Utica, New York (November 2024) – The Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition, co-led by the Center for Family Life & Recovery and Oneida County, was awarded one of the 2024 Excellence in Suicide Prevention Coalition awards. This award is given for the Coalition’s work addressing Disproportionately Affected Populations. Coalition members were presented the award live at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference – Coalitions: Maximizing Connections Amplifying Impact on November 13th, 2024, at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.
Cassandra Sheets, Chief Executive Officer said about this award, "Congratulations to our dedicated team and community partners on this well-deserved recognition; their commitment to amplifying survivor voices and fostering a culture of support and resilience has made a profound difference in the lives of so many."
The Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s postvention response stands out because of their integration of loss and attempt survivors' voices into their initiatives. This year, they launched an awareness campaign centered on the message "You Are Not Alone," featuring personal stories from survivors while reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community. Additionally, they are holding a logo design competition, where individuals with lived experience serve as judges, further incorporating their voices into the efforts of the program. Through these actions, they aim to let youth and families know they are supported and never alone.
Their postvention efforts are guided by the Suicide Postvention Model (SPM) and the After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools. This year, in response to a loss within a local school district, they provided immediate, on-hand support and resources to the affected community. They also guided the school in supporting students and staff, addressing immediate emotional needs in the wake of the tragedy. These models ensure their response is structured, empathetic, and focused on healing.
The Coalition measured the impact of this response through feedback from school administrators and staff, assessing the effectiveness of the support provided. In addition, they are employing quantitative measures by tracking how many people are reached through recent media campaigns including radio and television commercials. Additional measurements include engagement through the number of students who participate in the logo design competition. This combined approach helps us evaluate both the immediate and long-term effects of postvention efforts.
Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com
