Suicide Prevention Coalition

Press release:

The Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming (GOW) Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition was recognized at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany last month for excellence in the Lethal Means Safety category.

Sara Andrew, a licensed clinical social worker and community engagement and partnership coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, accepted an award on behalf of GOW Pathway to Hope.

The coalition was nominated for this award by Lynda Battaglia, director of Community Services in Genesee County in partnership with Kelly Dryja, director of Community Services in Wyoming County and Danielle Figura, director of Community Services in Orleans County.

Andrew works with coalitions in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Niagara counties to implement community-based interventions for suicide coalition, with a focus on service members, veterans and their families.

About 150 professionals in the suicide prevention field attended the conference at the Desmond Hotel Crowne Plaza.

Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp instruments) that can be used to inflict self-directed violence. Lethal Means Safety is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one’s suicide risk by limiting access to those lethal means.

In submitting the nomination form, Battaglia outlined steps being taken by the local coalition to reduce means of harm.

“For the GOW Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition, it might mean having someone taking a few extra minutes of having to unlock a gun safe or unlocking medications that can give someone that time to pause and not make an impulsive decision, such as suicide,” she wrote.

“We know that people have access to lethal means in their environment and we know the goal of lethal means safety is to promote and give opportunities between thinking of suicide and acting on it for individuals. Preventing access to lethal means in that very moment gives that person a couple of life saving minutes to think about what they are doing and to reach out for help instead.”

Battaglia pointed out that the local coalition has worked to overcome “unique challenges” faced by rural areas, such as accessibility to services and lack of transportation. She noted that suicide in agriculture and farming – key industries of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties – is on the rise.

“While the coalition focuses on the needs of each county, collectively the coalition is stronger working together,” she wrote. “This is demonstrated on a routine basis in ways of sharing resources, education, supports, and promoting efforts to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and suicide by close partnership and collaboration of efforts.”

GOW Pathway to Hope has adopted an evidenced based, suicide prevention initiative that was initially developed in Virginia. The Lock & Talk training educates local residents on what Lethal Means Safety is while encouraging communities to engage in mental wellness conversations.

“Locking/safely securing or removing lethal means is one of the few evidence-based strategies to substantially prevent suicide- many suicides occur with little planning during a short-term crisis,” Battaglia wrote. “Talking can often alleviate distress and reduce the intention to act on suicidal thoughts. It’s also about sharing resources and getting the right help to the right individuals who need it, when they need it.”

Thus far, GOW Pathway to Hope has distributed around 400 Lock & Talk bags that each include a cable gun lock, locking medication pouch or medication lockbox, a pre-paid medication disposal envelope among other local and national resources.

Additionally, about two dozen LMS trainings have been provided to human service professionals as gatekeepers, who in turn received the Lock & Talk bags to provide to community members in need, and several firearm safety for suicide prevention workshops have been conducted.

For more information about the Lock and Talk program, email spcgenesee@gmail.com.

Although the topic of suicide is not pretty or often readily embraced, it is being eagerly addressed as an issue that cannot be ignored at Batavia City Schools and beyond, and, as Coordinator of Community Schools Julia Rogers said during a Suicide Prevention event this week, “we want mental health awareness and suicide prevention to be more than just events in our local community.”

“We want it to be a way of life,” she said during the Genesee County Legislature’s proclamation presentation Tuesday for Suicide Prevention Week. 

“As we face the issue of suicide prevention, we are acutely aware of the discrimination, prejudices and stigma those suffering with mental illness have to deal with on a daily basis," Rogers said. "Our entire staff’s focus has expanded to include looking out for all students. That means our disengaged and disinterested students, our middle-of-the-road students, and our very engaged and overly involved students, and those students who may also be living with a family member or friend who is suffering.”

This all-encompassing approach has led the role of educators to expand in an effort to help support and teach students, families, colleagues and community members about mental illness, she said, “with the hope to overcome its stigma.” 

It is a huge challenge, and one that cannot be accomplished overnight, Rogers said. But the school community now has a raised awareness level.

“We know suicide impacts people of all backgrounds, and we are constantly looking for warning signs,” she said. 

The high school has a Sources of Strength group that helps support students in grades kindergarten through 12 in various activities and serves as a main prevention program. Its mission is to “increase help-seeking behaviors and promote connections between peers and adults.” 

