Welcome and Warm-up

Kirk Postlewaite, Director, Vermont Suicide Prevention Center, opened the meeting and gave an agenda overview for the morning. 

Data Snapshot and Update on Comprehensive Suicide Prevention and Garrett Lee Smith Grants at the Vermont Department of Health

Aislinn Gilmour, Public Health Data Analyst at VDH, presented a 2023 data overview for suicide deaths and suicide-related ED visits, as well as preliminary data for the first quarter of 2024. For more details and for specific data by county and population groups, see Meeting Notes and the Slide Deck.

Elora Taylor, GLS Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Stephanie Busch, Injury Prevention Manager shared updates and priorities within the CSP and GLS grants. Elora discussed key elements of the grants and shared current updates on resources and initiatives under the GLS grant for BIPOC youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and families, including a new resource for schools: https://www.healthvermont.gov//Suicide-Prevention-Trainings-Schools-Flyer. Stephanie gave an overview of 2024 activities, including enhanced data surveillance, expanded suicide awareness trainings for community partners, implementing Zero Suicide in emergency departments, and public suicide awareness messaging. Community response to suicide/postvention was also a key activity and discussed in depth:

Coordinating and Implementing Postvention Practices Across Vermont

Stephanie and Heather White, Area Director, VT Chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, discussed the planning and implementation process by a multi-partnered group to develop and promote postvention best practice guidelines for first responders and mental health response, and to provide postvention resource packets throughout Vermont. Also part of this effort is a two-part training for first responders, and an Ethical Reporting on Suicide training for media and public relations staff.

Department of Mental Health: State Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention Updates and Discussion

Chris Allen, State Suicide Prevention Director, shared updates in the planning process for the development of Vermont’s first Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, due to the Legislature by July 1, 2024. Coalition members broke into small groups to discuss approaches to implementation and distribution of the plan.

VTSP Coalition Structure Discussion

Kirk Postlewaite and Chris Allen facilitated a conversation with the group about the Coalition’s current format and feedback about what works well and what changes members would like to see. A rich discussion ensued regarding when and where meetings could be held, the feasibility of regional coalitions or groups, supporting participation in the Coalition, and more. 

Announcements, Trainings, and Resources

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Coalition members shared announcements related to the ongoing risks of online harm exposure for youth and a living room model of crisis care in the Northeast Kingdom. See Meeting Notes for details.

CHL/VTSPC TRAININGS & RESOURCES

Upcoming Trainings at CHL & VTSPC

https://healthandlearning.org/trainings/ 

DEI Webinar Series: 12:00-1:00 PM

• Serving Those Who have Served Us (May 16th)
• LGBTQIA+ Suicide Prevention (June 20th)

Other Trainings

• Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together: Care Coordination & Follow Up Within a Community

• • • June 3, 2024 – 1:00-2:30 PM

• When Conversation Turns to Suicide for the LGBTQIA+ Community:

• • 4-day series, 4 hours each day
  • Wednesday and Thursday: May 21, 22, 29, 30, 2024 – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Resources on CHL/VTSPC sites:

Finding a Mental Health Professional in Vermont Resource Guide

https://healthandlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Vermont-Guide-to-Finding-a-Mental-Health-Professional.pdf  

Youth Serving Organizations: Lethal Means Safety Resource Guide

https://healthandlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FINAL-GLS-Lethal-Means-Safety-Resource-Guide-2023.pdf  

Lethal Means Safety Resource Guide

https://healthandlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FINAL-2-Lethal-Means-Safety-Resource-Guide-2023.pdf 

Tips for Firearms Dealers:

https://healthandlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FINAL-SP-Firearms-Dealers_Oct23.pdf  

Tips for Firearm Range Operators

https://healthandlearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FINAL-SP-Range-Operators_Oct23.pdf