California State Conference

The plan that will be created will follow the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, sponsored by Dr. David Satcher, the 16th U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Satcher was the first Surgeon General to take action against the enormous national tragedy of suicide and he will be keynote speaker at the conference.

The conference is both ambitious and historic, in that our state.s size, population and diversity present numerous challenges. There is widespread support, including Dr. Stephen Mayberg, Director of California.s Department of Mental Health, as well as dozens of organizations such as the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, the California Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

In the Surgeon General's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, 11 key goals were outlined as the basis for each state to take and draft its own customized plan. California is now stepping up to that challenge at this conference. Each goal will be addressed in groups and specific activities defined in support of that goal, as appropriate in California. State Resolutions passed last year (SR18 and HR30) called for state and local public and private organizations to cooperate in developing a state plan for suicide prevention. SPAN-California is heading this effort.

Advanced registration is $125 if received prior to April 1 and $150 prior to May 6. Walk-in registration will be $175. This newsletter is your invitation to attend. California needs your ideas on suicide prevention. Register today.

At the heart of the conference, we will address the 11 goals from the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) listed at right, in five separate breakout groups. Participants will be divided into groups and a skilled facilitator will lead the group through the process of identifying specific strategies for implementing that goal in California.

If participants have a particular skill or interest in a certain area they may request to join that group. Participants will only work with one group at the conference. Those unable to attend and those who want to offer ideas to more than one group, may do so on-line. Check our website at www.span-california.org for further details.

To read the complete National Strategy or to order copies, go to: www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/strategy.asp

From the Surgeon General.s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goal 1: Promote Awareness that Suicide is a Public Health Problem that is Preventable

Goal 2: Develop Broad-based Support for Suicide Prevention

Goal 3: Develop and Implement Strategies to Reduce the Stigma Associated with Being a Consumer of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Prevention Services

Goal 4: Develop and Implement Suicide Prevention Programs

Goal 5: Promote Efforts to Reduce Access to Lethal Means and Methods of Self-Harm

Goal 6: Implement Training For Recognition of At-Risk Behavior and Delivery of Effective Treatment

Goal 7: Develop and Promote Effective Clinical and Professional Practices

Goal 8: Improve Access to and Community Linkages with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Goal 9: Improve Reporting and Portrayals of Suicidal Behavior, Mental Illness, and Substance Abuse in the Entertainment and News Media

Goal 10: Promote and Support Research on Suicide and Suicide Prevention

Goal 11: Improve and Expand Surveillance Systems (collection of data)