All,

As summer holidays are quickly approaching, we wanted to take this opportunity to update members on a couple different initiatives, specifically, the new co-chair for the Community Suicide Prevention Group, survey on top three gaps, meeting of the Sub-Committee, and the Communications Committee.

Update on New Co-Chair

We are pleased to announce that Joanne Lowe of Youth Services Bureau has agreed to co-chair the Community Suicide Prevention Group with George Weber.  Joanne was recently appointed Executive Director of Youth Services Bureau after leaving her position as Manager of the Community Division of the Child and Youth Specialized Psychiatric and Mental Health Services. 

Member Survey

Thank you very much to those who have responded (15 members) to the survey sent on June 2^nd asking to identify what you believe are the top three gaps that we can address collectively as a group.  Your feedback will be crucial in helping members of the Sub-Committee to discuss the gaps and key recommendations. For those who have not had an opportunity to respond, please access the survey at the following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WF6Q8XL 

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee composed of Eva Schacherl of Youth Services Bureau, Ann Fuller of CHEO, Renée Ouimet of Canadian Mental Health Association and Max Keeping have met on two occasions to discuss how we will inform the community on the work of the Community Suicide Prevention Group and determine the media's expectations on our work. The media will be particularly interested in knowing what community-wide gaps we have identified, what we are prepared to tackle as a group but also hear how we see the current system's response to our youth in the community. Are we using the resources well in the community? Are we asking for a realignment of our system, building more capacity, make program changes.

A larger question that currently occupies the mind of some journalists and communicators is the practical one. Where does a teen or youth go for help? Is there a first place to go? What about the family? What can they rely on? In their discussions, the Communications group found the absence of any simple clinical pathway that can be used to educate the media and the youth. Is a public awareness campaign in need?

The work of the Communications group can only go forward as the sub-committee tackles the issues of the gaps and help illustrate where our efforts will be focused on.  The Communications group will then be able to outline a presentation board to the media and propose some messaging and tactics that will help us achieve our desired outcomes: making a difference and preventing more suicides in our community.

Meeting of the Sub-Committee

This sub-committee is comprised of Joanne Lowe of YSB, Nicole Frappier of Ottawa Public Health, Karen Tataryn of Specialized Psychiatric and Mental Health Services for Children and Youth, and Nicole Loreto and George Weber of The Royal. If there are others who would like to join this group, they will be meeting on July 19^th from 1 to 3 pm at The Royal.  Please confirm your attendance with Sue Riley at sue.riley@rohcg.on.ca.

Thank you and as these initiatives move forward, we will update the group accordingly.

Sue Riley
Communications Coordinator, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
Email: sue.riley@rohcg.on.ca 
Office: 613.722.6521 x.6349  
Cell: 613.899.3088
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