Introduction:
During the 2023 calendar year, NYS Chapter 2 is participating in Cohort #1 of the Suicide Prevention Ambassador Program, a collaboration of the AAP and the AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Who we are:
The AAP NYS Chapter 2 Ambassador Program “team:
- Jessica Geslani, AAP – NYS Chapters 2 & 3 Executive Director
- Gary Krigsman, MD, FAAP, AAP – NYS Chapter 2 Suicide Prevention Ambassador.
- Samantha Remulla, AFSP -NYC Chapter Suicide Prevention Ambassador
- Katie Deitz. AFSP -Long Island Chapter Suicide Prevention Ambassador
Who our target audience is:
We will work collaboratively to increase awareness of available suicide prevention resources. Our target audiences will be:
- AAP NYS Chapter 2 members and pediatric providers within the 4 counties
- Other community health providers and healthcare facilities
- Community mental health providers and facilities
- Patients and families
- Schools
- Other community agencies serving children, adolescents and young adults
Action Plan:
Our “Action Plan” for 2023 includes:
- Creating this Chapter 2 “Suicide Prevention” webpage
- Writing a standing suicide prevention article in each Chapter 2 periodic newsletter
- Offering the AFSP’s “Talk Saves Lives” presentation to community healthcare, mental health and social service agencies providing services to the:
- LGBTQIA+ community
- New immigrant community
- Raising awareness among Chapter 2 pediatric providers regarding mental health services available in their patients’ schools
- Including suicide prevention information and resources in the new members’ packet and sustaining the above goals
Helpful Resources and Links:
General Hotlines and 24/7 Mental Health Help:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (aka 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
- 988 (call, text or chat)
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Suicide Prevention 24/7 Crisis Text Line
- Text “GOT5” to 741-741
- In NYC:
- Hotline: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
- Text “WELL” to 65173
- Chat: NYC.gov/NYC well
- In Nassau County:
- Hotline: 516-227-8255
- In Suffolk County:
- Hotline: 631-952-3333
- NYS Crisis Line: 844-863-9314
- Chat on-line at: FoundationZCrisisChat.org (9-3 Mon-Fri)
- NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Suicide Prevention Resources for the LGBTQIA+ community:
- If in Crisis:
- Trevor Project free 24/7 LGBTQ crisis intervention line:
- 1-866-488-7386
- Trevor Text:
- “START” to 678-678
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Trevor Project free 24/7 LGBTQ crisis intervention line:
American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Website: aap.org/suicideprevention
- Link: “Suicide: Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention”
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
- Website: https://afsp.org/about-afsp
Screening Tools:
- Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit
- Link: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials
- ASQ toolkits: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials
- ASQ tool (i.e. 4 question, 20 second screen): Link available on the above site in the “Popular Resources” box.
- Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (BSSA) when the patient screens positive (any “Yes” response) on the ASQ: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials/youth-outpatient/bssa_worksheet_outpatient_youth_asq_nimh_toolkit.pdf
To Ascertain Mental Health Services Available in Schools in Brooklyn and Queens:
- If you call the school, you should ask to speak to the:
- Parent Coordinator
- School Social Worker
- School Counselor
- To initially search on-line:
- Go to link: https://www.schools.nyc,gov
- Click on: “Find a School”
- On “Find a School” page: Type in school name and address and click on borough; then click “Search”
- On school-specific page: Click on the school’s name
- Scroll down page and click on “Mental Health and Wellness”
- The “Mental Health and Wellness” page will provide:
- General suggestions re: school contacts (those noted above)
- NYC suicide prevention hotline and text information
- National suicide prevention hotline and text information
- Information re: any school-specific on-site mental health clinic, school-linked mental health clinic or school-based health center with mental health services
- Schools may also be connected to the Office of School Health, School Mental Health Program (SMH). SMH partners with over 500 schools to oversee the implementation of quality mental health programs through onsite CBO partner support or community linkages. Services available to each school are unique to the needs of each school population. Services range across three tiers of service and include universal, selective, and targeted levels of care. School Mental Health Managers assist schools in streamlining the multiple mental health and wellness related requirements to which each school must adhere through consultation, information, education, and other supports. To identify if a school has a School Mental Health Manager assigned please email schoolmentalhealth@schools.nyc.gov.
Please contact Gary Krigsman, M.D. at garykrigsman@gmail.com with any questions and/or suggestions regarding suicide prevention activities within Chapter 2.