Maryland Receives Youth Suicide Prevention Grant

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Mental Health;  Depression
Article Date: 21 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Governor Martin O'Malley today announced that Maryland has been awarded three-year, $1.5 million federal grant to combat the tragedy of youth suicide in local schools, communities and on campuses statewide. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has provided the funding to the departments of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and Education (MSDE).

"The pain of losing a loved one is unspeakable, and compounded when the death may have been prevented," said Governor O'Malley. "This grant allows Maryland to serve as a leader in the ongoing struggle to prevent and intervene in youth suicides."

Receipt of this highly competitive grant enables DHMH, MSDE and other state and local partners to expand national best practices in prevention and implement effective, culturally competent interventions to deter the tragedy of youth suicide.

"DHMH and its partners in education and local government will work collaboratively to promote the message that youth suicide is preventable," said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. "This outreach is consistent with the broader approach we have brought to mental health to educate the public on the early warning signs of mental health problems and what they can do to help a person in need."

Grant funds will be used to strengthen local school systems' ability to quickly detect potential problems of their students, and put into place strategic local community responses to provide swift and effective interventions.

"By training teachers to recognize the warning signs of youth suicide, this grant will provide an enormous service to Maryland families," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. "Our goal is to have 100 percent of our staff trained to identify students who might be at-risk, and to be able to refer those students for appropriate assessment and treatment."

A special focus will be placed on Maryland counties where the rates of youth suicide are higher than the national average, as determined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, a portion of the funds will be directed toward development of campus-based programs to address the heightened risk felt by college age youth who may be away from home for the first time and therefore experiencing increased isolation, competition, sense of failure, and emotional vulnerability.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)

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