Umatter -- Suicide Prevention in New England!

I’m writing to tell you about how on Feb. 13th, the Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition (VT SPC), facilitated by the Center for Health and Learning (CHL), showed up in force at the Vermont State House to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

The Vermont State Legislature designated February 13th, 2018, as Suicide Prevention Awareness Day at the State House.  

In a state where on average, two Vermonters a week die by suicide, this was a tremendous success in getting recognition that suicide is a public health issue and that suicide is preventable.   

Legislators received a red Carnation as they walked into the House Chamber, representing one Vermonter who died by suicide this past year.

In addition to CHL, these organizations participated and/or provided testimony: 

• Vermont 211
• VT Dept of Mental Health
• VT Dept of Health
• VT Dept of Corrections
• Support and Services at Home (SASH)
• NAMI-VT
• Lamoille Cty Mental Health Services
• UVM Medical Center
• Northeast Counseling and Support Services
• Veterans Administration
• American Foundation of Suicide Prevention-VT Chapter
• And many individual survivors of suicide attempts and family loss.  

VT SPC Coalition representatives provided testimony to the Senate Transportation Committee on Quechee Bridge mitigation, and to the House Committee on Health Care and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to educate them about the ways that the health care system can create a suicide safer pathway to care. 

CHL would like to give a big shout out to Representative Martin Lalonde, who sponsored the Resolution and presented the VT SPC in the House Chamber and to the many Representatives and Senators who showed concern and support. 

By doing this, CHL continues to reinforce the message that health care systems need to integrate best practices for suicide safe care and to remove shame and guilt from talking about suicide. 

Suicide prevention is everyone's business.