1. The Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Suicide in California CCCCO Student Services Conference, Friday, April 11, 2008 8:30am

2. The Governor’s Advisory Committee The Committee was created as a charge given to the Department of Mental Health as a result of a Veto of Senate Bill 1356 by Governor Schwarzenegger In 2006 The plan was to augment a previous plan created by SPAN-CA Members of the Committee were chosen as a result of an application process; The Advisory Committee includes professionals from every area of the public sector – such as Education, Military, Prison System, County Mental Health, and grassroots organizations.

3. The Advisory Committee Meetings The meetings were in Sacramento, with one meeting for public comment in Northern California and one in Southern California. The Committee created a comprehensive plan, and with the assistance of a technical writer, wrote several drafts, with the Final Plan scheduled to be submitted to the Governor’s Office in May 2008.

4. Why a Suicide Plan? In California, Suicide is the 10 th leading cause of Death among Californians. The World Health Organization currently considers depression the fourth leading cause of medical disability Worldwide – by 2020, it will be considered the second cause. 50% of persons who commit suicide had never been medically evaluated for their depression or other psychiatric co- morbidities.

5. More Californians are in need of psychological services. More College Students are experiencing psychological difficulties. Veterans coming home from combat are now dealing with PTSD, as well as other types of disabilities. The prison system in California is overwhelmed with inmates in need of psychiatric hospitalization; the risks for suicide are even greater among those who are newly incarcerated.

6. How will the Plan help combat the trauma of Suicide in California? The Plan is a template, a guide for State and local government, Education, the Military, etc. to establish a comprehensive response, by actively providing outreach, intervention, and education to help the public understand the serious problem of suicide in the State and how to access the services available to help those affected by suicide.

7. How will the Plan help the California Community Colleges? A plan that recognizes the importance of access to suicide education and prevention for students in post secondary education. The plan includes stronger language for training of College Administrators, Counselors, Faculty and other Student Services Professionals. It recognizes the dangers on College Campuses when there are students in crisis, and no means for College personnel to access their confidential information in order to provide assistance in concert with CMH and law enforcement agencies.

8. Who will pay for the Plan’s implementation? There will be continued discussion on this issue – this was one area that was not in the charge of the Committee to define, although many members wanted it addressed, but nothing definitive was stated in the meetings. There are current opportunities for funding via grants with the Student Mental Health Initiative for post secondary institutions.

9. The Student Mental Health Initiative Enacted as a 60 Million dollar funding initiative from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission in June 2007. Applicable to Post Secondary Public Institutions to improve access, education and intervention to psychological services desperately needed by college students. Program funding will take a three-pronged approach: training; peer-to-peer support; and Suicide Prevention.

10. Training: To educate Faculty, Staff, Administrators and Students about awareness of mental health issues, services, as well as recognition of mental health problems in those persons in distress. To create an arena on Campus that promotes compassion, empathy and lessens the stigma of mental illness, encouraging those persons in crisis to get help.

11. Peer-To-Peer Support Activities and programs to promote Cultural Diversity and enhance Cultural Competence, with respect to mental health issues; to instruct others on skills to cope with life stressors, navigate the mental health system, utilizing the expertise of College Students who are consumers. To expose others to issues that can produce stressors and lead to crisis situations among the college community.

12. Suicide Prevention Motivating the Campus Community using a best practices model for suicide prevention education. Bringing services dealing with suicide prevention into the campus community in order to make them accessible and readily available resources to students in crisis.

13. ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM Recipient Annual Amount Six System-Wide Grants of $500,000 Each $3 M Fifty Campus-Based Grants of $100,000 Each $5 M Evaluation $0.5 M Annual Funding: $8.5 Million Total Four-Year Funding: $34 Million

14. SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUATION GRANT PROGRAM Funding Category Annual Funding Statewide Prevention Funds for Training,$4 M Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Statewide Prevention Funds for Stigma and$2.5 M Discrimination Reductions Statewide Prevention Funds for Suicide$2 M Reduction Annual Funding: $8.5 M Total Four-Year Funding: $34 M

15. For Further Information: Please contact Maria Pena, Student Services Coordinator, DSPS, MiraCosta College Email: mpena@miracosta.edumpena@miracosta.edu Phone Number 760-757-2121, ext. 6297