Suicide prevention services expanded

DUPAGE COUNTY—The DuPage County Health Department is pleased to announce that its Crisis Center has been awarded a three-year follow-up grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that will help us provide more services to suicidal persons in DuPage County.

This grant was made possible by the Health Department’s participation in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program since May, 2012. The Health Department will use this grant to increase the number of suicidal persons receiving follow-up services.

The grant has specific objectives:

• Increase the number of Lifeline callers enrolled in follow-up services and link them to treatment services as appropriate.

• Coordinate with other crisis intervention services in order to engage and provide continuity of care and follow-up services.

• Increase awareness and access to suicide prevention and treatment services in DuPage County with a special focus on underserved groups.

• Train professional behavioral health and crisis intervention staff in evidence-based and best practices in suicide prevention strategies.

This grant will allow us to collaborate with Glen Oaks Hospital, Cadence Hospital, Life Guardians Alliance, NAMI DuPage, Suicide Prevention Services and 360 Youth Services, a member of the Community Network: Professionals Supporting LGBTQ Youth.

The grant will allow the Health Department to designate a staff position that will specifically provide follow-up services to Lifeline callers, as well as suicidal persons within the community. The grant is nearly $60,000 per year from 2013 to 2016.

For more information, follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, or visit www.dupagehealth.org.

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