Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health 988 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Suicide-prevention coalition urges county to amplify 988 messaging; commissioners agree to share resources
Summary
The Jones County suicide-prevention coalition presented data on local suicide deaths and asked the commission to help disseminate 988 crisis-line information; the board agreed to share resources on department websites and social media.
A suicide-prevention coalition representative asked Jones County commissioners on March 18 to help spread information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other local resources; commissioners agreed to post and share the materials on county websites and social media.
Coalition member speaking to the commission said the county had 21 suicide deaths in the past five years and that most decedents were male and white; the group emphasized prevention training and public awareness of 988. "First and foremost, the most important thing that we can let people know that's out there is the 988 number," the presenter said, noting the line provides 24/7 access to mental-health professionals and connects callers to local resources in Georgia.
The coalition described outreach activities already underway: school presentations (Hope Givers Live events), gatekeeper training (QPR) for EMS, law enforcement, school staff and civic groups, and social-media campaigns run by Augusta University partners. The coalition asked whether the county could place 988 information on county pages and include it on utility bills or other mailings.
Commissioners agreed staff could share the coalition—s materials on departmental websites and county social-media accounts; they also suggested using the county Facebook page and water-bill messaging when appropriate. The coalition offered to provide print materials and curriculum to support school and community events.
The commission did not take a formal vote beyond agreeing to share materials via county channels; staff were asked to coordinate with the coalition on specific placement and timing.
