2019 Highlights

Advancing Our Mission to Prevent Suicide & Save Lives 2019

In 2019 Samaritans made great strides in advancing our mission to alleviate suffering, prevent suicide and save lives by providing: immediate and ongoing support to those in distress; a path to healing for those touched by suicide; crisis communications training for health providers; caring, confidential alternatives to clinical and government programs for the underserved, untreated and those most impacted by stigma.  Highlights include:

Samaritans 24-Hour Suicide Hotline Responds to 75,000 Calls  With the suicide rate increasing, demand on our hotline continued to grow. Volunteers responded to 5,000 more calls than in 2017, maintaining NYC’s most cost-effective hotline; which at $10 a call, saves lives and money, due to the $750,000 volunteers donate in free labor and the hotline reducing demand on 911 calls ($1,200) and hospitalizations from suicide attempts ($11,500).

Anti-Bullying Partnership to Prevent Violence and Suicide  To aid parents in protecting their children, Samaritans shared its expertise in developing suicide awareness programs with Kings County District Attorney’s office, NYPD, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Interfaith Medical Center, NYC Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr., and others on The Anti-Bullying Partnership to Prevent Violence and Suicide in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Demand for ‘Postvention’ (After a Suicide) Support Increases Dramatically  Schools and individuals seeking postvention services increased dramatically in 2018, tied to ongoing increases in suicides in NYC and the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, which brought added attention on the impact suicide has on millions of people. This was reflected in the close to 400 attendees at our monthly suicide survivor support group meetings.

Helping or Hurting? The Media’s Impact in Reporting Mental Health  Research proving certain types of media coverage increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals led to our Helping or Hurting? symposium, with NYU School of Journalism and SAMHSA, which addressed the impact media’s depiction of suicide has in advancing stigma.  With Annenberg Public Policy Center, NY Daily News, Politico, ESPN, WNYC.

Meeting the Needs of NYC’s Families Coping with Mental Health  In partnership with clinical staff from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, Samaritans provided professional development training to 850  DOE guidance and social work staff working at hundreds of public schools with the latest findings on self-harming behaviors and psychological disorders in youth and strategies that are effective when working with their families.

World Suicide Prevention Day: “Suicide Prevention Is Everybody’s Business”  To focus attention on a health problem impacting people of every age, race, culture, sexual identity, economic standing, Samaritans hosted a rally at City Hall on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, joined by NAMI, GMHC, Hamilton Madison House (Asian youth), Comunilife (young Latinas), STOMP Out Bullying, Thrive NYC and others.

Also: Samaritans Visits 200 NYC Public Schools to Share Best Practices and Resources Over 100 Charter School Nurses Receive Samaritans Suicide Prevention Training Trans Lifeline Utilizes Samaritans Expertise in Developing Hotline Policies

Today Samaritans is focused on developing programs and providing services that will help more people in their time of need, provide them with more support and access to important resources:

  • Increase Survivor of Suicide Loss Support Services/Group Meetings in NYC—to meet increased demand
  • Strengthen NYC’s Safety Net—re-establish citywide suicide prevention coalition of non-profits, academic and government institutions to better coordinate and increase access to existing crisis response services
  • Create Bilingual Crisis Resource Guides (Spanish and Chinese)—so those in distress can find culturally appropriate services to meet their needs (English version used by DOE and over 10,000 health providers)
  • Enhance Samaritans Hotlines’ Ability to Meet Increased Demand—expand volunteer marketing, hotline

2018 Highlights

In 2018 Samaritans made great strides in advancing our mission to alleviate suffering, prevent suicide and save lives by providing: immediate and ongoing support to those in distress; a path to healing for those touched by suicide; training in effective crisis interventions for health providers; caring, confidential alternatives to clinical/ government-run programs for the underserved, untreated and those most impacted by stigma. Highlights include:

Samaritans 24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline Responds to 75,000 Calls

1With suicide in the news so much this past year, demand on the city’s only completely confidential suicide hotline—the only 24-hour crisis service in NYC staffed entirely by volunteers—continued to increase in 2018, with our caring hotline staff responding to 5,000 more calls than the previous year.

