Paul Vittles’ Post

With gratitude to the more than 2,000 individuals who provided input, the hundreds who shared their wisdom and lived experience through a series of listening sessions, the leaders from more than 20 federal agencies and the federal leadership team who worked tirelessly over the last year led by Brandon J. Johnson, MHS, MCHES and Deborah Stone, ScD, MSW, MPH, and amazing colleagues from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and EDC (Education Development Center) - we have a new National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to guide our efforts over the next decade. More thoughts and pictures to come as I reflect on the moment and celebrate the progress, but in short, with so much on the line and so much to accomplish to truly address suicide in our nation, it's time to get to work. “This National Strategy offers a renewed focus and clear commitment to reducing suicide in the United States. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention is committed to leveraging its role as the nation’s public-private partnership for suicide prevention to activate its diverse network of public and private sector leaders to implement this National Strategy,” said Colleen Carr, MPH, Director of the Action Alliance. “There is both an urgent need and unique opportunity to make significant and measurable progress around suicide prevention in the U.S., and doing so will require collaboration, coordination, and a shared commitment by federal agencies and private sector organizations.” https://lnkd.in/eyE2CErC Shelby Rowe Sarah Brummett Theresa M. Brittany Carradine Clemoens Susie [수지] Reynolds Reece Sommer Albert, MSW Shawna Hite-Jones Michelle Majeres Jerry Reed, Ph.D, MSW Shari Kessel Schneider Dana Careless Craig Kramer Carolyn Clancy DeQuincy Meiffren-Lezine Victor Armstrong, MSW

This strategy is key in moving forward & succeeding in #suicideprevention

I just read the DOD annual report on military suicide. The report provides annual data on suicide counts and rates among Service members and their dependents. Read that again, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. "In CY 2023, 523 Service members died by suicide, which is more than the previous year (493)." That's a 9 percent increase. "Active Component suicide rates have gradually increased since 2011. The 2023 Active Component rate is higher (12 percent) than 2022." Take note that the report doesn't include what the number of deaths were in 2011 (217 per the 2011 DOD Suicide Event Report https://lnkd.in/gFrEVaum) to provide a real picture of the significance of a "gradual increase." Total Active Component suicide desths in 2022 (most recent full year numbers I could find) was 332 (per the Department of Defense (DoD) Quarterly Suicide Report (QSR) 1st Quarter, CY 2023 https://lnkd.in/gmVdearc). The DOD says these increases are "not statistically significant." 332 (2022) x 12% = 372 (332 + 39.84 rounded up) That's 25% of total increase (155) since 2011 (372-217=155). These are people, and their deaths ARE significant. These are families forever impacted and whose lives will never be the same. Despite the federal government spending millions of tax payer $$ on antiquated approaches/programs, which typically involves Healthcare providers, poorly educated/trained in the risks involved (by design by big pharma), over prescibing and improperly de-prescribing psychotropic drugs. These protocols result in the VA contributing to & facilitating the increase in addiction, and ultimately the increasing suicide rate. The only people "benefitting" from throwing excessive pharmaceuticals at the problem are the manufacturers & their investors. In the 2022 report, it states to address the increasing rates a campaign focusing on, "3 key areas – fostering a supportive environment and quality of life, addressing stigma as a barrier to help-seeking, and promoting a culture of lethal means safety." In the current report, it reflects a suicide prevention campaign plan "across five lines of effort: fostering a supportive environment, improving the delivery of mental health care, addressing stigma and other barriers to care, revising suicide prevention training, and promoting a culture of lethal means safety." So, effectively they plan two additional elements, "improving the delivery of mental health care", and, "revising suicide prevention training." The plan doesn't seem to be addressing the root cause(s). What's that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing and expecting different results? Unless and until real changes are made in alternative approaches and protocols that facilitate addressing the root causes(s), it's unlikely we will see reductions in these numbers. And THAT my friends IS significant. https://lnkd.in/gygxvG4S

