Panel Discussion2013 National LOSS

ConferenceColumbus, Ohio

September 10, 11, 2013Donald Belau, PhD, David Miers, PhD,

Brittany Buquoi, PhD, Molly Smith, PCC-S, Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, BS, Lezlie

Culver, BA

Introduction to LOSS

History of LOSS Video Clip Panel Questions Questions for Panel Members

LOSS TEAMIn 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.

LOSS TEAMThey 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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

LOSS Teams - Postvention

Postvention---Prevention---Intervention Postvention is Prevention

Resources

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