“Perspectives on Mental Health and Suicide” Advocacy

1. “Perspectives on Mental Health and Suicide” Advocacy World Mental Health Day October 10, 2006 Pan American Health Organization A Collaborative Effort Between: The World Federation for Mental Health and the International Association of Suicide Prevention “Building Awareness – Reducing Risk: Mental Illness and Suicide” Jerry Reed, MSW Executive Director

2. Advocacy • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead • “The rights of every person are diminished when the rights of one are threatened.” - John F. Kennedy • “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”  - Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. Advocacy is… “using your personal story and life experience to change hearts, minds and attitudes through education and example on a day-to-day basis.” Stephen Propst Summer 2003 DBSA Newsletter

4. The Model for Action Richmond and Kotelchuck’s Health Policy Model Found in: Atwood, K, Colditz, G. A., Kawachi, I. (1997). From public health science to prevention policy: Placing science in its social and political context. American Journal of Public Health, 87(10).

5. Knowledge Base

6. Suicide in the World Source: http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/

7. Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death in the world WHO estimates there are 1,000,000 suicides in the world each year One death by suicide every 40 seconds and one attempt every 3 seconds in the world Suicide represents 1.4% of to total global burden of disease The global suicide rate was 14.8/100,000 Up to 90 percent of suicides evidenced some form of mental disorder or substance abuse Rates tend to increase with age for both sexes Highest rates found in Eastern European countries Lowest rates found in Latin America and in a few countries in Asia Suicide accounted for 49.1% of violence related deaths The International Data

8. Violent Deaths Worldwide Achieving the Promise, July 2003

9. Social Strategies

10. The U.S. Foundation

11. Political Will

12. Survivor Engagement • SPAN USA founded to engage survivors and build political will for change • Turn grief to action • Put a face to the tragedy of suicide • Facilitate the healing journey • Serve as a catalyst for change

13. The Power of Our Message

14. SPAN USA’s 2006-2007 Public Policy Priorities • Full FY 2007 Appropriation of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (PL 108-355) • Passage of the Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act • $1.5 million to CDC to expand the National Violent Death Reporting System • Legislation on senior suicide early intervention and prevention • Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

15. The Power of Advocacy

16. The Power of Advocacy

17. Advocacy Works!

18. The U.S. Response to Suicide Prevention UN Guidelines for National Strategies $9 million forcrisis line grant $9 million for SPRC $9 million forcrisis line grant Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Grants The Reno Conference PNFC Report on Mental Health SPAN USA forms NSSP SG’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide GarrettLeeSmith MemorialAct signed S. Res. 84H. Res. 212 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

19. Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Update • 36 state/tribal grants (~$400,000 per grantee) • 55 campus grants (~$75,000 per grantee) • National Suicide Prevention Resource Center

20. Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention • Contract awarded to SPAN USA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in August 2006 • A coordinating body to implement, monitor, and provide leadership over the NSSP • Engage public/private sector partners to move objectives from paper to practice

21. How to be a Successful Advocate

22. How to succeed • Know your issue (facts, figures, statistics) • Know what you want (research, funding, services, legislation) • Engage politicians/appointed officials • Know the champions for suicide prevention and mental health issues • Engage advocates/survivors/consumers • Engage the media • Know what others are saying about this issue • Who supports and who opposes • Know what is being done • Work with others (coalitions, task forces, working groups, etc.)

23. Conclusion • Advocacy should be purposeful • Incorporate knowledge base, social strategies and political will to move towards prevention • Inspire others to help • Offer to do the work to get it done • There is a finite number of resources – be specific • Know what you want and why • Insist on accountability • You have the right to ask for action • Keep a record of your efforts • You will make a difference • If you don’t act, it may not get done

24. Advocacy is a lot like growing bamboo

25. Closing Quote “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

26. Contact Information Jerry Reed Executive Director SPAN USA 1025 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 1066 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 449-3600 jreed@spanusa.org www.spanusa.org