29 days to go, until one of the most inspiring and forward thinking suicide prevention conferences of 2024. Would your organisation, workplace or perhaps people in your network like to collaborate and have your own table at the #ZeroSuicideSociety #JoinTheDots launch conference on June 12th, at the iconic Baths Hall in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire at a huge saving compared with purchasing individual tickets? 👉See the attached flyer for details and then email hello@theJordanlegacy.com. This event, brought to you by Towards Zero Suicide CIC in collaborative partnership by The Jordan Legacy CIC, is designed to showcase aspects of the 'ground-breaking' report we published in July 2023; "Moving Towards a Zero Suicide Society", which maps out how we get the numbers of suicides on a downward trend, towards Zero and the practical actions required to get there. In April this year, the Office for National Statistics published its latest suicide statistics for the period from 2022-23, which showed an average increase in suicides in England of 6%. That includes an 8% increase in female suicides, 5% in males, in fact an average increase in people taking their own lives across virtually every gender age group! On June 12th, if you work in healthcare, or you lead a team in your workplace, maybe you run a community organisation or you're responsible for educating young people, perhaps your a worried parent or you're involved in suicide prevention in some way, this event will provide you with an understanding of just how big a problem we face as a society and why we can no longer continue to lose 6000+ men, women and children to one of the most preventable deaths in the UK. We know that anyone can be impacted by suicide and yet everyone can play a part in reducing the numbers. When I lost my son, Jordan, to suicide in December 2019, I vowed that I would do whatever I could to prevent the same happening to any other family. But we need an army of educated and activated people, who are willing and able to collaborate - together, we know we can move closer to a 'Zero Suicide Society', one that is willing and able to do all it can to prevent all preventable suicides. Here's what I would recommend if you care enough and want to make a difference: ✅Check out the amazing conference line up on the website here: https://lnkd.in/ew6YZavx ✅Decide if attending is important to you and whether anyone else would like to attend the event with you? ✅Book your ticket(s) at just £120 each, via the links provided on the website or contact hello@thejordanlegacy.com if you would like to reserve a table of between 5-9 people and potentially save up to 55% on individual ticket prices. ✅Please let others know in your network that this event is happening. During the 40 seconds that it's taken you to read this post, someone somewhere in the world has just taken their own life. Together, we can change this. #suicideprevention

#ProjectSoulStride week 12 update. 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝟏: 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 I'm delighted to share that I'm nearing the end of phase 1 of my project, which has involved conducting 45 insightful interviews. The wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and content gathered thus far has been truly remarkable. One of the key takeaways from these interviews is the importance of forming 'multi-agency suicide prevention steering groups'. Most areas across the country have already established or are in the process of establishing these partnerships, bringing together public health, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), primary and secondary care, the voluntary sector, the criminal justice system, and those directly affected by suicide. These cohesive groups play a crucial role in shaping local suicide prevention strategies. I strongly believe that creating a national registry of these plans would be incredibly beneficial. 💡 The collaborative efforts of these steering groups, coupled with the implementation of Real-time Suicide Surveillance (RTSS), paint a promising picture for suicide prevention. The RTSS system, developed by the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Centre for Suicide Research at the University of Manchester in collaboration with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England (NSSP), is a unique tool that allows for real-time monitoring of suicide deaths and attempted suicides in England. By collecting data from a variety of sources, including the police, ambulance services, and hospitals, it generates timely and accurate reports on suicide trends and patterns. While Thrive LDN, a London-based mental health charity, was not the originator of the RTSS, their role in implementing and utilizing the system since its inception has been significant. Their close collaboration with the NIHR Centre for Suicide Research has contributed to the system's refinement and promotion across the UK. The RTSS's impact extends beyond England, with its adoption in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and select states in the USA (California, New York, and Washington). As we move forward, the insights gained from phase 1 will guide the next phase of this project, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of suicide prevention strategies and their impact. Helpful links:- 🎯 1. https://lnkd.in/emqf95bW Thames Valley Real-Time Suicide Surveillance System 🎯 2. https://lnkd.in/epHbhBXQ Evaluation of a System for Real-Time Surveillance of Suicide in England #suicideprevention #healthinequalities #blackmentalhealth #citizenscience https://lnkd.in/dbh84yE5

