FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2003 --
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council releases draft Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan for public comment
Plan & new web site offer concrete goals & strategies for preventing suicide in Alaska.
Printer Friendly Copy (PDF. 35k)
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council today released the Draft Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan. The Plan provides general information about suicide in Alaska, 11 suicide prevention goals and strategies, concrete ideas for any individuals or groups interested in becoming involved in suicide prevention, and a feedback form. The public is invited to comment on the Draft Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan from now until June 30, 2003.
“This Plan emphasizes that suicide is preventable and that, by working together, we can decrease the rate of suicide in Alaska,” DHSS Commissioner Joel Gilbertson said.
“Suicide is a complex problem with many contributing factors,” Merry Carlson, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council Coordinator said. “It directly or indirectly affects everyone in Alaska. Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention.”
Carlson emphasized that suicide is “not just a mental health issue”, and the Plan offers ways all segments of the population can get actively involved. “The Plan stresses local and regional solutions and strategies, with strong support and additional resources at the state and federal level.”
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council developed the Draft Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan using input gathered from Alaskans statewide, provider organizations, existing Alaska plans such as In-Step and Healthy Alaskans 2010, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and plans from other states. Council members held quarterly meetings and listening sessions in rural and urban locations across the state to gather local and regional information, concerns, and ideas from the general public, professional agencies and providers.
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council’s Mission
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council works to
• Improve health and wellness throughout the state by reducing
suicide and its effects on Alaskans;
•
Broaden public awareness of suicide and suicide prevention;
•
Enhance Alaska suicide prevention services;
•
Develop healthy community collaborations within and between communities;
•
Strengthen partnerships between public, private, and faith-based
entities to advance statewide suicide prevention.
Funded by the State of Alaska, the Council consists of 15 Council members, including legislators, providers, public, clergy and others. Current members include: Noelle Hardt, Rep. Mary Kapsner, AFN President Julie Kitka, Rep. Pete Kott, Sen. Georgianna Lincoln, Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Karen Perdue, Susan Soule, Carol Seppilu, Jeanine Sparks, and Sen. Ben Stevens.
New web site offers suicide prevention info and strategies
The Council also unveiled its new website, www.hss.state.ak.us/suicideprevention, which complements key elements of the Draft Plan. The website provides all Alaskans with a central resource on Alaska suicide data, resources, and information. It also provides links to national organizations and resources, as well as links to related resources such as information on depression. Users can also access the Plan, as well as the Council’s Annual Reports. Annual reports provide useful information about suicide in Alaska, along with recommendations on suicide prevention.
Public comment until June 30, 2003
The public is invited to comment on the Draft Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan from now until June 30, 2003. This input will help the Council develop approaches to prevent suicide that work in Alaska. Copies of the Plan are available from the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council at (907) 269-4615, PO Box 240249, Anchorage, AK 99516. Individuals can also provide on-line feedback at the website or by emailing comments to suicideprevention@health.state.ak.us.
Other Online information
-
Email feedback on the Draft Plan to: suicideprevention@health.state.ak.us
For additional information, please contact
Merry Carlson, Suicide Prevention Council Coordinator,
(907) 269-4615
--30--
For more information, please contact
Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611Or
Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611
Follow Alaska_DHSS on Twitter
Connect with us on Facebook