[YSPNetwork] Fwd: [SUICIDOLOGY] News from the National Action Alliance forSuicide Prevention
Donna NOONAN
donna.noonan at state.or.us
Mon Jan 3 12:57:34 PST 2011
YSPNetworkers,
FYI:
>>> "Sally Spencer-Thomas" <sally at CARSONJSPENCER.ORG> 12/30/2010 8:32
AM >>>
For Immediate Release
Contact: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas 720-244-6535 or
202-572-3784 or sspencer at edc.org
Katie Wootten
202-572-3722 or
kwootten at edc.org
Three High-Risk Populations Targeted for National Suicide Prevention
Efforts
Task Forces Focus on LGBT Youth, American Indians/Alaska Natives,
Military/Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC (INSERT DATE)*The National Action Alliance for Suicide
Prevention today added three new task forces to address suicide
prevention efforts within high-risk populations: American
Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN); youth who identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, or transgender (LGBT); and military service members and
veterans. This brings to six the number of task forces formed by the
Action Alliance, the public-private partnership forged in September to
advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP)
(http://www.actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org).
*I am heartened that we are focusing attention on communities hardest
hit by suicide. By shining a light on their struggles I am optimistic
we can help them identify solutions and bring hope for a better
tomorrow,* said Gordon H. Smith, co-chair of the Action Alliance.
Smith, a former U.S. senator who championed passage of the 2004 Garrett
Lee Smith Memorial Act following the loss of his son to suicide, now
serves as President and CEO of the National Association of
Broadcasters.
In the U.S., suicide claims over 34,000 lives annually - the equivalent
of 94 suicides per day, or one suicide every 15 minutes. State and
local prevention efforts are having a positive impact as rates of
suicide have been falling among teenaged and elder males, two of the
hardest hit groups. Suicides are increasing among other groups,
however, such as AI/AN youth and military members.
Studies from organizations such as the Suicide Prevention Resource
Center report thatlesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are from 1.5 to seven
times more likely to report having attempted suicide than their non-LGBT
peers, while transgender youth are believed to have higher rates of
suicidal behavior as well. Co-leading the LGBT Youth Task Force are
Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Office of Safe and Drug-Free
Schools, U.S. Department of Education, and Charles Robbins, Executive
Director of The Trevor Project, the leading national organization
focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBT youth.
*This task force will bring together the best minds in the country to
combat suicide and make sure that every LGBT youth has the opportunity
to grow up in a supportive, accepting community and to enter adulthood
safely,* Robbins said.
For AI/AN youth and young adults ages 10-34, suicide is the second
leading cause of death and is on the rise. Jointly leading the American
Indian and Alaska Natives Task Force are Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of the Indian Health Service; Larry Echo Hawk, J.D., Assistant
Secretary of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and McClellan
Hall, M.A., Executive Director, National Indian Youth Leadership
Project.
*As our new task forces begin their important work to end the rising
number of suicides in some segments of American society, I believe we
can make a significant difference,* said Roubideaux. *For American
Indian and Alaska Native communities, this assistance is especially
needed.*
Leading the Military and Veterans Task Forceare Dr. Jan Kemp, National
Director, Suicide Prevention Program for the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) and Ms. Maggie Haynes, Director of Combat Stress for the
Wounded Warrior project. Research indicates that there are increased
suicide rates among veterans, and suicide ra
tes among service members
recently reached historic highs within the Army and Marine Corps.
*Combined with initiatives already underway by the Department of
Defense and the VA, this task force will further strengthen prevention,
bringing together the best minds in the public and private sectors,*
said Secretary of the Army John McHugh, co-chair of the Action Alliance.
*This collaboration will form an important foundation for the nation*s
suicide prevention efforts.*
Three weeks ago, the Action Alliance rolled out its first three task
forces: Data and Surveillance, Research, and National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention (NSSP). The respective task forces are beginning the
work of identifying and developing systems and strategies to improve
data collection and surveillance of suicidal behaviors, prioritizing
research on suicide prevention, and updating the NSSP.
In the coming months, the Action Alliance will determine how to address
suicide risk in other populations where data show evidence of increasing
or high rates of suicides or suicide attempts. Other high-risk groups
include Latina youths, older adults, individuals with disabilities,
survivors of suicide attempts and of suicide loss, and working-aged men
and women.
All task forces will include leading experts in the field, including
researchers and scientists, advocates, family members, and others who
are concerned and knowledgeable about preventing suicides. The
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency
within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide
support and technical expertise for the task forces and the Action
Alliance, in cooperation with the private sector and other federal
support.
About The Action Alliance
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private
partnership, provides an operating structure to catalyze planning,
execution and accountability for advancing the National Strategy for
Suicide Prevention (NSSP). From this alliance will grow advancements
for practitioners, policymakers, service providers, communities,
families, agencies, and other partners that play a vital role in
reducing suicides in America.
Creating the Action Alliance was a key recommendation of the NSSP,
issued in 2001. The Action Alliance was launched by HHS Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on September
10, 2010, with input and support of many public and private sector
stakeholders, including the National Council for Suicide Prevention and
the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information, see
http://www.actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org.
###
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****************************************************************************
Donna G. Noonan, MPH, CHES
Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Injury Prevention & Epidemiology Program
Oregon Public Health Division
800 NE Oregon, Ste 772
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-673-1023
Fax 971-673-0990
donna.noonan at state.or.us
http://oregon.gov/dhs/ph/ipe/ysp/index.shtml
Join YSPNetwork, Youth Suicide Prevention listserv for the Pacific
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