Hey everyone, I want to start off by saying this isn't about politics. Mental health is a human issue, not a political one. With that said, let's talk about something important. The White House has recently updated its National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and it's about time. Suicide is a growing public health crisis, and this overhaul couldn't have come soon enough. The 2024 National Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan with 200 actionable items set to be implemented over the next three years. It covers everything from substance abuse to supporting underserved communities. One key part of this strategy is the 988 suicide crisis hotline, which has already fielded millions of calls, texts, and chats. Now, let's be real. The rollout of 988 hasn't been flawless – far from it. But, we need to talk about it openly if we're going to make it work. We can't just sweep the challenges under the rug. Transparency is key to progress. The new policy has five pillars: 1. Improving Lethal Means Safety: Making sure people in crisis don't have immediate access to things like firearms. 2. Enhancing Crisis Care and Facilitating Care Transitions: Ensuring high-quality care for those at risk of suicide. 3. Increasing Access to and Delivery of Effective Care: Making evidence-based mental health care more accessible. 4. Addressing Upstream Risk and Protective Factors: Tackling issues like financial strain and housing insecurity. 5. Increasing Research Coordination, Data Sharing, and Evaluation Efforts: Better data and research are crucial for understanding and preventing suicide. Now, I'll be honest. I'm always skeptical of government programs. They often seem more about politics than actually helping people. But, they can play a crucial role in securing funding and resources for much-needed programs. Ultimately, the White House's renewed focus on suicide prevention is a step in the right direction. By breaking down barriers and expanding access to support, we can create a future where no one suffers in silence. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK], or you can text TALK to 741-741 for free, confidential support. Together, we can make a difference. #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #depression #mentalhealthmatters #anxiety #suicide #suicideawarness #ptsd #suicideawareness #depressionawareness #depressionhelp #mentalhealthadvocate #endthestigma #mentalhealthsupport #suicidepreventionmonth #selflove #recovery #youarenotalone #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalwellness #anxietyawareness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth The American Association of Suicidology Suicide Prevention Initiative and Depression Research Foundation Clarigent Health #stopsuicide American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation https://lnkd.in/g8Ui2yaA

A new 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and accompanying Federal Action Plan has been announced by the Biden Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action-Alliance), led the development of these critical deliverables which support the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities to address the overdose and #mentalhealth crises, key pillars of the Biden-Harris Unity Agenda. An Interagency Work Group (IWG), comprised of over 20 agencies in 10 federal departments across the government contributed to the development of the National Strategy. Suicide is an urgent and growing public health crisis. More than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. That’s one death every 11 minutes. Addressing this crisis requires a bold new strategy, and the first-ever Federal Action Plan to put the strategy into action and drive results. The National Strategy is a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to suicide prevention. The National Strategy outlines concrete recommendations for addressing gaps and meeting the needs of at-risk populations. It is accompanied by the first-ever Federal Action Plan, which identifies 200 discrete actions to be initiated and evaluated over the next three years. Actions include, for example, identifying ways to address substance use and suicide risk together in the clinical setting, funding a mobile crisis locator for use by 988 crisis centers, increasing support for survivors of suicide loss and others whose lives have been impacted by suicide, and evaluating promising community-based suicide prevention strategies. Each of these actions will be monitored and evaluated regularly to determine progress and success, and to further identify barriers to successful suicide prevention. Read more here https://lnkd.in/gzi3yTB6

Towards Zero Suicide CIC was set up to be 100% dedicated to the #TransformationalChange challenge of getting the (UK) #suicide numbers on a downward trend #TowardsZeroSuicide... ...by working with collaborative partners who share the same vision and values - where we're trying to get to, what we want to achieve, the best way to fulfil the vision, the 'right' way to deliver it - and, very importantly, collaborative partners who share the same high level of ambition. We want to create and sustain a #ZeroSuicideSociety "that is willing and able to do all it can to prevent all preventable suicides". "To prevent all preventable suicides" has to be the ambition! How can we settle for anything less?! And it has to be a whole-of-society approach to be able to achieve our shared, ambitious goal. Although suicide discriminates in that some groups in society, and some areas of the country, have significantly higher suicide rates than others... 1) Anyone can be affected by suicide and 2) Everyone can help prevent suicides - you, your family & friends, your community, your colleagues; your councillors, your MP; already active #SuicidePrevention advocates & campaigners; and people who are not currently active in trying to prevent suicides but could be. You can become active yourself and you can help activate others. You can educate yourself and help educate others. Only 6% of the UK population has ever done any suicide prevention #training! If you haven't, you can, inc the free, 20 mins, online Zero Suicide Alliance #SuicideAwareness course And you can promote it to others. As Towards Zero Suicide CIC Founder Paul Vittles highlights in this review of the past 16 months - from July 2023, when a petition to parliament was launched for the measures needed to get the suicide numbers down, to Nov 2024 - there are many people & organisations committed to this cause and active, every day, in trying to get the suicide numbers down... ...as Paul calls them, those who work 'in the #SuicideReduction business (not just suicide prevention)'... and, sadly, there are also people, organisations & institutions, inc Govt with a large G & govt with a small g - even some of those people & organisations claiming to be trying to help - actually creating barriers to change. Even though it's largely unintended consequences of their actions, or the inevitable consequences of their inaction, the adverse impact is the same - it prevents us from getting the suicide numbers on a downward trend, towards zero suicide. Please read Paul's review, give us your thoughts, give us your ideas on how you think we can make breakthroughs in getting the suicide numbers down... ...and please get in touch (via Paul) if you share the same values, vision & ambition, and you think you can help create a Zero Suicide Society and get these numbers down. https://lnkd.in/eVnWCmBY