Often the first place people call when they are in distress or are concerned about a friend or loved one, Samaritans hotline continues to provide a safe alternative to clinical services for those who are resistant to seeking help, wish to remain anonymous and/or are hesitant to access support; while maintaining the most cost-effective service in town with our 100 volunteers donating over 30,000 hours of their time, equal to $750,000 in free labor.

World Suicide Prevention Day: ‘Suicide Prevention Is Everybody’s Business’

Suicide causes more deaths worldwide than warfare, according to the World Health Organization, which is why Samaritans and the Coalition for Behavioral Health co-sponsored a rally on the steps of City Hall in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday, September 10.  Emphasizing that Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business, Samaritans and the Coalition were joined by NYC Councilmember Stephen Levin, National Association of Mental Illness, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Hamilton Madison House (Asian community), Comunilife (young Latinas), STOMP Out Bullying, UFT and others to bring attention to a growing public health problem that touches people of every age, race, culture, sexual identity, socioeconomic standing, religious and political belief.

Anti-Bullying Partnership for Prevention of Violence and Suicide2

Samaritans was honored to join Kings County District Attorney’s Office, NYPD, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Thrive NYC, Interfaith Medical Center, NYC Councilman Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. and others on The Anti-Bullying Partnership to Prevent Violence and Suicide, a coalition of City and nonprofit agencies working in Bedford-Stuyvesant to increase parents’ awareness of the role social media plays in teen violence. Samaritans contribution included knowledge and expertise in developing successful public education, awareness and community outreach programs, suicide prevention trainings, accessing life-saving resources.

Demand for ‘Postvention’ and Suicide Survivor Support Increases Dramatically

The number of schools, agencies and individuals seeking “postvention” (after a suicide) support services increased dramatically in 2018, reflecting the ongoing increase in suicides across the country.  The high-profile suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain brought increased attention to the impact of losing a loved one to suicide on millions of people from every walk of life as well as their pressing need for support while they try to cope with their loss.  Samaritans experienced record numbers of people seeking that support at our monthly Safe Place suicide

survivor meetings, with close to 400 people (over 100 of them for the first time) in attendance.  To learn more about Samaritans Safe Place suicide survivor support groups, go to: samaritansnyc.org and click on the “program” button.

Helping or Hurting? The Media’s Impact in Reporting Mental Health
with NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and SAMHSA Action Alliance

Research shows certain types of media coverage can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable 3individuals, especially when those reports detail methodology, use graphic descriptions, romanticize or glamorize the person who died—all of which can exacerbate the self-destructive impulses in any individual experiencing psychological problems. The Helping or Hurting? symposium sought to enhance students and media professional awareness on the impact their writing and depiction of those experiencing mental health problems and self-destructive behavior has in advancing stigma. Experts from Annenberg Public Policy Center, Rosalyn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health, New York Daily News, Politico, ESPN and WNYC participated.

Samaritans Meet with School Counselors to Share Best Practices & Resources

The latest CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports that 18% of NYC public high school students considered suicide during the previous year and that over 8% (approximately 25,000 students) actually attempted suicide. Recognizing the tremendous pressure this puts on school guidance counselors and social workers and how hard it is with all the demands on their time to stay current with the literature tied to the latest suicide prevention research, best practices and new resources (e.g., assessing risk in children; impact of opioid epidemic on family members; how to access up-to-date crisis, text and chat services, etc.), Samaritans public education associates personally visited over 200 public schools in 2018, reviewing this information with their front-line staff.

Meeting the Needs of NYC’s Families Coping with Mental Health
with NYC Department of Education and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone

4Based on the feedback we received from student support personnel at the NYC Department of Education (1.2 million students, 1,600 schools) regarding documented increases in psychological disorders and self-harming behavior among students, Samaritans provided 850 guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers with a series of four all-day professional development trainings that addressed these concerns. Meeting the Needs of NYC’s Children & Families Mental Health provided attendees with the latest findings on self-harming behaviors and psychological disorders in youth and strategies that have proved effective working with their families. Held citywide, in partnership with clinical staff from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

Charter School Nurses Need Suicide Prevention Training Too!

