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Meeting Information

All are welcome to attend. No registration required—just show up!

  • Date: Fourth Thursday of the month
  • Time: 3-4 p.m.
  • Location: Olathe Downtown Library (260 E. Santa Fe Olathe, KS 66061) 
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Email Newsletter

We know you have a lot of emails in your inbox. But the best way to stay up to date with SPC, besides attending monthly meetings, is to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Subcommittees

Four dedicated subcommittees each focus on one of SPC’s four core goals, targeting key areas of intervention. These groups meet monthly, either in person or virtually, in addition to the coalition’s regular meetings to keep progress moving forward.

Interested in collaborating with one of our subcommittees? Please email spc@jocogov.org.

This subcommittee identifies and engages high-risk populations within Johnson County, offering tailored services and resources to address their unique needs. 

Subcommittee Action Items:

  • Community Needs Assessment
    • Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify high-risk populations, such as youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans and those with behavioral health disparities.
    • Use local data to determine the prevalence of suicide risk factors within these groups.
  • Targeted Outreach Programs
    • Collaborate with local organizations to develop and launch targeted outreach programs aimed at the identified high-risk groups.
  • Cultural Competency & Trauma-Informed Training
    • Provide cultural competency and trauma-informed care training for service providers, ensuring that outreach and support services are respectful, sensitive, and relevant to each group.
  • Collaborate with Local Organizations
    • Strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations and grassroots groups to ensure high-risk populations are reached.
    • Build relationships with community leaders from diverse populations to ensure tailored approaches.

This subcommittee ensures all healthcare providers in Johnson County regularly conduct suicide prevention screenings and have a system of follow-up actions for at-risk individuals.

Subcommittee Action Items:

  • Develop Standardized Screening Protocols
    • Collaborate with healthcare providers to create standardized suicide prevention screening tools for use across clinics, hospitals and private practices.
  • Provider Training
    • Offer training sessions for healthcare professionals on the importance of suicide screenings, risk identification and the appropriate follow-up actions, including referrals to mental health professionals.
  • Referral Network Development
    • Establish a robust referral network connecting healthcare providers with local mental health resources and crisis intervention teams, ensuring at-risk individuals are quickly connected to appropriate care.

This subcommittee promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention strategies in workplaces across Johnson County, creating supportive environments for employees to seek help.

Subcommittee Action Items:

  • Workplace Training Programs
    • Promote comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention training for businesses, including information on recognizing warning signs and supporting employees in crisis.
  • Encourage Mental Health Policies
    • Encourage employers to implement mental health policies, such as offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), providing mental health days, and fostering a stigma-free environment.
  • Community Wide Events and Awareness Campaigns
    • Organize community-wide events, such as Mental Health Awareness Days, to raise awareness about mental wellness and suicide prevention in the workplace.
    • Host lunch-and-learns, panel discussions or workshops in local businesses to encourage open conversations about mental health.
  • Business Support Network
    • Create a network of local businesses committed to mental health awareness, providing mutual support for the integration of suicide prevention and wellness programs.
  • Promote Resources
    • Ensure businesses have access to suicide prevention resources, including hotlines, training materials, and local counseling services.

This subcommittee utilizes data and best practices from national, state and local partners to inform community education efforts and strengthen partnerships for lasting suicide prevention strategies.

Subcommittee Action Items:

  • Review National, State and Local Data
    • Conduct a review of existing data and best practices from national, state and local suicide prevention initiatives, ensuring that the coalition’s programs align with evidence-based strategies.
  • Develop Educational Materials
    • Create and distribute educational materials (pamphlets, online resources, social media content) that provide information on suicide prevention, warning signs and available resources.
  • Partner with Local Organizations
    • Build strong partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, local businesses and faith-based groups to disseminate suicide prevention information.
    • Offer joint workshops and seminars on mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Host Annual Suicide Prevention Summit
    • Host an annual summit bringing together local, state and national experts to share insights, data and resources.
    • Use this summit to evaluate the coalition's progress, foster new partnerships and discuss emerging trends in suicide prevention.
  • Foster Collaborative Relationships
    • Engage with local organizations, state and national entities as well as grassroots efforts to strengthen partnerships and share resources, ensuring a comprehensive and unified approach to suicide prevention.

Join SPC's Leadership Team

Are you the type of person that goes out of their way to help others? Do you want to help prevent suicide in Johnson County? We want to hear from you!

Apply Today

Questions? Want to get involved?

For more information regarding the coalition, please email SPC@jocogov.org.