Johnson County Coroner and Upstream Prevention's Atlas team recognized for suicide-loss response

Chief Deputy Coroner Derek Wilson and representatives from Upstream Prevention described the county's Atlas loss-response program and asked commissioners to recognize the volunteer response team that supports families after suicide.

Wilson said the coroner's office partnered with Upstream Prevention beginning in early 2021 and that the program began active responses in 2022. The Atlas team provides on-scene support, resources and ongoing follow-up for survivors; Wilson said Johnson County's program is one of only a few in the state with an organized response team.

Kathleen Radcliffe, speaking for Upstream Prevention, said the volunteer team has 13 response members and that they typically send two responders to scenes after notification by the coroner's office. The team offers resource referrals, ongoing check-ins (with permission) and supports survivor engagement with community support groups, including an international survivor of suicide loss day event the organization helps host each November.

Radcliffe said the county program has reached more than 160 survivors after about 54 deaths since the program began responding, with follow-up continuing over months and years to connect survivors to services and support.

Why it matters: the program aims to shorten the time to support for survivors and reduce future risk of suicide by providing immediate, sustained outreach and connection to community resources.

Commissioners applauded the team and the coroner's office for the partnership; the recognition was ceremonial and did not require further board action.