OCSPC invites the community to join in a week of action for September Suicide Prevention month.
Central NY: To honor September Suicide Prevention month, The Onondaga County Suicide Prevention Coalition (OCSPC,) a collaboration of stakeholders devoted to creating a suicide-safer community, announces their third annual “Chalk the Walk” from Sept. 24, until Sept. 29. Those interested in receiving a free Chalk the Walk kit are encouraged to submit a Request form on the OCSPC site or visit the link directly at: forms.gle/HM3jtkXszS6zhhUH6.
The coalition invites the community to get involved by creating chalk art with heartfelt messages and images that offer hope and resilience for those who struggle with mental wellness and those who have lost someone to suicide. OCSPC encourages social media users to share their chalk creations and tag them, (@OCSPC315 on Instagram, and @OnondagaCountySuicidePrevention on Facebook,) and to use the hashtag #CNYSavesLives.
Supporters can use the #CNYSavesLives hashtag any time throughout the month of September to show those who are struggling that support is all around them.
The goal of OCSPC is to link the community with suicide prevention resources, to reduce stigma, to promote help-seeking, and to save lives.
Heaven Longo, marketing and development manager at Contact Community Services, a community based, not for profit agency that supports the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health, said, “Every year, this is one of the events a lot of community members look forward to. It’s a great time to share community resources and to promote dialogue around mental health.”
Longo encourages supporters to learn more about The Onondaga County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
There are many ways to get involved in the work of the coalition along with their annual “Chalk the Walk.”
This may include attending general meetings, working on one of their committees, taking or providing a training program or donating time. If you’d like to learn more about participating in the Coalition, please email [email protected] .
A member will contact you to discuss your interests.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use, or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988.
You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
OCSPC is a collaboration of stakeholders devoted to creating a suicide safe community.
The organization currently has 40 members including service providers, volunteers and invested community members.
Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide.
OCSPC is committed to providing our community with evidence-based trainings and workshops.
Members work collaboratively to assess the needs of Onondaga County residents and to offer timely and tailored resources to individuals, families and other groups who have been impacted by suicide.
Contact Community Services, Inc., is a community based, not for profit agency that supports the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health of children, youth and adults.
Contact Community Services helps individuals and organizations create positive personal and social change to improve the quality of lives in central New York.
To learn more visit their website at contactsyracuse.org/.
You can find Contact Community Services on Instagram at ContactSyracuse, LinkedIn at Contact Community Services and on their Facebook page at Contact Community Services, Inc.
