Panel Discussion 2013 National LOSS Conference Columbus, Ohio September 10, 11, 2013

1. Panel Discussion2013 National LOSS ConferenceColumbus, OhioSeptember 10, 11, 2013 • Donald Belau, PhD, David Miers, PhD, Brittany Buquoi, PhD, Molly Smith, PCC-S, Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, BS, Lezlie Culver, BA

2. Introduction to LOSS • History of LOSS • Video Clip • Panel Questions • Questions for Panel Members

3. LOSS TEAM • In 1997, a group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was formed to help survivors of suicide find the resources they need. • The group was named the LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. • The team is made up of trained suicide survivors and Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center (BRCIC) staff.

4. LOSS TEAM • They go to the scenes of suicide to spread information about resources and to be the breath of hope for the grieving survivors. • The goal of the LOSS Team is to let suicide survivors know that resources exist as soon as possible following the death.

5. Video

6. Questions for LOSS Teams • Name of LOSS team-Community and State – Area team covers • Population/ area team covers • When did team start • Average number of calls • Team make-up and how activated • Biggest barrier • How do you get survivors and clinicians to get involved in the team

7. East Baton Rouge ParishLouisiana- Brittany Buquoi, PhD • Population 440,00 • Cover 455 square miles • A team of 12 members were recruited in 11/1997 and a year later, the team took calls • 30 calls per calendar year

8. East Baton Rouge ParishLouisiana • Team made up of survivors of suicide • Team in partnership with coroners office. If death ruled as suicide, the investigator calls a 24 hour crisis line which contacts team member on call • Largest barrier is recruiting new members • Have a clinician who is the Clinical Coordinator. Team members come from clinician referrals of those who facilitate the Survivors of Suicide support group

9. Tarrant County, Texas-Lezlie Culver, BA • Population 1,800,000 • Fort Worth, Arlington and surrounding areas. • Timeline: • Proposed in July 2010. • 60 trained January 2011. • Another 60 trained November of 2012. • 30 members on team—14 survivors, others MH. • Approximately 211 on-scene and delayed calls since April 2011.

10. Tarrant County, Texas • Fort Worth Police Department calls LOSS Team for on scene and delayed. • Arlington Police Department calls for delayed. • Do not always get calls after a suicide. • Program offers free training and CEU’s. • Contact made within the community include hospitals, schools, survivor support groups, agencies etc. • Main funding from 5K run.

11. Front Porch CoalitionWestern South Dakota- Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, BS • Pennington and Meade counties • Total population approximately 127,000 • August 2005 • 21.5 average each year • Survivors, some who have had a LOSS call. • Activated by the police department, coroner, and sheriff office who use dispatch and teams 24/7 answering service when death determined a suicide.

12. Front Porch CoalitionWestern South Dakota • Having enough volunteers available for a 24/7 year round operation is a challenge. • Done a lot of promotion and awareness, highlighted in United Way Day of Caring and Campaign video. Recruit from those who attend support group, and who have learned from community trainings. Primarily recruit those who have had a loss to suicide.

13. Logan/Champaign CountiesOhio- Molly Smith, PCC-S • Approximately 85,000 combined for 2 Counties • July 2008 • Logan county: 8 (2012) Champaign county: 8 (2012) • Mental health professionals, clergy, suicide prevention coalition members, survivors (those who received response now serving on team) • Team Coordinator receives call thru local crisis hot-line, activated by Coroner or Law Enforcement and assembles team

14. Logan/Champaign CountiesOhio • In Champaign county, getting stakeholders on board with concept. No barriers in Logan county. • Clinician interest generated by training opportunity. Initially hard to identify survivors, but those responded to are now expressing interest in being a responder and several have joined the team. We try to connect with families even if a face to face is not done initially thru phone calls and visits day or two later.

15. Lincoln/Lancaster Nebraska- Donald Belau, PhD, David Miers, PhD • Population Covered: Lancaster--300,000, Seward—17,000, Saline 14,000 • July 2009 went active • Team is in partnership with the Lincoln Police Department, Chaplaincy Corps, Lancaster County Sheriff’s office, Seward & Saline county law enforcement • State wide by request • 15-20 call outs @ year plus 10-15 Empathy calls/follow up calls @ year

16. Lincoln/Lancaster Nebraska • Team made up of survivors (those bereaved by suicide) & Clinicians who may be LMHP’s, Nurses, or others with clinical background who participate in regular training • Chaplain and/or law enforcement contacts team coordinator on call who then activates the Team • Largest barrier is recruiting and promoting continuing awareness of the LOSS team to facilitate referrals in view of a changing community • Have a clinician who is the Clinical Director. Team members come from referrals of Team Members and other sources who are screened and trained prior to participating in call outs. • Empathy calls are a major outreach of the LOSS team.

17. LOSS Teams - Postvention • Postvention---Prevention---Intervention • Postvention is Prevention

18. Resources • Each team brought sample resource packet for you to examine at today’s presentation.