Responding to a request to provide over 100 NYC Charter School nurses with the same benefits derived from attending Samaritans suicide prevention professional development trainings as their DOE public school student support personnel counterparts, Samaritans presented a specially tailored program to meet their specific needs. Responding to People Who Are Depressed and Suicidal provided Non-Public/Charter School Nurses with an overview of suicide as a public health problem, how stigma can cause individuals resistance to seeking help, the keys to determining risk, assessing suicide ideation and accessing important resources and community referrals.

Friends of Samaritans Gather to Fight Stigma and Make 6th Annual Walkathon a Huge Success

With the goal of countering the stigma attached to mental health, 5which prevents so many people who are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems from getting help, Samaritans current and former volunteers, board members, staff, survivors of suicide loss and others concerned about this issue gathered on a beautiful September day to raise over $40,000 in needed funds in support of Samaritans hotline, public education and survivor programs.

 

2015 Highlights

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Program Continues to Grow (Direct Service)

The interest in Samaritans Safe Place support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide continues to grow, with 272 attendees participating in our monthly meetings last year, over 100 of them attending for the first time.  Samaritans support groups and other survivor programs provide emotional support and a safe, confidential environment for people who are not only grieving the loss of someone they loved but are also often dealing with the stigma and misconceptions many people have about suicide. Go to: samaritansnyc.org for more information.

YellowRibbonHandSamaritans Focus of World Suicide Prevention Day Article on Helping

 On World Suicide Prevention Day 2015, an in-depth article was posted on Medical Daily that explored the approach utilized by Samaritans crisis response centers around the world when responding to someone who is suicidal.  The piece provided guidelines on effective listening, keeping the focus on the person you are trying to help and utilizing community resources.

24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline Responds to Most Calls in 30 Years (Direct Service)

NYC’s only completely confidential 24-hour suicide hotline is often the first place people call when they are in distress or are concerned about a friend, loved one, client or colleague.  Last year, our 120 volunteers from the city’s diverse communities answered over 82,000 hotline calls from people in crisis, the most calls in our history, donating 30,000 hours of their time (equal to $750,000 in free labor).  Samaritans hotline continues to provide a point of entry into mental health care for the underserved, those hesitant to seek help as well as those who wish to maintain their confidentiality. In contract with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

conference6Heightening Our Awareness, Suicide Prevention Education (Professional Development)

Samaritans presented suicide prevention and public awareness workshops, crisis communications and hotline trainings and cultural wellness workshops to 1,375 individuals, including 846 NYC Department of Education staff who work in 598 schools, 283 health professionals from 96 community-based and government agencies and 168 students, reducing stigma, enhancing their knowledge and improving crisis responses, with funding from the NYC Council and the Neuberger Berman Foundation

HeartBanner

Samaritans Logo and Rebranding

Samaritans has unveiled a new logo and visual concept that we are utilizing in our hotline posters, volunteer ads, fundraising team T-shirts and other marketing endeavors.  Our goal was to create imaging that was vibrant, colorful and contained a positive, life-affirming message.  We hope you like it!

 

 

Samaritans HonoreHopeAndLifed with 2015 ‘Hope and Life Award’ by NYS Office of Mental Health

The Suicide Prevention Center of NY honored Samaritans with their 2015 Hope and Life Award “for extraordinary leadership in suicide prevention” at a special ceremony on September 16. Stating “suicide is everybody’s business,” the ceremony celebrated those who have made a difference and advanced the prevention initiatives of the NYS Office of Mental Health, including the founding SPCNY team, Crisis Services of Erie County and other key leaders in the field.

“Our Unspoken Problem,” Asian/Immigrant Mental Wellness (Community Advocacy)

Recognizing that the Asian/Immigrant Community has one of the highest suicide rates in the country and that this is directly related to cultural stigmatization and a high incidence of  untreated mental health problems, Samaritans collaborated with Hamilton Madison House to present the “Our Unspoken Problem” workshop in June at the Queens Library in Flushing for those who work with, ca
re for and treat members of the Asian/Immigrant community who are struggling to cope wit
h mental disorders, gambling problems and other addictive behaviors.

