Mid-Shore Suicide Coalition Observes Suicide Prevention Week

This Suicide Prevention Week, the Mid-Shore Suicide Coalition is working to make conversations about suicide prevention more common, resources more accessible, people more informed, and support easier to find. 

The Coalition was formed in 2023 in response to growing concerns about suicide and behavioral health needs throughout the Eastern Shore. The basis for its existence is the philosophy that suicide prevention cannot be handled by one organization or one profession alone. As such, the Coalition is a partnership between Channel Marker Inc. and Mid Shore Behavioral Health Inc., with plenty of community partners along for the ride. Its members include healthcare and behavioral health providers, schools, law enforcement, community agencies, faith-based organizations, first responders, individuals with lived experience, and others.  

Cathy Cassell, CEO of Channel Marker, serves as Chair of the Coalition. Lisa Short, Adult Population Supervisor and SOAR Lead with Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, serves as Co-Lead and monitors grant funding supporting the Coalition's activities. Jackie Salb, Mid Shore Behavioral Health's Overdose Prevention Coordinator, oversees the Coalition's Lethal Means/Gun Safety aspect.

Rather than relying solely on crisis intervention, the Coalition focuses on prevention and early connection to resources. 

One of their foundational efforts is to combat the unique challenges that our rural landscape can cause when it comes to access to mental and behavioral health resources. Representatives explained that isolation, transportation barriers, economic stress, substance use, stigma, and limited access to behavioral health services can all make it harder for someone who is struggling to get the support they need. 

The Coalition’s work includes community education, awareness campaigns, trainings, professional presentations, resource distribution, social media outreach, and speaking events. One of the major goals, especially this week, is increasing awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and helping people understand that they can use it before a situation becomes an emergency. The Coalition also works to combat misinformation and stigma surrounding suicide and mental health by spreading the message that people do not have to wait until they are at their breaking point to ask for help. 

A smaller but nonetheless vital piece of the Coalition is the Lethal Means Committee. This Committee’s focus is to reduce access to potentially lethal weapons or substances during periods of crisis. The Committee distributes tools like gun locks, firearm safes, medication lock boxes, and medication disposal bags, as well as naloxone education and distribution.

Both the Coalition and their lethal means initiatives are funded through the Maryland Office of Integrated Wellness and Prevention, with funding awarded through Mid-Shore Behavioral Health.

While it is difficult to measure exactly how many lives are saved through prevention efforts like these, members of the Coalition say they have seen increased participation in trainings and events, stronger partnerships among community organizations, and greater awareness of crisis resources as signs of progress as a result of this hard work. 

The message during Suicide Prevention Week is one the Coalition hopes will continue long after the awareness campaigns end: It is okay to ask for help, it is okay to ask someone else if they are okay, and no one has to face a difficult moment alone. 

If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.