The Walsall Council Multi-Agency Suicide Prevention Strategy for 2024-2029 represents a significant commitment by local authorities and partner organisations to address the critical issue of suicide in the community. Building on the foundations of the previous strategy, this updated plan aims to incorporate learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the insights gained from the 2022 Walsall Suicide Prevention Audit. Key elements of the strategy include: 1. **Collaborative Approach**: Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including the Council, NHS, housing partners, DWP, educational institutions, police, and voluntary and community sector organizations. 2. **Community Engagement**: The strategy was developed following an engagement event with around 80 individuals from over 60 organisations, ensuring a broad representation of community interests and perspectives. 3. **Training and Education**: A focus on providing mental health and suicide prevention training to all residents of Walsall, with sessions available online or in person at community venues. 4. **Support Services**: Emphasising the availability of support services such as the Black Country 24/7 Urgent Mental Health Helpline and the Black Country Support After Suicide Service. 5. **Targeted Interventions**: Identifying and supporting individuals at higher risk of suicide, including men, people who are neurodivergent, and those affected by domestic abuse. 6. **Awareness and Prevention**: The strategy aims to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, promoting early intervention and improving data and intelligence on the subject. The strategy underscores the importance of community involvement and the role of each organisation and individual in contributing to suicide prevention efforts. It is a comprehensive plan that seeks to provide hope, support, and recovery for those experiencing mental distress, with the ultimate goal of reducing self-harm and preventing deaths by suicide in Walsall.

On the eve of Suicide Prevention Day, we mourn the loss of another courageous member of the Western Australian Police. Individuals, communities, organizations, and government entities must work together to reshape the conversation surrounding suicide. By addressing this issue collaboratively across various sectors, we can foster a more supportive and compassionate society where suicide becomes preventable, and every individual feels valued and understood. The suicide rates among police officers in Australia have alarmingly increased, with figures rising from 5.9 deaths per 100,000 serving officers in the year 2000 to 14 per 100,000 in 2022. Unfortunately, the leading cause of death for police officers in Australia remains suicide, often referred to as "the black dog." As a First Responder advocate, I, along with my peers, am calling for more open discussions regarding the mental health challenges faced by those in policing. Over the past decade, the suicide rate among Australian police officers has more than doubled. The theme for World Suicide Prevention Day, "Changing the Narrative on Suicide," encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open and honest dialogues about suicide and suicidal behaviour. By fostering these essential conversations, we can dismantle barriers, raise awareness, and cultivate a culture of understanding and support. Unfortunately, many still resort to harmful and outdated phrases like "committed suicide" or "please don’t do anything stupid," which hinder societal progress in reducing stigma. The language we use is significant, and workplaces play a vital role in normalizing discussions surrounding suicide and educating people on how to approach these conversations. Each year, we take this time to remember those we have lost to suicide. We honour their memory, grieve their absence, and celebrate the joy they brought into our lives and the world. Their loss is felt deeply, and we must reflect on our past efforts to save lives and consider what more we can do to improve and protect others. I encourage you to reach out to your colleagues, friends, family members, or even acquaintances, and ask how they are doing. Inquire about their feelings and needs. If you suspect someone may be contemplating suicide, don’t hesitate to ask, "Are you thinking about suicide?" develop your knowledge to navigate these conversations. You don’t need to have all the answers; sometimes, just being there and listening is enough. If they require assistance beyond your capacity, help them connect with a mental health professional. Promoting effective communication and building strong connections with the people in our lives is essential if we are to work together to save the lives of the ones we love. #suicideprevention #mentalhealthawareness #redsix #reducethestigma #livedexperience #firstresponders #police #fire #ambulance #emergencyservices #indigenoussuicideprevention #community #australia #WSPD24