Samaritans 3rd Annual Walkathon Brings Friends Together to Prevent SuicideWalkathonTees

Wanting to bring attention to Suicide Prevention Month in NYC and to help raise needed funds for Samaritans hotline, public education and survivor programs, 80 current/former volunteers, friends and survivors took part in Samaritans 3rd Annual Be A Friend Walkathon at Hudson River Park on a beautiful September day that resulted in $35,000 in donations by over 500 of their family members, friends and colleagues

Shaping Suicide Prevention Policy on a National, Statewide & Local Level (Advocacy)

Samaritans continues to be an active member of Befrienders Worldwide (our international association),  work with the National Council for Suicide Prevention (consulting with SAMHSA, NIMH and other government bodies helping shape suicide prevention initiatives in the US) the NYS Office of Mental Health (in advancing effective statewide goals to expand suicide prevention and safety planning education) and the New York City Council (maintaining and expanding suicide awareness, access to resources and the needs of at-risk populations).

Crisis Communications and Responding to People in Crisis Podcasts (Public Education)

Responding to countless requests over the years from both lay and professional health providers who have not been able to attend a Samaritans training to be able to hear our presentations, podcasts on active listening and effective responses to people in distress  have been created that capture the essence of those programs.  Go to You Tube and search “Samaritans Crisis Communications” or click here

2014 Highlights

24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline Responds to Most Calls Ever  (Direct Service)

NYC’s only confidential 24-hour suicide prevention hotline is often the first place people call when they are in distress or are concerned about a friend, loved one, client or colleague.  Last year, Samaritans 120 volunteers answered over 76,000 hotline calls from people in crisis, the most calls in our history, donating 30,000 hours of their time (equal to $750,000 in free labor).  Samaritans continues to be the go-to hotline for those resistant to seeking help as well as those for whom complete confidentiality is a significant issue in determining where to seek help.  In contact with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Crisis Communications & Safety Planning Training Conferences for the NYC Department of Education Student Support Personnel  (Professional Development)

Samaritans presented professional development workshops to 797 NYC Department of Education staff
who work in 479 schools providing the keys to effective active listening, identification of warning signs and risk factors, suicide assessments and the steps to follow when designing individual safety plans with clients who are in distress or suicidal. Funding provided by the New York City Council and Neuberger Berman Foundation.

Samaritans ‘Be A Friend’ Marathon Team Members Run to Save Lives (Fundraising)

Starting with last year’s New York Road Runner’s Half Marathon, Samaritans has begun to garner support from individuals who compete in marathons, triathlons and other athletic activities.  Many compete and help to raise funds in support of our suicide prevention programs and services in memory of a friend or family member who they lost from suicide, others because they are volunteers or friends of the organization.  If you are interested in joining Samaritans ‘Be A Friend’ team, contact us at: friends@samaritansnyc.org

Samaritanscandles Contributes to Ongoing National Dialog on Suicide in Huffington Post

Recognizing the role Samaritans plays nationally and internationally in advancing suicide prevention and providing support services, the Huffington Post  has asked us to provide ongoing commentary on the issues that we identify as most pressing and significant from our perspective.  Our latest contribution, Emotional Rescue, which focused on the aftermath of suicide, can be seen at:  http://huff.to/1wPZ0zs

Enhancing Community Preparedness to Respond to Crisis Scenarios in Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn Neighborhoods  (Public Education/Community Outreach)

This project was designed to increase students, parents, teachers and health care providers awareness, knowledge and understanding of the causes, incidence and impact of depression on community residents and, relative to the audience, the keys to responding effectively.  The program consisted of: on-site presentations to 1,362 students, parents, guidance counselors, social workers, patient advocates and consumers at 30 sites; an education and awareness outreach campaign to hundreds of sites that serve at-risk populations in their communities; distribution of the comprehensive Suicide Prevention, Crisis Response & Safety Planning guide to all participants.

