Contact Person(s):

Cheryl DiCara
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Health, Division of Community Health
Maine Injury and Youth Suicide Prevention Programs
11 State House Station
331 Water St.
Augusta, ME
04333
Phone: 207-287-5362
FAX: 207-287-3993
cheryl.m.dicara@state.me.us

Summary of what Maine is doing:

The Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program is a collaborative initiative of Governor Angus S. King, Jr. and the Children’s Cabinet, representing Commissioners and senior staff from the Departments of Human Services; Education; Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services; Corrections; and Public Safety. Program goals are to reduce the incidence of suicide behavior among Maine youth aged 10-24 and to improve youth access to appropriate prevention and intervention services. The program takes a comprehensive approach. Multiple strategies are designed to reach the general public, young people at-risk, and individuals in direct contact with youths. Community and school-based program components are designed for implementation in a coordinated fashion within existing prevention efforts.

The Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program was developed using the recommendations of a grass roots based Gubernatorial Task Force and the research literature. During the planning process, we realized that 1) suicide is a complex behavior that would require a response at many levels 2) and that it was very important to proceed carefully and to develop a comprehensive program that would help prevent youth suicide in our state. The Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program was designed to work within existing systems in our schools and communities. We are in the process of establishing a Suicide Attempt Data System utilizing EMS ambulance run report and hospital discharge data. Program Evaluation: The program has used Program Logic Models of the overall program strategies and individual strategies as a planning and evaluation tool. Details of Maine’s program are available at the web sites listed below.

Links to applicable web pages:

Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program
www.state.me.us/suicide
janus.state.me.us/suicide/

Gatekeeper Training Manual:
janus.state.me.us/dps/ems/ems-c.htm