Contact Person(s):
Ron Bloodworth
Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Injury Prevention and Epidemiology
Oregon Department of Human Services, Health Division
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 772
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 731-4987
(503) 731-4157 FAX
ronald.bloodworth@state.or.us

Summary of what Oregon is doing:

Oregon is developing a plan for youth suicide prevention based on national suicide prevention strategies, public input received at statewide community forums, and "best practices" research on suicide prevention. The plan is expected to be completed and available to the public during the summer of 2000. The Oregon plan will serve as a guide for communities in organizing, implementing, and monitoring the implementation of prevention strategies. Gatekeeper Training, movie trailer PSA’s, depression screening and referral, and informational brochures for teachers on child and adolescent depression, are examples of community initiatives and partnerships that have been stimulated by the statewide planning process. Two state agencies, the Oregon Health Division and the Office of Mental Health Services, are collaborating on a budget package to secure funding from the legislature to assist communities in implementing the statewide plan.

Links to applicable web pages:

The Oregon Plan for Youth Suicide Prevention is now complete and available online at

www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/ipe/suicide.htm

www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/ipe/welcome.htm#suicide

Extra Information on OREGON

1. Do you have a plan for a statewide suicide prevention program?

Yes. The statewide planning team on youth suicide prevention has a draft plan that will be published and available to the public in December 2000. The plan reflects recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Youth Suicide Prevention, citizen input on draft strategies from 13 community forums around the state, and identified best practices in youth suicide prevention.

2. What prompted the initiation of your plan or program?

Action on the part of concerned citizens resulted in the Governor appointing a task force on youth suicide prevention in 1996. In January, 1997, the task force published a report that included recommendations for education, mental health resources, law enforcement, and community/government. One recommendation was to create a youth suicide prevention coordinator position at the Department of Human Services, Health Division. In May 1997, the legislature appropriated funds in the amount of $100,000 per biennium for hiring and supporting the work of the youth suicide prevention coordinator. The coordinator works closely with several stakeholder state agencies within the Department of Human Services and with other state agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses.

3. When did you begin implementation of the plan?

The plan is a framework for communities in the selection, implementation, and evaluation of local suicide prevention strategies. Implementation of the plan by communities will begin shortly after the plan is published and released in December 2000. 

Some communities and regions of the state have taken the initiative to implement one or more strategies from the plan prior to its publication. Gatekeeper training, depression/suicidal ideation screening and referral, and public education campaigns are being implemented in a number of communities and regions. 

Once the state plan is published and released it will boost local initiatives already underway and help expand these initiatives and other suicide prevention strategies to more communities around the state.

4. Is there a legislative or other mandate for the suicide prevention program? 

Yes. The appropriation of funds for a statewide youth suicide prevention coordinator position and a legislative resolution declaring suicide prevention a state priority provides legislative support for suicide prevention activities. The job description set by the legislature for the coordinator position includes: 

1. Facilitate the development of a statewide strategic plan to address youth suicide;

2. Improve outreach to special populations of youth that are at risk for suicide;

3. Provide technical assistance to state and local partners and coordinate interagency efforts to establish prevention and intervention strategies.

In addition to the funds appropriated by the legislature, much has been accomplished with the help of volunteers, community initiative, foundation grants, and in-kind contributions.

5. Do you have a full time program director or coordinator?

Yes. The youth suicide prevention coordinator position is a 1.0 FTE full time position. The position is at the Department of Human Services, Health Division in the Center for Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, Injury Prevention and Epidemiology section.

6. How is the program funded?

The legislature provides $100,000 per biennium for the youth suicide prevention program. The Health Division and the state Office of Mental Health Services have collaborated on the development of a joint budget package for consideration in the Governor’s budget. The request calls for $1.5 million to fund 5 areas important to youth suicide prevention: expanded gatekeeper training statewide, depression/suicide ideation screening and referral, the expansion of mental health services in school based health centers that do not offer these services, public education campaigns to increase suicide prevention knowledge and safe storage of firearms, and improved data collection and evaluation capacity.

Communities where the implementation of suicide prevention strategies is already underway receive funding from foundation grants, local mental health organizations, professional organizations, and in-kind contributions from businesses, non-profits, and volunteers.

7. What is the program budget for your suicide prevention program? 

$100,000 per biennium.

8. Do you have an advisory council overseeing the direction of the program?

No. The statewide plan proposes the creation of a State Agency Team for the purpose of coordinating efforts, providing technical assistance, and bringing additional resources to communities implementing and evaluating suicide prevention strategies. The State Agency Team will consist of representative from various stakeholder state agencies within and outside of the Department of Human Services and other entities important to the success of the statewide suicide prevention effort.