Beyond Surviving (Support for Survivors of Suicide Loss)Elena

Through a grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health, Samaritans developed this initiative to provide ongoing series of life-affirming events, workshops and creative gatherings for survivors to allow them to explore the aftermath of suicide in a manner that promotes hope and healing.  The first

year included a survivor forum, a Writing a Path to Healing workshop (with Carla Fine), a panel discussion following the film,  Elena, by Petra Costa and the development of a Survivors of Suicide Loss resource guide.

Shaping Suicide Prevention Policy on a National, Statewide & Local Level (Advocacy)

Samaritans continues to be an active member of the National Council for Suicide Prevention, consulting with SAMHSA, NIMH and other government bodies helping to shape national suicide prevention policies and initiatives for a health problem that the CDC reports now leads to more fatalities annually than automobile accidents. Samaritans also consults and collaborates with the NYS Office of Mental Health in advancing effective statewide approaches to expand suicide prevention and safety planning education and awareness; and, works closely with the New York City Council in promoting suicide prevention planning on a citywide and community level and in providing outreach to the underserved and those who are highest risk for suicide.

big-easySt. Bart’s on the Park ‘Fat Tuesday’ Benefit  (Event)

The landmark St. Bart’s on the Park was the site of a Samaritans benefit hosted by our Board President, Wes Puryear, an Executive Director at JP Morgan in support of our suicide prevention programs.  With significant participation by JP Morgan staff and many of our long-standing friends,   close to 250 guests were entertained by the jazz band Talisman, took part in a silent auction and enjoyed New Orleans-inspired cocktails and food. Make sure to join us next year when our benefit will take place in March.

Participation in ‘Suicide Survivor’ Support Program Increases 100%  (Direct Service)

The interest in Samaritans Safe Place support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide has grown at an historic rate, with 239 attendees participating in our twice monthly meetings so far this year, over 90 of them attending for the first time.  Samaritans support groups and other survivor programs  provide emotional support and a safe, confidential environment for people who are not only grieving the loss of someone they loved but who are also, frequently, dealing with the stigma and misconceptions many people have about suicide.

school-based-hearing

Oversight: School-Based Mental Health Services (Public Policy)

As the only community-based organization in NYC devoted to suicide prevention, and the group credited with bringing suicide prevention education to the NYC public school system, Samaritans was asked to provide perspective and insight into the challenges faced by the Department of Education in identifying, responding to and treating at-risk students. The NYC Council Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services jointly with the Committee on Education.

strengthening-the-safety-netStrengthening the Safety Net–Saving Lives in New York City (Expert Symposium)

Paralleling the work of SAMHSA, nationally, and NYS OMH, statewide, to improve efforts to prevent suicide by engaging in dialogues with those who have the most knowledge and experience and are in the best position to impact change, Samaritans hosted an expert roundtable that brought together 40 of the top people in the field in research, program design, education public policy and service delivery (from Columbia, NYC Department of Health, NYU, FDNY, Catholic Charities, Children’s Aid Society, Coalition for the Homeless, Trevor Project, etc.) to develop strategies and linkages to improve the current state of crisis response in NYC.

training-participantNYC Department of Education Suicide Prevention, Postvention & Resources Planning Training for Frontline Student Support Personnel (Public Education)

With the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey reporting that 10% of NYC public high school students attempt suicide every year, Samaritans was contracted by the NYC Department of Education to provide professional development trainings for their frontline student support personnel—guidance counselors, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, family liaisons, etc.—in all five boroughs.  Through a series of trainings, Samaritans served 675 school staff from over 500 school sites throughout the city.  The intensive inter-active training addressed staff concerns and discomfort in dealing with suicide, the keys to identification and effective responses, risk assessment models and the information, resources and referrals that they need to comply with department regulations on suicide prevention and individual site suicide prevention planning.

resource-guideNYC Guide to Suicide Prevention (Education Materials)

Recognizing the many issues involved in caring for and responding to people in distress, Samaritans has created NYC’s first comprehe­nsive guide to helping people in crisis. Based on 25 years experience providing training and technical support to over 30,000 caregivers, the guide provides details and linkages to key information tied to identifying and assessing suicide risk, responding to suicide survivors, utilizing accessible resources, free training, major research, etc. Funding from the NYS Office of Mental Health.

