University of South Florida

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Cluster 1: Planning, Capacity Building and Strategic Engagement

Highly Recommended Actions

Use the Strategic Prevention Framework's 5-step process to continue to strengthen state planning so that resources are targeted where there is the greatest need and in a manner that tracks progress and measures outcomes.

Develop a comprehensive list of all types (areas of focus), locations and contact information of all suicide prevention gatekeeper programs throughout the state to be disseminated throughout the state to encourage the establishment of a network of gatekeepers.

Integrate suicide prevention activities with other prevention initiatives that are currently ongoing around the state so we can utilize their resources and ensure that we are a part of the broader prevention network.

Engagement in a regular (e.g. annual) data-driven strategic planning process.

Creation of a resource directory that identifies resources and programs around the state.

Support collaboration with community based organizations & coalitions to incorporate suicide prevention in their ongoing activities.

Develop an inventory of all mental health resources.

Engage the clergy in suicide prevention.

Develop more access to resources we have and use them better.

Make other human service agencies and hotlines aware of the resources available in the state.

Other Recommended Actions

Build regional networks throughout Florida where local providers, survivors, policymakers etc., can work together to move suicide prevention forward in their community.

Focus on suicide prevention across the life span -- youth, middle age and older adults -- as well as reaching at risk populations.

Build political and public will to advance suicide prevention in Florida by forming public/private partnerships.

Find ways to utilize Florida's vast senior labor pool in suicide prevention activities.
The development of local action plans to implement specific goals and objectives of the state strategy.

The development of broad-based support at the county and/or community level (e.g. coalition building).

Getting local government, school boards, and key community stakeholders to buy in and bring them together to strategize.

Get buy-in from school administrators, mental health professionals, school teachers to increase receptiveness to screening programs and explore utilizing suicide screening in large school districts.

Develop a comprehensive community strategy aligned with the state strategy.

Adapt the Florida Substance Abuse Response Guide for use by local communities working on suicide prevention - its logic model really helps guide good decision making.

Create a council that represents all groups working in mental health and suicide prevention in Florida.

Create on online forum to connect suicide prevention efforts statewide and promote those efforts nationally.

Building upon the ODC database, create a clearinghouse of all suicide prevention efforts around the state which is updated continually to show progress.

Engage survivors of suicide and attempts in all local planning efforts.

Convene focus groups of suicide survivors and/or those who attempted suicide within a specific demographic group in a community to identify what was helpful and what would have been helpful.

Identify the relevant community programs and determine how the prevention  message/mission must be modified to be relevant  to THAT community.

An increased focus and effort on evaluation of current and new activities - development of logic models, program evaluation, regular review of action plans, etc. to measure our success.

Assessing community readiness for suicide prevention.

Understand the barriers or resistance of the community to implement.

Establish satellite offices in each region so we have local resources in each community.

Utilize available data to engage the community and community leaders making it a local problem.

Each state department and organization looks at the strategy and aligns with their own objectives and develops action steps with people responsible and due dates for each action.

Tolerance from suicide prevention advocates in attracting interest and cooperation in suicide prevention by faith-based organizations.

These actions were identified as a result of a collaborative effort between the Florida Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, the Florida Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council, and the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition representing stakeholders throughout Florida, and in conjunction with FMHI/USF.