About The Committee

As part of the 2020 State of the State, Governor Cuomo directed OMH to increase efforts to combat suicide within these high-risk populations and “convene a panel of stakeholders and experts at its annual Suicide Prevention Conference to develop and implement strategies for preventing suicide among these special populations.” While the COVID pandemic led to the postponement of the 2020 suicide prevention conference, New York State remained committed to bringing leaders from these disciplines together and have met virtually throughout the Fall of 2020.

In the fall of 2020, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Suicide Prevention Center of NY (SPCNY) created a steering committee comprised of veterans, military, law enforcement, corrections officers, and first responders, to help prevent suicide in New York State.

The steering committee convenes around the following activities:

• Sharing experiences/resources and identifying universal themes
• Developing a series of presentations designed to educate the wider community and inform the work of the committee membership
• Outlining identified barriers experienced by these populations and recommending strategies for improving overall wellness, engagement in treatment and services, and suicide prevention efforts

Once the recommendations have been presented to the governor’s office the steering committee has remained committed to continue meeting and coordinating future presentations.

For more information about the initiative contact: Garra Lloyd-Lester (Garra.lloyd-lester@omh.ny.gov)

Webinar Series

December 11, 2020

Suicide Assessment and Interventions Among First Responder Communities: What we Know and What Works with Dr. Drew Anderson

 Overview:

• Suicide in First Responders: The Big Picture
• Suicide Assessments
• Safety Plans and Interventions
• Click here to view the presentation’s Microsoft PowerPoint slides.

Note: The presenter’s connection was temporarily lost at 1:02:06, please fast forward to 1:08:28. 

November 16, 2020

Overview of a Group Training Focused on Suicide & Depression Prevention for Young Air Force Trainees (Wingman-Connect) with Peter A. Wyman, PhD and Bryan Yates

Overview:

• A prevention training to strengthen suicide-protective processes within a work group, including cohesion, shared purpose and healthy coping.
• How this ‘network health’ approach differs from traditional trainings.
• Results showing this training reduced suicidal ideation, depression symptoms and work-related problems.
• Discussion considers how this training might be adapted for other work groups.

October 30, 2020

Helping Those Who Help Others Panel Discussion with John Bourges, Elliot T. Boyce & Steven Kroll

Overview:

• Learn more about this New York State suicide prevention initiative focused on veterans, military, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and corrections officers.
• Panelists representing different uniformed personnel professions discuss the challenges, barriers and resources to address suicide, mental health and wellness within their respective disciplines.

Committee Membership

The Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from the following state and local organizations:

Bought Fire Department

NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)

Delmar-Bethlehem EMS

NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)

NYS Division of Veterans’ Services (DVS)

Fire Department New York (FDNY)

Fort Drum

Lake Plains Community Care Network – EMS

Mental Health Association (MHA) – Putnam County

NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (NYC DVS)

New York Police Department (NYPD)

NY Sheriffs Association

NYS Troopers

NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH)

OMH Central New York Psychiatric Center (CNYPC)

NYS Office of Victim Services (OVS)

Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance

US National Guard