Step 2. Exploration & Engagement
Purpose
Assess the potential match between community problem areas and community resources in order to make a go or no-go decision.
Activities
- Hold an initial meeting or meetings with identified stakeholders in order to identify:
- Key informants who can tell you about the community’s interest in and history of suicide prevention.
- Issues associated with previous suicide prevention efforts.
- People, coalitions, organizations, and community groups to participate in community planning.
- Possible champions.
- Community resources.
- Grant potential.
- Ideas for conducting the Initial Research and Environmental Scan.
- Ideas for approaching certain organizations and people who might have concerns or be potential champions.
- Groups who meet regularly who might be willing during a meeting to introduce the subject and provide volunteers to participate in implementation.
- Ideas for integrating and coordinating efforts with related initiatives (e.g. local mental health coalitions.)
- Decide whether or not to proceed with community planning.
- Develop a plan of approach for community planning.
Resources/Input
- Specific problems areas to be expolored.
- Plan of approach for exploration and engagement.
- Suicide related statistics.
- Community contacts.
- Grants.
- Other community related initiatives and programs.
Results/Output
- Areas of need to be addressed by the community
- Plan of approach for community planning
- People and resources to participate in community planning