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AFSP Mississippi Selected as Project ECHO Pilot Chapter

May 1, 2023 – 1 min read

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AFSP has partnered with the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) for a Suicide Prevention Ambassador program. Suicide and suicidal behavior among youth and young adults is a major public health crisis. Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people 10-24 years of age in the United States, and rates have been rising for decades. In 2019, AAP surveyed pediatrician members about their experiences in practice: 92% reported that they had ever had a patient disclose suicidal ideation, and 80% had ever had a patient attempt or die by suicide. Forty-eight percent of pediatricians reported that a patient had attempted or died by suicide in the past year. In response, AAP and AFSP are partnering to activate a network of Suicide Prevention Ambassadors to lead much needed local-level strategies that address the national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.

Suicide Prevention Ambassadors will be trained in strategies described in the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention and work together to provide leadership and subject matter expertise, engage community members, and support chapter activities related to youth suicide prevention. Training will be ongoing, occurring during monthly, 1-hour Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) meetings between January – August 2023. Ambassadors will be guided through the process of building a chapter-level Action Plan that consists of measurable goals and activities that can be achieved over a period of 8 months. As chapter leaders, your engagement in the development of this Action Plan is encouraged. AAP and AFSP Chapters whose Ambassadors complete an Action Plan will share a $5,000 grant to support activities.

In addition to AFSP Mississippi, the following chapters were selected to participate in the initial cohort of this program:

    • Alabama
    • Central Valley
    • Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast
    • Greater Sacramento
    • Greater San Francisco Bay Area
    • Inland Empire and Desert Cities
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Kentucky
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Montana
    • New Mexico
    • Capital Region New York
    • Greater Central New York
    • Hudson Valley/Westchester
    • Long Island
    • New York City
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Washington