11 August 2021
2021 September Suicide Prevention Campaign
We’re excited to partner with Regional Suicide Prevention Coalitions across the state on our first multi-group suicide prevention campaign for this September’s Suicide Prevention Awareness month with a Day of Hope on Sept. 9th, 2021. Your coalition or organization are invited to hold your own signs event and we have the attached media packet to help you prepare for the event and provide ideas for how you can participate in a way that works best for you, your coalition, your organization, and your community.
Stay tuned for more information on what Coalitions will be involved, how you can participate, and photos from the different events.
Do you want to purchase your own signs? Please visit Don’t Give Up Signs for more information on their group, history, and how to order signs and other great materials.
19 May 2021
Healthy Transitions Podcast Update
Healthy Transitions has a Podcast on Spotify that was created for sharing the experiences of youth and young adults in Oregon who advocate for a better mental health system for themselves and their peers. You can listen to the current two episodes wherever you get your Podcasts and can also be found on Spotify by going here. They currently have two episodes up and have two more in the works. If you want to learn more about this project and how you can get involved, please contact Elliott Hinkle with Healthy Transitions at ehinkle@pdx.edu.
Episode 4: Shane Talks about Meditation and Coping
Episode 3: Nicholas’s Story
Episode 2: Wellness and Coping Mechanisms
Episode 1: Sam Shares for Suicide Prevention Month
7 May 2021
YSIPP 2020 Annual Report
“In 2019, the rate of youth suicide in Oregon decreased from the prior year for the first time since 2015. OHA projects the rate of youth suicide will decrease again in 2020, based on preliminary data. This is the first two-year decrease in youth suicide since 2008-2010. While this is encouraging news, Oregon’s suicide rate continues to be well above the national average, despite brave and relentless work by many involved in suicide prevention. The ripples of a youth suicide death are far-reaching and take years to heal. In 2019, there were 116 reported youth suicide deaths, making suicide the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 in Oregon.” Go here to see the all annual reports including the 2020 Report.
29 April 2021
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Announcement from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP):
“This May for Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sending the message that no one’s mental health is fully supported until everyone’s mental health is fully supported. That’s why for our #MentalHealth4All campaign, we’re encouraging everyone to get involved by taking one simple action to encourage their friends, family, and community to take their own and others’ mental health seriously.
Your one #MentalHealth4All action could be as simple as reaching out to someone in your life to see how they’re doing; starting a conversation with someone close to you about a topic you have difficult feelings about; or letting your group of friends know you’re comfortable talking to them about anything they’re going through. You can support #MentalHealth4All by advocating for legislation that addresses the disparity in mental healthcare access for underrepresented communities; joining a walk; bringing suicide prevention education, research or support programs to your school or workplace to ensure that more people around you know that mental health is a vital part of everyone’s life; or spreading the word about your local AFSP chapter to ensure that every member of your community has the support they and their loved ones need during a difficult time.
Everyone has different experiences with their own mental health, and their own preferred methods of care and support. It’s important that we all remain open and ready to listen to others’ points of view and perspectives, especially during this challenging time in our history. We all have mental health, and by taking one simple action, we can each help influence massive collective change to support #MentalHealth4All.”
4 March 2021
AFSP and Alliance Capitol Days Success
Last month, AFSP held their 3rd Annual Capitol Days. Due to COVID, this event was held virtually and reached 107 people during the live event. Volunteers were able to meet with 10 legislators to discuss AFSP policy priorities that can be found here.
19 February 2021
AFSP and Alliance Capitol Days Partnership
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds an annual Capitol Days event where volunteers come together to advocate for state policy changes that will improve mental health and prevent suicide. Interested advocates will have the opportunity to schedule video or phone calls with our state legislators the week of the event to:
-Share with them why suicide prevention is important to YOU and to your community
-Educate them about the work being done in your community to prevent suicide
-Teach them what more must be done to prevent suicide
Capitol Days will take place on Monday, February 15th from 9am-10:15am via Zoom. The event includes a brief training session on the basics of advocating for suicide prevention and current policy issues impacting our state.
18 February 2021
Oregon Health Authority February ESSENCE Report
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is now issuing quarterly reports on real-time suicide related data. Please go here to see reports that have been released so far.
11 February 2021
Lines for Life Crisis Line for Racial Equity Support
The following description was taken from the Lines for Life website.
Lines for Life started a Racial Equity Support Lines as a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.
Many of us experience racism every day.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.
Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.
Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.
We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.
The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.
Call us today at 503-575-3764.
This line is available weekdays from 10am to 7pm, Pacific Standard Time. David Jones is our coordinator on the Racial Equity Support Line and he can be reached at DavidJ@linesforlife.org
11 February 2021
Healthy Transitions has a Podcast that was created for sharing the experiences of youth and young adults in Oregon who advocate for a better mental health system for themselves and their peers. You can listen to the current two episodes wherever you get your Podcasts and can also be found on Spotify by going here.
4 February 2021
SB 52, Adi’s Act, Guidance for Schools
To find a draft SB52 Guidance to assist school districts in developing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention plans from The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA), go here. The Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide and additional stakeholders provided input into these guidelines. Under each section of the Draft Guidance, there is information to help districts understand SB 52 requirements, as well as recommendations and resources to assist with the writing of each component of the plan.
2 January 2021
Alliance Committees, Advisory Groups, Workgroup
If you are interested in joining an Alliance committee, advisory group, or workgroup, here are the current projects and when they meet. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, email Jenn at jfraga@aocmhp.org