OMH's Hogan Named to Executive Committee of National Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Public-Private Collaboration Forges Next-Generation Partnerships to Address Major Public Health Threat

ALBANY, NY (09/16/2010)(readMedia)-- Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), has been named to the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a newly-formed public-private collaboration announced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on World Suicide Prevention Day (Friday 9/10).

Led by private sector co-chair Gordon Smith, former U.S. Senator, and public sector co-chair John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, the Action Alliance provides an operating structure for planning, implementation, and accountability for advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It will build on noteworthy milestones achieved thus far in national suicide prevention, and as it moves forward its focus will include:

  • Updating and advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention;
  • Development of effective public awareness and social marketing campaigns, including targeted messages for specific segments of the population that can change attitudes and reduce suicidal behaviors; and
  • Advancing suicide prevention among high-risk groups.

In the United States, suicide claims over 34,000 lives annually, the equivalent of 94 suicides per day; in New York State, nearly 1,300 people take their own lives each year, and thousands are injured and hospitalized in suicide attempts. Dozens of survivors are left behind in every suicide, questioning what went wrong and what could have been done.

Preventing suicide has been a top priority of OMH since 2005, when former Commissioner Sharon Carpinello released the state's first comprehensive plan. OMH is now moving to update its plan based on the national initiative and what has been learned in the past 5 years. In October Commissioner Hogan will convene an invitation-only forum of experts on suicide and suicide prevention, to update New York's plan of action to save lives by improving programs and practices related to suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and recovery. Commissioner Hogan also oversaw creation of the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State, which advances and supports steps to reduce suicide attempts and suicides in New York State, and promotes the recovery of persons affected by suicide.

The work of the National Action Alliance will be guided by its Executive Committee, comprised of public and private sector leaders who can bring the needed experience, expertise, and/or resources needed to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Success of the Action Alliance will be measured in the near term by changes in policies and practices, and in the longer-term by fewer attempted and completed suicides; the Action Alliance will suggest course corrections as necessary.