From the Desk of the Publisher
It was three years ago that the original research and design was completed for the nation's first suicide prevention journal aimed at advocates, and other concerned people who wanted to take action to prevent suicide in their own communities. Since the summer of 2002 we have produced over 15 packed issues with the latest in best practices, technology applications for crisis intervention, legislative initiatives, grant opportunities, and the latest findings in the research field. Prior to the inaugural issue in 2002 all journals relating to suicide were written by and for the research community. Most of our readers who would go on to creating effective programs in their own right did not understand the terminology or symbols nor do they need or care to even today. They knew instinctively what would prevent suicide and it started with caring and took root with being well informed.
Some key highlights of those three years of Preventing Suicide the National Journal are a series on post partum depression and the potential for suicide and filicide. Since that ground breaking article in October 2002 there have been many high profile suicides and filicides that have riveted our nation and caused more than 170 million dollars to be appropriated towards early detection and treatment of post partum depression. We launched 1-800-PPD-MOMS and worked with states like Virginia, Texas and California to produce brochures that would reach new moms as they left the hospital for the first time to go home to a radically changed life with a helpless baby and the weight of the world on their shoulders. It was very gratifying to me when my own wife was given such a brochure as she and I left with our new son last October (three years from the date of the publishing of that series). We made a difference and we recognize how far we still have to go to end the needless suffering of close to 800,000 depressed moms during the first year of their babies' life. To not have that special needed bonding will set the stage for many psychological disorders in later years. This is early prevention and still less than 1% are screened and treated.
Our third issue was a touching tribute to my hero and the man who championed the grants that most of the suicide prevention programs today are funded by, Paul Wellstone. While his life's work was a giant one among men his legacy for mental health parity still sits stalled in congress.
We devoted entire issues to topics as Jail Suicide, 2-1-1, College suicide, history of the Community Mental Health System, and the latest views from leading experts on where suicide prevention is today and where it is heading. In addition each issue was packed with reviews of books, films, and research proving suicide is preventable and that suicide hotlines are effective.
After the College suicide issue we launched in response to the demand for a teen and young adult crisis line with the Youth America Hotline 1-877-YOUTHLINE and took over the management of the Grad Help line 1-877-GRADHLP. These two programs were announced at a press conference on Capitol Hill February 2nd of 2005 with impassioned speeches by Congressman Kennedy (D) RI, and rising stars of the band Sugarcult, Marko72 and Tim Pagnotta riveted a standing room only crowd of punk rockers, policy makers and concerned advocates. In addition to raising awareness of these two new and much needed services the event kicked off KBHC's 5th annual Take Action Tour and speakers called for the full funding of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (see Federal Investigator) and passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act. For information on the tour's successes and the press garnered from this two month outreach effort where over 40,000 new signatures were gathered in support of these two acts see our Happenings Section.
This inaugural on-line edition starts off with more of the same and a complete review of the recent three year study of the National Hopeline Network and how effective crisis intervention is when the best practices we know are followed. We break ground again as the first interactive online suicide prevention journal. With our on-line edition when you see a hyperlink all you need to do it click on it and it will take you to the research, full text, or source of additional information the writer used in researching the article.
We will also go back into our archives and pull out gems that are evergreen and with the new technology adaptation you can easily go deeper into the news and studies to become better informed. I have always consider imitation the finest form of flattery so it is with great pride that we acknowledge our former Managing Editors fine effort with her new magazine ASP. We wish her the best and with our on-line edition will keep you informed between the editions as to what is current and relevant as it happens. We will update weekly with entire new editions each month.
In this first edition of the on-line version of Preventing Suicide the National Journal we have an update on the National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE and Kristin Brooks Hope Center's efforts to continue to grow and serve the nation as it has for close to eight years. While the federal funding support ceased in December the private sector has responded tremendously.
There is also a complete listing of all grants available for funding suicide prevention programs on the federal level. You will find that in the Federal Investigator section.
The newest program of the Kristin Brooks Hope Center in partnership with Copline of New Jersey is
1-800-COPLINE which received support recently from Governor Jeb Bush of Florida. You will find this in the Happenings section.
A complete description and tour of the Crisis Response Information and Evaluation System (CRIES) which was used to conduct the evaluation of the National Hopeline Network during the last three years can be found in the Featured Articles section.
As a reader of the monthly print version you have no doubt relied on our calendar of events. The online version is even better as you do not have to wait a full month-two months for listing but can get them in real time as they are updates weekly or in the case of major news worthy items the next day.
We look forward to your feed back and as in our print version you will find moving and informative letters to the editor.
The on-line journal has the same illustrious Board of Editors it had with the print version. Meet the experts who write and review the content to make sure we get it right before you rely on it. You will find them in the About Preventing Suicide the National Journal section.
