Suicide Prevention Action Plan
Initial Development and Implementation

Suicide Prevention Action Plan Committee (SPAPC)

On April 1, 2010, the County of San Diego awarded CHIP a contract to form an interagency Suicide Prevention Council (SPC) to create and introduce a Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention Action Plan for San Diego County.  The development and implementation of the action plan will be the sole activity of SPC for the next 2-2.5 years.

This website will provide you ongoing information about:

Should you have any questions, please contact Holly Salazar, Director of Strategic Outcomes at 858.609.7966

The San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council (SPC) meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:00am - 11:30am at the CHIP offices, located at 9370 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 220, San Diego CA 92123.  Please join us as we work to implement recommendations made in the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Action Plan.

Our VISION is zero suicides in San Diego County.

Our MISSION is to prevent suicide and its devastating consequences in San Diego County.

This can be best accomplished through....

  • Enhancing collaborations to promote a suicide-free community
  • Conducting needs assessments to identify gaps in suicide prevention services and supports
  • Disseminating vital information on the signs of suicide and effective help-seeking
  • Providing resources to those affected by suicide and suicidal behavior
  • Advancing policies and practices that contribute to the prevention of suicide

The Suicide Prevention Council believes that these CORE VALUES best support suicide prevention in San Diego County:

  • A public health approach to prevention
  • Collaboration and non-competitive partnerships
  • Evidenced-based practices
  • Cultural and linguistic sensitivity
  • Coordinated and accessible services
  • Support for individuals, families, and communities

Suicide Prevention Council Strategic Plan

The San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council has now released their three-year strategic work plan.  Based on recommendations from the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Action Plan, the SPC Strategic Work Plan provides a framework for SPC activities over the next three years.  Click here to review the strategic work plan, and look for ways in which you or your organization can contribute to achieving zero suicides in San Diego County. For more information, or to join the SPC, contact Holly Salazar at hsalazar@sdchip.org.

Suicide Prevention Council Tools

The following tools have been developed to aid SPC members in their suicide prevention efforts and outreach.  Please contact Holly Salazar at hsalazar@sdchip.org if you have questions.

Suicide Prevention Council Charter.  A description of the SPC, Member Roles, and Member Responsibilities.

Suicide Prevention Council "Elevator Pitch".  Quick bullet points for use in describing the purpose and role of the SPC.

Suicide Prevention Action Plan and Suicide Prevention Council Standard Presentation.  A standard PowerPoint presentation for use by SPC members in presenting the SPAP and SPC to their organizations and/or the community.

Responsible Reporting on Suicide. Local Guidelines for Responsible Reporting on Suicide in the Media, developed by the SPC Media Subcommittee.

SPAP and SPC Sample Newsletter Text.  A 500 word description of the SPAP and the SPC, for use in newsletters and other publications to promote our work.

NEW!!  SPC 2011 Activities - DRAFT.  PLEASE REVIEW.  A compilation of suicide prevention activities taking place in 2011 by SPC partner organizations.

Suicide Prevention Council Subcommittees

Help Line Collaborative. In partnership with OptumHealth, a Help Line Collaborative was formed in 2011 on behalf of the SPC to coordinate efforts of local help lines.  The next meeting of the Help Line Collaborative is April 16, 2012 at 1:00pm at the CHIP offices.  For more information or to join, contact Beth Ruland at bruland@sdchip.org.

Training & Education Subcommittee. The SPC Training & Education Subcommittee meets as needed related to the development and/or implementation of local suicide prevention trainings and educational resources.  To join the SPC Training & Education Subcommittee, contact Beth Ruland at bruland@sdchip.org.

Media Subcommittee. The SPC Media Subcommittee was formed to impact responsible reporting on suicide in the media.  The next meeting is currently being scheduled for early March, 2012.  To join the SPC Media Subcommittee, contact Beth Ruland at bruland@sdchip.org.

Schools Collaborative. The SPC is in the beginning stages of forming a schools collaborative, in partnership with SPEAK and Yellow Ribbon San Diego, to provide resources and education to San Diego County schools interested in implementing a suicide prevention program. To assist in the development of the Schools Collaborative, contact Beth Ruland at bruland@sdchip.org.

Committee Leadership:

  • Beth Sise, Director, Prevention, Research and Physician Education, Scripps Mercy Hospital Trauma Service, Co-Chair
  • Carol Skiljan, Executive Director, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, Co-Chair

CHIP Staff Contact:

Suicide Prevention Action Plan © 2010

Home | Committee | Action Plan | Calendar | Blog

News and Current Events

  • Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Trainings for Suicide Prevention are now available! QPR is like CPR - an emergency mental health intervention. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.  Click here for more information, or to schedule a training.
  • The next SPC Committee Meeting will be held on February 28, 2012 from 10:00am - 11:30am in the CHIP Training Room; 9370 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 220, San Diego CA, 29123.


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  • A County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services Project funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)

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