Western Connecticut Coalition Weekly Update

Volume 27 | November 18, 2020

Your Weekly News & Updates

Special Edition on Suicide and Prevention in CT

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Contact Dawn Fawcett - admin@wctcoalition.org

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"We must acknowledge the profound impact this experience has on each of us, be patient with ourselves and others, work to embrace each other, and cultivate our desires and create space for creativity, generativity, and hope. This is the time for community building with equity and learning, bolstered by effective leadership and collective vision of a brighter, hopeful future."

(excerpt from the below Public Health Alert)

CT Public Health Alert and Call to Action for Youth Suicide

The CT Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB), in collaboration with multiple partners, has created a, “CT Public Health Alert and Call to Action for Youth Suicide.”

The CTSAB monitors data related to suicide across the lifespan, and though there was a significant reduction in suicide attempts and deaths across the lifespan here and the US during the spring and summer months (was an expected initial impact of the COVID experience), we are now observing a rebound effect.

Tragically, CT has lost 7 youth to suicide thus far in 2020 with 4 deaths in October alone. Our hope is that the Alert will increase awareness and vigilance to recognize and respond to the existing mental/emotional health needs of youth.

We encourge everyone to take a moment to read the alerts below. A Spanish version is included. Click on the image to open the files and please share.

What the Data is Telling Us

The above graph represents the steady increase in number of deaths by suicide in CT since 2015. Unfortunately we lost 426 people to suicide last year.

This graph displays suicide rates broken down by age and sex. We see that in each age group, more males die by suicide than females.

Data provided by Michael Makowski, Violent Death Reporting System, DPH

Data provided by Celeste Jorge, DPH from the 2019 CT School Health Survey

Statewide Efforts Addressing Suicide Prevention

Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Receives $3.5 Million To Enhance Suicide Prevention Activities

Governor Ned Lamont announced on 10/29/20 that the State of Connecticut has been awarded a five-year grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enhance a range of suicide prevention activities coordinated among several state agencies. The grant, awarded to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), will run through August 31, 2025 and will be a joint effort between DPH, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), and UConn Health.

In a joint statement from the CT Congretional delegation “This grant will help those who are in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress receive appropriate services. As a delegation, we will continue to fight to ensure Connecticut agencies are provided with the financial assistance to help those in need throughout this pandemic.”

DMHAS Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., said, “This grant award and our new Suicide Prevention Plan will provide Connecticut with additional tools to prevent suicide in our state. It is critical that we extend additional supports to those impacted by suicide or suicide attempts. Our goal should be to link people to treatment, increasing the likelihood of recovery.”

Complete Press Release

CT Suicide Advisory Board

The CTSAB is tri-chaired by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families, and CT Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and is the single state-level advisory board in Connecticut that addresses suicide prevention, intervention and response across the lifespan.

Mission: The CTSAB is a network of diverse advocates, educators and leaders concerned with addressing the problem of suicide with a focus on prevention, intervention, and health and wellness promotion.

Vision: The CTSAB seeks to eliminate suicide by instilling hope across the lifespan.

Learn more and sign up for their list serve.

CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020-2025

What is the plan?

The Connecticut State Suicide Prevention Plan 2025 (PLAN 2025) is a living, working document, designed to frame, organize, prioritize, and direct established and emerging suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention response efforts throughout the state through 2025.

The goals, objectives, example strategies, and commitments for implementation and monitoring laid out in PLAN 2025 follow the continuum of care model laid out by the Institute of Medicine.

What are the goals?

In order to continue the progress and momentum associated with these goals, PLAN 2025 continues to focus on the goals and objectives established for PLAN 2020.

GOAL 1: Integrate and coordinate suicide prevention activities across multiple sectors and settings.

GOAL 2: Develop, implement, and monitor effective programs that promote wellness and prevent suicide and related behaviors.

GOAL 3: Promote suicide prevention as a core component of healthcare services.

GOAL 4: Reduce access to lethal means of suicide among individuals with identified suicide risk.

GOAL 5: Increase the timeliness and usefulness of state and national surveillance systems relevant to suicide postvention and improve the ability to collect, analyze, and use this information for action.

What else is in the plan?

Demographic Groups and Suicide Risk
Glossary
Examples of Risk and Protective Factors in a Social Ecological Model
Suicide Prevention Resources
Education and Training Options

Access the full plan here.

What You Can Do

We can all play a part in suicide prevention.

Are you concerned someone else might be at risk of suicide?

This person is fortunate you are paying attention. Here are four easy steps you can take to help:

1. Show you care. This looks different depending on who you are and your relationship, but let the person know you have noticed something has changed and that their well-being matters to you. If appropriate, let them tell you how they are feeling and why.

2. Ask the question. Make sure you both understand whether this problem is about suicide. “Are you thinking about suicide?”

3. Make the environment safer. Help the person remove dangerous objects and substances from the places they live and spend time.

4. Get help. This person may know who they want to talk to (a therapist, their guardian, their partner). You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-273- 8255 for advice about how to help your loved one and how to get support yourself.

Don’t feel like talking on the phone? Try Lifeline Crisis Chat (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat) or the Crisis Text Line by texting CT to 741-741.

Gizmo Helps Youth Commit to Taking Care of their Mental Health Every Day

Talking About Feelings with Youth- Conversation Starters

With the COVID-19 pandemic children and youth may show stress through increased anxiety, fear, sadness or worry.

Parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults can provide stability, support, and open communication. They can also help children and young people express the many different feelings and thoughts on their mind.

Here are some quick ideas for how to get conversations started:

People can be angry, sad, or worried when something bad happens. Those feelings can make you feel confused or uncomfortable. Tell me what you have been feeling since the changes started.
What worries you most about COVID-19?
When our minds are stuck on bad things, it can be really hard to focus on other things. Have you ever felt this way? What kinds of things does your mind get stuck on?
Is there anything that you are looking forward to, for when we can connect in-person more safely and return to more normal activities—like a vacation, movie, graduation or playing on a sports team? Tell me about what that might look like!

Full CDC article