 

Samaritans Participates in New National Strategy to Prevent Suicide (Advocacy)

The launching of the “National Strategy for Suicide Prevention” by Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Army, John McHugh and Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin was an historic milestone in combating the 10th leading cause of death in the US.  The Strategy provides a blueprint for those working in schools, hospitals, community health centers, local and state governments, the media and countless others to improve suicide prevention efforts, strengthen safety nets and develop more effective approaches to responding to those who are depressed, overwhelmed and experiencing trauma. The National Council for Suicide Prevention, of which Samaritans is a founding member, was an ongoing consultant to SAMHSA in the development of the Strategy, providing feedback and perspective on its design and language.

cantor-2012Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day (Corporate Recognition)

Every year Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial services organization that lost hundreds of employees on September 11 commemorates those they lost by reaching out to help others. Charity Day was originally conceived to raise money for the Cantor Relief Fund to assist the families of Cantor employees who they lost but now reaches out to help and honor charitable organizations that do important work. This year, Samaritans of New York was honored to be invited to participate in this remarkable event.

Addressing Veteran Suicide (Public Policy)

Samaritans was asked to provide expert testimony by City Council policy staff suggesting strategies and approaches to consider in developing a comprehensive response to the increased rates of suicide amongst our soldiers and returning veterans with the goal of helping those returning home. A population that has more soldiers dying from suicide than warfare, an over 100% increase from 2001 to 2009. NYC Council Committee on Veterans, NYC Council on Mental Health.

soundwaveHotline Market Analysis (Market Research)

Collecting and analyzing data has always been a challenge for Samaritans due to the absolute anonymous and confidential nature of our work. But ZS Associates, a global management consulting firm with expertise in sales and marketing issues took Samaritans on pro bono and undertook a series of research projects to assist us in analyzing and quantifying program and market research information helping us to better understand those we serve, how to reach them and further document the benefits of our services.

STOMP OUT Bullying (Program Development)

Love Our Children, USA is a national nonprofit organization fighting all forms of violence and neglect against children, especially bullying, cyber bullying and Internet safety. Samaritans was asked to provide guidance in developing the guidelines and procedures to be utilized in the operation of their new STOMP OUT Bullying Chatline, an Internet “chat” project that will respond to youth who are or have been victims of some form of bullying. Samaritans also designed and presented the initial Chatline training program.

Exploring Increases in Latina Suicide Attempts (Public Policy)

Responding to the recent CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey that revealed significant increases in NYC Latina high school students who made a suicide attempt that required medical attention, Samaritans provided testimony focusing on multi-faceted community-based responses and ‘enhancing protective factors’ at a public hearing held by NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, NYC Council Committee on Women’s Issues, NYC Council Committee on Civil Rights.

conference-groupNew York City SUMMIT on Suicide Prevention (Public Education)

NYC’s first comprehensive professional development conference focusing on suicide prevention brought together over 400 policy makers and mental and public health providers from non-profits, government agencies and the school system to learn about best practices, promising programs, cultural diversity, high-risk populations and effective interventions from 40 top experts, program designers and researchers.

 

hand-support‘A Helping Hand’ Over the Holidays (Community Outreach)

Samaritans Volunteers visited 216 senior centers, out-patient facilities, drug rehabilitation programs, food pantries, unemployment offices and other agencies that serve at-risk populations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn to provide support and resources over the holiday season. Sites included: Salvation Army Bay Ridge, Sunset Park Senior Center, American Legion Post 1833, St. Margaret Mary Church Food Pantry, Brooklyn AIDS Taskforce, Puerto Rican Family Institute, Jacobi Medical Center Geriatric Outpatient Clinic, Inwood House Young Fathers Program, Good Shepherd Services and others.

