NYS OMH Honors RNN-TV and NYS Bridge Authority for Suicide Prevention Efforts

ALBANY, NY (09/26/2007)(readMedia)-- Mike Hogan, Ph.D., Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today presented the first OMH Suicide Prevention Awards to RNN-TV and its general manager Richard French III, and to the New York State Bridge Authority, in recognition of both organizations’ substantial contributions to the prevention of suicide.

“RNN-TV and the NYS Bridge Authority have both showed tremendous initiative and leadership in the area of suicide prevention,” said OMH Commissioner Hogan. “Both have taken real steps toward preventing these tragedies, and have recognized the importance of the human connection in preventing suicides. I commend their consideration and compassion for others, and I am pleased to publicly recognize and applaud their contributions toward saving lives in New York State.”

RNN-TV and French were honored for RNN’s media coverage around suicide prevention efforts. The television station’s news coverage of regional suicide prevention efforts, including an outstanding series on suicides in the Hudson Valley area, effectively put a face on the tragedy of suicide by providing valuable information about risks, warning signs, and steps someone can take if they are concerned about the possibility of suicide.

The State Bridge Authority was honored for taking definitive action to prevent suicides on the Authority’s Hudson Valley bridges. The Authority installed lifeline phones on four Hudson River bridges this year, with the phones providing a direct connection to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In their first few weeks of operation, the new bridge phones have already proven effective in saving lives.

“Studies have shown that suicide attempts are crisis-oriented and acute in nature. We have learned that if a suicidal person can be helped through his or her crisis, chances are extremely good that he or she won’t die by suicide later. Prevention programs like these can truly make a difference and save lives,” said OMH Commissioner Hogan.

Richard French III, General Manager of RNN-TV said, “We are gratified that RNN has been honored for bringing the issue of suicide prevention and bridge safety to our region. We believe that if one life is saved we will have performed an invaluable public service to the community we so proudly serve. In listening to the Office of Mental Health we saw an issue where lives could be saved by a single phone connected to caring professionals. We are pleased to salute the Bridge Authority for responding to our call for action by placing Call Boxes on its bridges and now hope other public agencies such as the MTA will follow suit.”

Bridge Authority Chairman James P. Sproat said, “We are honored by this award. The leadership Commissioner Hogan and Governor Spitzer have shown in suicide prevention is noteworthy and set the groundwork for the plan the Bridge Authority adopted. This is proof that agencies with very different missions, working together for the benefit of all New Yorkers, can make a difference.”

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