Community and organizational leaders in the eight counties comprising Northern Kentucky have launched the Regional Suicide Response Team, an effort whose goal is for there to be zero suicides in Northern Kentucky. The Team will design a more coordinated system in which people at risk are identified earlier, connected to appropriate treatment and supported through their most vulnerable periods.
Funding for the effort was secured by NorthKey Community Care through a Zero Suicide Grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant will fund a full-time position dedicated to the effort. NorthKey, in its role as the region’s state-designated Community Mental Health Center, will serve as convener.
The Team’s comprehensive approach to suicide – modeling the State of Kentucky’s framework – centers on four areas. Prevention efforts will focus on reducing stigma and providing education and training on how to discuss suicide and mental health issues. Intervention efforts will provide support for individuals in crisis, considering suicide or those who have attempted suicide.
Postvention efforts address the response after a suicide has occurred. And data and surveillance will track progress, identify gaps and keep the community apprised of the Team’s work.
The Team includes representation from dozens of organizations throughout the eight-county region representing veterans, schools, churches, colleges, businesses, healthcare providers and more. Jennifer Miller of NorthKey said the response to the Team’s creation has been overwhelming and will be key to the success of the effort.
“Suicide affects everyone, so I’m not surprised at the response,” said Miller, NorthKey’s Chief of Clinical Services. “There is a lot of great work being done, but we’re stronger together. That’s the whole point of this effort.”
Next steps include hiring the Team’s full-time director, organizing work groups and continuing outreach to stakeholders.
“This is not a one-and-done effort,” said Miller. “We’ll be here until we reach our goal of zero suicides in Northern Kentucky.”
Anyone interested in joining the Regional Suicide Response Team is encouraged to contact Jennifer Miller at jmiller@northkey.org.
NorthKey Community Care