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Coordinated Approach Needed for Suicide Prevention in WestchesterBarbara Bernstein, PhD, MHA Director of Education and Training Published in The Journal News, Community Views, May 10, 2008 Recent events highlight the power of a single compassionate and caring person to save a life. These same events shine a light on the serious and all-too-frequent problem of suicide. The current debate about suicide prevention measures on the Tappan Zee Bridge provides an opportunity to examine the multiple components of a comprehensive and effective approach to suicide prevention. Suicide Prevention Requires Coordinated, Comprehensive ApproachNo one component functions on its own to prevent suicide. Rather, a coordinated and comprehensive approach is required. Components of a multi-faceted approach include: raising public awareness of the problem of suicide; improving access to appropriate services and supports for all; reducing the stigma and other obstacles that prevent help-seeking; improving training of professionals to assist individuals at risk of suicide, and teaching community members, who are likely the first people to encounter someone at risk, to provide suicide “first aid.” Suicide is a serious problem. In the United States, an individual dies by suicide approximately every 16 minutes. The problem of suicide permeates all age groups, cultures, backgrounds, and professions. Some groups are at particular risk. Suicide is the third most common cause of death among our youth between the ages of 15 and 24. Alarming numbers of high school-aged students think about suicide – almost 17% of those in grades 9 through 12. The oldest male members of our community are at greater risk than people in any other group. To truly recognize the frequency of suicide, we must also take note of the number of “accidental” deaths that are in fact due to suicide and the number of life-threatening events that do not result in suicide. Each completed suicide affects many: It is estimated that for each person who dies by suicide, six friends or family members are significantly impacted. Basic Tenets of ASIST
These are the basic tenets of a program, Applied Suicide Intervention and Skills Training (ASIST) that is designed to teach all members of a community:
ASIST Developed for Community GatekeepersASIST was developed for all community “gatekeepers” - neighbors, mail carriers, hairdressers, bartenders, friends, family, clergy, medical care providers - all of us who might come into contact with persons at risk of suicide. The Mental Health Association of Westchester, with community partners, is working to make ASIST widely available in Westchester. The Mental Health Association of Westchester has also taken the lead locally to raise awareness and provide training. In the past two years we have offered three significant conferences – for the general public, specialized training for professionals, and training for the public at large. Our partners have included community agencies, hospitals, and County government. We continue to work vigorously toward greater public awareness and to providing needed training. To learn more about suicide and its prevention, we suggest that you visit the following: MHA: http://www.mhawestchester.org Barbara Bernstein, PhD
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