National Webcast Kicks Off “75 Days of Action” for Suicide Prevention
“It is encouraging to see that CFS and our materials are able to assist with suicide awareness and suicide prevention efforts through a wide variety of forums and activities both in the US and globally.”
A three-hour Suicide Prevention National Webcast on June 27 kicked off the “75 Days of Action” before National Suicide Awareness Day September 10. The main focus was to encourage discussion of community-specific strategies and to develop action plans for a given area. The webinar provided an opportunity to learn more about the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, and tools and resources available to help reduce the tragic experience of suicide.
CFS’s Stephen Roggenbaum joined a gathering at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which served as a host site for local participants to view the webcast together. During the webinar, a panel of speakers spoke on a variety of suicide-related topics including the high risk groups of Native Americans, veterans and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender).
Following the webinar, participants at the Crisis Center discussed webcast content and ideas for preventing suicide in local settings such as the workplace, school, church or organization. Information was provided about how to access the free education and materials offered through the Florida Youth Suicide Prevention Program.
Roggenbaum has played a prominent role in Florida on suicide prevention efforts. He currently is one of four gubernatorial appointments on the Florida Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council, and is a member of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Pasco Aware suicide prevention task force. He was part of the research team that researched, designed, and crafted the Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide. In addition, he developed and teaches Suicide Issues In Behavioral Healthcare, an undergraduate course for the Behavioral Health Care Major/Minor at USF.
Roggenbaum’s expertise is reaching beyond the state of Florida. Most recently:
- A pageant contestant from North Dakota consulted with him while preparing the theme, “Show You Care, Stay Aware: Suicide and Crisis Prevention,” as her platform in her quest to be crowned Miss America.
- The Youth Suicide Prevention Guide is featured in an article, “Be A Great RA & Help Pay For College: 75 Top Resources” on YesCollege.com.
- A psychological consultant from Anadolu University in Turkey has requested permission to adapt and use the Youth Suicide Prevention School-based Guide for implementation in Turkey.
“It is encouraging to see that CFS and our materials are able to assist with suicide awareness and suicide prevention efforts through a wide variety of forums and activities both in the US and globally” said Roggenbaum. "The 75 days of Action helps to emphasize that all of us can and should engage in suicide prevention activities on more than just one day per year on September 10, 2013, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Day.”
View CFS projects and research related to suicide prevention.
For additional information on national efforts, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention/suicide.aspx.