Coalition Building and Growth

 Launched in September 2010, statewide initiative with two major goals:  To alleviate the fear and stigma associated with mental illness and suicide statewide  To build a statewide network of resources to assist local coalitions in their efforts Overall Goal – to reduce the number of lives lost in Wisconsin to the tragedy of suicide

Why?  Wisconsin currently ranks 22 nd in the country for suicide rates  In 2008, Wisconsin saw over 740 suicides  Wisconsin’s suicide rate of 12.6 is higher than the national average of 11.3  The national ratio of suicides to homicides is nearly 2:1; in Wisconsin, that ratio is 4:1  Wisconsin has a higher rate of alcohol abuse and firearm deaths

Why?  The good news is that our combined efforts are working!  Youth suicide rates are trending downward nationally – and in our state overall since 2001  Stigma around talking about suicide and mental illness is being diminished – we can talk about it publicly more  But our adult suicide rate is still very high

Why Coalition Building?  Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy (2002) “Effective suicide prevention efforts have to take place at the local level where local needs and resources are best understood.”

Why Coalition Building?  While we have a statewide initiative, local involvement and participation gets noticed more and usually has better effect  To be honest, there is not a lot of funding for suicide prevention available – local coalitions are able to do more with less through hands-on projects, working with local organizations and media and local fundraising efforts

What Should the Coalition Look Like?  Totally up to you and your community  There is no right or wrong way to get started – or who starts the group  What are the perceived needs of the community that will be served?  Who will you need to help you meet these needs?  Who can help you get a feel for the community perception and needs?

What Should the Coalition Look Like?  Take an inventory of those already involved – and what sector they represent  Who else can be of help? (Discussion) Suggestions: Mental Health Professional Survivor Law Enforcement School Representative Funeral Director Coroner/Medical Examiner Attorney Business Sector Media Emergency Room Personnel Veteran Clergy High School/College Students Others?

What Should the Coalition Look Like? Mental Health System

What Should the Coalition Look Like? Mental Health System Schools

What Should the Coalition Look Like? Mental Health System Schools Healthcare Public Health

What Should the Coalition Look Like? Mental Health System Schools Healthcare Public Health Child Welfare Faith Communities Law Enforcement

Getting Started  Start with a Mission Statement A working document that describes the purpose of the group ________ Coalition realizes that the suicide rate in our community as well as in the state of Wisconsin is excessively high. We also acknowledge that even one death by suicide is too many. Therefore we will strive to reduce the number of suicides in our area through awareness and education programs that will help alleviate the stigma and fear that surrounds mental illness and suicide, thus allowing people to get the help they need and save lives.

Getting Started  Have data that supports the need use:  Burden of Suicide Report  Injury Research Center/MCW: local evaluator: WI Violent Death Reporting System  DIV. of Public Health PH data  Div. of Public Instruction: Youth Risk Behavior Survey  MHA  Toolkit (PSW website)

Getting Started  What the Burden of Suicide Document provides:  Reports for each county  Data on costs for emergency detentions, hospital visits which could be helpful for statement of need in grant requests  Attention to veterans and suicide and information from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Getting Started  Determine your goals  What are we trying to accomplish?  What are our community’s strengths and needs?  What are our objectives and what types of activities seem logical?  Determine which goals are most likely to be accomplished in the first year  Be realistic  Be measureable

Getting Started  Begin a work plan for the group  The work plan will be our road map for the organization – written documentation of your goals and objectives, the tasks to be done, by whom, by when and measuring devices  It also helps determine your needs as far as members, fundraising and more

Getting Started SAMPLE STRATEGIC PLAN Mission Statement: Vision Statement: Long Term Goal Medium Term Goal Short Term Goal Focus Audience Lead Responsibility Completion Date Evaluation Indicators Objective 1 1. Tasks Objective 2 1. Tasks

Getting Started  Use those goals and objectives as a recruiting tool for new members – shows that the group has a plan and has a need for certain people  The size of the group can matter. It may take large groups longer to define and agree on common objectives and activities. Yet larger groups may have more resources to accomplish certain tasks.

Getting Started  Determine needs – manpower and financial  Though coalitions can usually run on a minimal budget, remember each member’s time is also a valuable contribution.  Finding what opportunities exist to meet the group’s goals and objectives (this may be an objective and task for the group work plan)

Getting Started  Have a plan for the future  Determine meetings – how often, where  Develop sustainability plan  Leadership of the group – important!  Recruiting new members  Retention of current members  Evaluate and evolve  Remember that the coalition is a living “organism” and needs to be nurtured, allowing for growth, changes and improvement

The Coalition  Gain Community Buy-in  Provide information to the outlying community that is current and apropos to the goals of the group and community needs  Invite the community - provide educations, exhibit at health fairs, let the community know you exist and why  Take into consideration the overall attitude toward mental illness and suicide and begin with the appropriate steps

The Coalition  Welcome and use community leaders as supporters and liaisons  The clergy can be a huge help in select areas of the community – and can help bridge gaps and dispel rumors and misconceptions  Area politicians, popular celebrities, business and community leaders – all may be able to assist in your efforts  Include youth – they can tall you how to reach their generation – same goes for elder adults

Join the Team  Use Prevent Suicide Wisconsin resources  Debi Traeder – Coalition Coordinator   Meet other coalitions in your region  Learn of programs that others do  Collaborate with other coalitions for assistance with your new projects  Use the information and materials provided  Become another resource by adding your coalition information to the website, too!

Join the Team There are coalitions building all over the state – some have been around for years, some just starting – all with a common purpose!

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Mental Health America-Wisconsin  What Is Your Name?!  Do you already have an organization name for your coalition? Let’s get it on the Prevent Suicide Wisconsin website (just contact Debi)

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Mental Health America-Wisconsin  What Is Your Name?!  Many coalitions have chosen to take on a personalized form of the statewide logo Example:  Provides a visual “link” to the statewide initiative – and it’s free (contact Debi)

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Mental Health America-Wisconsin  What Else Can We Do For You?  Trainings?  QPR  SOS  ACT  Other mental health-related programs

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Mental Health America-Wisconsin  What Else Can We Do For You?  Need help with your coalition?  Getting started  Building membership  Event ideas  Press release writing  Brochure development

Debi Traeder Suicide Prevention Coordinator Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Coordinator 715/