The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65767

Swapnil Maniar, MPH¹, Ramya Sundararaman, MD, MPH², Diane DeAngelis, MA¹, and Cindy Rodgers, MSPH¹. (1) Injury Prevention and Control Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02108, (2) National Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Education Development Center, 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458, 508-881-4622, ramyasundaraman@yahoo.com

Introduction: Benefits of community-based coalitions in development and implementation of suicide prevention efforts present on different levels, including accurately identifying risk and protective factors for suicide among specific populations within their community, and determining utility of existing resources. An undocumented benefit is program sustainability when external funding sources expire. Methods: In a pilot project to examine effectiveness of coalition-based approach to suicide prevention, five Massachusetts communities with specific target populations were selected and provided $15,000 for each of 2 phases. In Phase-I, coalitions assessed risk factors for suicide, available resources and limitations. In Phase-II, communities were asked to implement two suicide prevention initiatives based on Phase-I results, including developing a survivor support group. Funding for Phase-II terminated before the entire $15,000 was disbursed, as part of statewide budget cuts. Results: From Phase-I, community coalitions identified initiatives addressing the needs of their target population and fitting the available budget. As programs planned for Phase-II were contingent upon funding, termination of funding led coalitions to rely heavily upon existing resources. Composition of community coalitions, specifically presence of a deeply invested group, plays a significant role in its sustainability when external funding sources are cut. Over the next few months we will define characteristics of coalitions most likely to continue prevention efforts during serious fiscal crisis. Discussion: Utilization of coalitions in suicide prevention can sustain initiatives in difficult fiscal times. Results vary according to composition of coalitions and extent to which coalitions can use existing infrastructure and resources to implement suicide prevention programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize variables that make a community-based coalition sustainable.
• Assess the effects of budget cuts on newly established community-based coalitons for suicide prevention.
• Understand the ability of different coalitions to use existing infrastructure and resources to implement suicide prevention programs.
• Analyze the role of the types of key players as coalition members and their role in providing access pertinent information and resources for the target population and community.
• Evaluate coalition resiliency and factors that enable coalitions to continue to move forward with limited funding.

Keywords: Suicide, Community Building

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.