Evaluating Law Enforcement Responses to Suicide (National Research)

Samaritans undertook an extensive review of existing literature and resources to identify the need for, and possible contents of, a training program for law enforcement personnel on appropriate and effective responses to suicide survivors and attempters. Our work resulted in the compilation, cataloguing and summary of existing educational materials and training curricula for law enforcement on topics related to suicide prevention and response; and interviews with high-ranking US law enforcement officials to identify their priorities, protocols, training and responses at the scene of suicides. Funding by Suicide Prevention Resource Center, in contract with SAMHSA, US Department of Health & Human Services.

Increasing Faith-Based Responses to Suicide (Public Education)

Brought important information and prevention planning to groups in NYC that are ideal settings to advance prevention but traditionally have not benefited from suicide public health initiatives. Samaritans conducted community outreach and disseminated education materials to religious and spiritual groups from a cross-section of NYC’s diverse cultures and belief systems (Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Protestant, etc.) and trained psychology and social work staff at over 100 NYC religious schools. NYS Office of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Education Project.

Shaping Media Reports on the Economy and Suicide (News Articles)

As the impact of the economic downturn continued and research shows how it leads to depression and suicide, the media consistently turned to Samaritans to provide a humanistic perspective. The New York Times devoted an entire column on our hotline (Looking In on the City’s Samaritans At a ‘Dark Time’ in the Land) while Condé Nast Portfolio, Time Magazine, AM New York, Associated Press and New Statesman all explored our view that it is not just the economy but an ongoing series of complex problems (anxiety, unemployment, terrorism, fear of the future, etc.) that combined have contributed to a country in crisis.

british-journal-swBritish Journal of Social Work Evaluates Efficacy of Samaritans Program (Journal Article)

Training Outcomes from the Samaritans of New York Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programme Among Community- and School-Based Staff is based on evaluations of Samaritans three-hour core professional development training provided to NYC public school and government agency staff who completed a pre and post measure of self-efficacy to identify a person in distress or in a suicidal crisis. Conducted by Monica Matthieu, PhD, LCSW, Washington University and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, results showed participants scored significantly higher on a measure of self-efficacy after training (M=3.7, SD=0.6) than before (M=3.3, SD=0.7) (t= -13.24, p<.05).

‘Meals-On-Wheels’ Outreach Helps Homebound Elderly (Advocacy)

Samaritans’ work with Citymeals-On-Wheels, which provides nutritious meals and human company to homebound elder New Yorkers, is an example of our collaborations with countless community-based agencies that serve high-risk populations. Samaritans distributed over 14,000 We All Need Someone To Lean On… heart-shaped refrigerator magnets promoting the availability of our 24-hour hotline in the agency’s special holiday hot meal program which led to many isolated elderly New Yorkers calling us and receiving free access to ongoing emotional support.

Training AirCraft Casualty Grief Mentors (Program Development)

At the suggestion of the NYC Department of Health, Samaritans was initially asked to provide assistance and guidance in the development of this national volunteer organization devoted to providing those who have lost loved ones in air disasters with support from individuals who have experienced similar losses. This led to our consulting on the design of their policies and procedures and the development and presentation of their Grief Mentor training to increase their consistency and effectiveness in responding to those whose losses result from the smallest to the largest aircraft disasters and tragedies like 9/11.

American Red Cross 9/11 Recovery Grant Project (Crisis Response)

Samaritans was selected to receive an American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Grant to provide and increase the levels of emotional support, education and training for thousands of people impacted by the events of 9/11. The project provided an alternative to traditional counseling–something many people resisted due to their concerns about confidentiality, the stigmas tied to “getting help” and their fears on how it might affect them professionally–serving mental and public health agencies, businesses and corporations, 9/11 family groups, faith organizations and schools providing services to those impacted by 9/11; as well as those directly impacted by 9/11 (family members, recovery workers, survivors, etc.).

Reducing Suicide Attempts Amongst NYC Tourists (Public Education) 

Unfortunately, NYC with its large transient population and heavy tourist trade, especially around the holidays, is too frequently a destination for suicide attempts. This is especially true in Manhattan where over 10% of the suicides are committed by visitors, a fact that led to Samaritans education and awareness campaign providing key staff at over 250 hotels, bars and health clubs with the information and resources they need to identify and respond to customers who are depressed and at-risk for suicide.