Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention
The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) convened in 1999 to address suicide prevention. That same year, US Surgeon General David Satcher released A Call to Action to Prevent Suicide which declared suicide a serious national public health problem. The Call to Action marshaled federal and national expertise and resources to develop the first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. In 2002, the MCSP released the first State Plan for Suicide Prevention and obtained first-time legislative funds for suicide prevention in Massachusetts.
From its inception, the MCSP has been a public/private partnership between government agencies such as the Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health, community-based agencies and individuals.
MCSP is a broad-based inclusive alliance of suicide prevention advocates, including public and private agency representatives, policy makers, suicide loss and attempt survivors, mental health and public health consumers and providers and concerned citizens who are dedicated to working together to reduce the incidence of suicide and self-harm across the Commonwealth.
Our Accomplishments
- Spearheads advocacy efforts for a statewide suicide prevention line-item. Since FY 2002, the Massachusetts Legislature has allocated more than $28 million for suicide prevention through line-item 4513-1026.
- Secured funding through line-item 4513-1026 supports community-based suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services for veterans, older adults, college and university students, youth and young adults, mid-life adults and LGBTQ youth. Clinical and gatekeeper training has been provided to more than 31,000 advocated, teachers, clinicians, substance abuse staff, elder advocated and community providers.
- Led the development and revision of four strategic plans for suicide prevention in Massachusetts.
- Co-sponsors the annual Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Conference with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health. In its 19th year, the 2-day event typically draws over 500 participants.
- Sponsors the annual State House Suicide Prevention Awareness Event. Over 75 legislators, individuals and organizations have been presented with the”Leadership in Suicide Prevention Award”.
- Organizes 10 regional suicide prevention coalitions to foster prevention at the regional and local levels.