFSP Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention.
  
  For more information http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/programfulldetails.asp?PROGRAM_ID=178
  (Jan. 14, 2010)

• SAFE-T Pocket Card available through SAMHSA Clearinghouse
  The SAFE-T Pocket Card is now available free of charge from SAMHSA. Call 1-800-789-2647 or email nmhic-info@samhsa.hhs.gov and ask for SMA09-4432 (Suicide Prevention — SAFE-T Pocket Card: Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage for Clinicians). The cards can also be ordered through SAMHSA’s online ordering system.
  
  The Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) pocket card is for mental health clinicians and health care professionals. It provides protocols for conducting a comprehensive suicide assessment, estimating suicide risk, identifying protective factors, and developing treatment plans and interventions responsive to the risk level of patients.
  
  For more information http://nmhicstore.samhsa.gov/publications/ordering.aspx
  (Jan. 14, 2010)

• 2010 Survivor of the Year Award
  The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is accepting applications for the 2010 Survivor of the Year award. The award honors individuals who have survived the loss of a loved one to suicide and turned their trauma and tragedy into suicide prevention efforts and/or survivor support. It will be presented at the AAS annual meeting this April. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2010.
  
  For more information http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=229&name=DLFE-199.pdf
  (Jan. 14, 2010)

• Injury Control and Emergency Health Services (ICEHS) Section of Injury Control and Emergency Health Services (ICEHS) Section of American Public Health Association (APHA) Call for Abstracts
  ICEHS has issued a call for abstracts related to prevention and control of injuries and violence in all settings for the 138th Annual American Public Health Association Meeting to be held November 6-10, 2010 in Denver, CO. Areas of interest include: suicide and self-inflicted injury; community interventions; strategic planning, evaluation of programs and policies; research methods and surveillance. Deadline for submissions is February 4, 2010
  
  For more information http://apha.confex.com/apha/138am/icehs.htm
  (Jan. 14, 2010)

• SPRC is pleased to announce the launch of the new American Indian/ Alaska Native Web Pages
  The web pages are intended to be a resource for people working to prevent suicide and promote wellness in Native communities. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center would like to thank the AI/AN professionals and community members across the country who contributed their thoughts and comments. AI/AN communities are very diverse, and we hope the results are accurate, respectful and helpful for all users.
  
  The pages offer links to:
  • NCAI National calendar of events,
  • Community readiness,
  • Best practices and local efforts,
  • Resources on digital storytelling and language archiving, and
  • Much more
  
  (Jan. 12, 2010)

• Special edition of the Weekly Spark!
  Looking Back at 2009: A Second Look at Stories SPRC Covered in 2009
  
  For more information http://www.sprc.org/news/index.asp
  (Jan. 11, 2010)

• The articles below are featured in a special edition of the Weekly Spark. Looking Back at 2009: A Second Look at Stories SPRC Covered in 2009
  
  
  
  For more information
  
  (Jan. 8, 2010)

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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.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is a project in EDC’s Health and Human Development Division
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