LEONARDTOWN, MD (January 26, 2016) – The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP) will host a community presentation provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The HSMP is a community-driven coalition of partners working together to improve health in St. Mary’s County. The coalition mobilizes members through four action teams to address the priority health issues in St. Mary’s County including Behavioral Health, Access to Care, Healthy Eating & Active Living and Tobacco Free Living.
The upcoming presentation will be held at the next meeting of the Behavioral Health Action Team (BHAT) on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Health Department located at 21580 Peabody Street in Leonardtown. Reducing the rates of suicide in our community has been identified as a priority by the Behavioral Health Action Team.
“The loss of life from suicide and the devastating and lasting effects of that loss on loved ones and friends is a tragedy that our community can and should work to prevent,” said Gerry McGloin, BHAT Co-Chair and Executive Director of Pathways, Inc. “In some segments of the population, especially, the rates are high and increasing. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, one of the featured presenters at the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration’s recent Suicide Conference, is a resource that may help us form a better response.”
This presentation is open to any community members who are interested in learning more about how to prevent suicide in St. Mary’s County. Visit healthystmarys.com/suicide-prevention for local statistics, resources and information. Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership membership is free, and all interested organizations and community members are invited to join. Visit healthystmarys.com or call (301) 475-4323 for more information or to sign up for the free HSMP e-newsletter.
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