The Suicide Prevention Coalition (SPC) promotes the sharing of data, reports, best practices, and local stories to inform and enlighten discussions and strategies for suicide prevention and other deaths of despair. This approach aims to create a well-informed and collaborative environment to effectively address these critical issues.
According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
The SPC works to promote cross-sector collaboration to develop and implement strategies that will reduce deaths by suicide and strives to create situations that influence and energize others as they refine their efforts to prevent suicides and other deaths of despair. The Coalition Steering Team supports two Action Teams; Prevention and Intervention & Awareness and Engagement.
The Steering Committee provides the driving force for strategic guidance to The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lehigh County. The Steering Committee supports two Action Teams: 1) Prevention and Intervention and 2) Awareness and Engagement that work to provide resources to the community on prevention, intervention, and support for loved ones who are survivors of suicide loss.
The following Advisory Groups and Task Forces provide strategic guidance to The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lehigh County to advance its efforts in specific suicide prevention areas and topics. Each Action Team meets monthly with both virtual and in-person options.
Passionate about suicide prevention in Lehigh County? The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lehigh County is welcoming new Action Team members. As a member, dedicate as much time and attention your schedule will allows to support this important initiative.
The Lehigh County L.O.S.S. Team is an initiative stemming from The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lehigh County in partnership with the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Our team is made up of compassionate community members and suicide loss survivors trained to reach out to the newly bereaved suicide loss survivors.
L.O.S.S. stands for Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors. A L.O.S.S. Team is an active model of postvention that involves two or more trained volunteers. The Volunteers go to the scene of a suicide to provide immediate support to loved ones. Having a L.O.S.S. Team at the scene of a suicide provides loss survivors with human connection and resources.
Having a team member who has gone through a similar loss brings hope and empathy, turning postvention to prevention.
By simply saying “I lost a loved one to suicide” a volunteer gives permission for the newly bereaved to use the word suicide and allows him/her to know that he/she is not alone.
Suicide postvention refers to activities that reduce risk and promote healing after a suicide death. Effective and comprehensive postvention services include a L.O.S.S. team to offer support, resources, and guidance to family, friends, professionals, and peers.
Postvention is critical because those directly impacted by a suicide loss are in need of support and are at an increased risk of suicide themselves. There is sometimes a stigma associated with suicide. This may negatively impact the bereaved individual’s willingness to acknowledge the loss and to ask for help.
Connecting those bereaved by suicide to resources as soon as possible promotes healing.
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, or if someone you know is in crisis. Call. Text. Chat.
Available 24 hours.
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