Community Schools collaborated with the county’s Suicide Prevention Coalition last year and was awarded a grant through the American Academy of Pediatrics. A first-ever Youth Suicide Prevention Community Grants Program gave the district an opportunity to do many things throughout the district, including to create posters with safe messaging that were hung in various locations throughout Batavia during this month and in May during Mental Health Awareness month, she said.

“This grant opportunity led us as a coalition to think outside the box and develop Creative Communities. Starting with a Health Fest last spring, in conjunction with Community Schools, many other organizations and agencies, such as the Department of Health, Madeline Bartz Missions, Rochester Regional and the Lions Club, to name a few, our coalition plans to hold quarterly activities to expand our reach and our message,” she said.

Cheryl Netter, a member of the coalition who has spoken publicly about her personal story of addiction, depression and being a suicide attempt survivor, wanted to share some words for others who may be struggling.

The coalition has been a passion of hers, Netter said, while it has also given a platform for her to impact others by sharing her story and allowing — with compassion — others to do the same.

“There is definitely power and strength found when you can identify in a safe, nonjudgemental and empathetic way with someone whose life has been impacted by suicide, mental health challenges or addiction,” she said. “The Suicide Prevention Coalition has been a priority for me as well as those who are part of, and can help support, and who helped support, the coalition in offering education, resources, support and most of all, hope for those within our communities.”

Legislator Gregg Torrey read and presented the proclamation to the coalition, which is below:

Whereas, the week of September 10 to 16, 2023 is National Suicide Prevention Week, an annual campaign observed in the United States to educate and inform the general public about suicide prevention and to warn about rising suicide rates, and

Whereas, this week aids to reduce the stigma around it and raise awareness so that more and more people can reach out for help, and

Whereas, these observances are united in raising awareness that prevention is possible and treatment is effective, and people do recover, and

Whereas, the benefits of preventing and overcoming mental health challenges, suicide attempts and loss are significant and valuable to individuals, families, and our community, and

Whereas, it is essential that we educate residents about suicide, mental health and substance abuse and the ways they affect all people in the community, and

Whereas, we encourage relatives, friends, co-workers, and providers to recognize the signs of a problem, and guide those in need to appropriate services and supports, and

Whereas, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County is dedicated to providing suicide awareness, training, prevention and postvention strategies for individuals, families, schools and organizations in Genesee County. Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that Genesee County Legislature proclaims the week of September 10 to 16, 2023 as Suicide Prevention Week and shows great compassion for coming together as a community to educate and support each other.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County Suicide Prevention Coalition partners with Batavia High School and its Sources of Strength program, which recently made a donation to the local coalition.

Pictured above are students Lily Whiting and Benjamin Best from the BHS Sources of Strength program.

During Sources of Strength Kindness Week, SOS members collected donations in decorated jugs. The donations help to support the coalition work that includes providing resources at community events as well as support for local suicide prevention workshops/trainings.  

The coalition especially thanks Kelly Deneka and Heidi Meides, SOS adiversers at BHS, for their continued support of the SPC and the work they do with young people. You are making a difference!

Press release from Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County:

Often at the holidays we give thanks for those around us and think warmly of those who are no longer here but were special in some way to our lives. This can be extremely difficult when an individual has exited life through a suicide. The recent death of the nurse in England brought so many issues to light in addition to the actual suicide such as confidentiality, pranks and bullying. It may have happened in England but we have also seen too many suicides each year, every year, right here and most of those do not get the attention they deserve. Awareness is important -- not to blame or find fault -- but to learn ways to recover for the survivors and to prevent future events.

The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County has the mission of providing suicide awareness, training, prevention, and aftermath strategies for individuals, families, schools, and organizations in the county. It is focused on the goal of reducing suicides to zero. The coalition brings schools, law enforcement, counseling agencies, advocacy groups, and many others to the table to work together to accomplish the goal.

Some individuals may not be aware of many of the resources available to them such as: Genesee County Mental Health Services (344-1421) that provides counseling and psychiatric services, the Mental Health Association in Genesee County (344-2611) offering advocacy, education, and a support group for survivors of suicide, and Regional Action Phone – RAP (344-1212) our crisis hotline and information center available 24/7.

Media attention might have been too much for that nurse. The “prank” went very wrong and we often do not realize the consequences of our “kidding” or “joking.” We focus on children and adolescents bullying but what about adults? Maybe some have gone too far and been desensitized to the pain of others.

Words and actions are more significant than you think and they can lead to amazing results. If you are interested in helping to eliminate suicide, there is a seat for you at our table. Call any of the above agencies for more information.