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Staff report: suicide prevention training underway; county announces new outreach hire
Summary
Council staff reported a train‑the‑trainer kickoff for a suicide‑prevention initiative (11 people trained, waitlist noted) and announced Lori Padilla as a new part‑time mobile outreach hire to support homeless outreach; presenters also referenced state SB3 behavioral‑health funding.
At the meeting Jessica Strung, the county’s social‑services manager and staff liaison to the Health Council, delivered a staff report outlining recent outreach and staffing activity.
Strung announced the council’s first 'train‑the‑trainer' session for a suicide‑prevention initiative and said 11 people completed the initial cohort with additional applicants on a waitlist. The council’s stated goal is to expand training opportunities widely in the community; Strung said, "We've got a goal of what would it look like to have 1,000 people trained in suicide prevention." The training was presented as part of a broader effort to increase local capacity for mental‑health and crisis response.
Strung also said the county had filled a recommended part‑time position: Lori Padilla (former Health Council chair) will serve as a casual employee assisting mobile outreach and connecting people at risk of homelessness to services. Strung described the role as a connector for people hesitant to engage with social services due to prior barriers and said the hire responds to Health Council recommendations to add staff for outreach and training.
The staff report included announcements about local outreach and partnerships: members received publicity for recent projects (Back‑to‑School initiatives and kinship/relative‑care coverage on local TV), and Joyce Richards noted the county medical center’s annual flu clinic scheduled for Sept. 27.
Strung and others also referenced state policy context: the presenter said Senate Bill 3 (SB3) has been described by state planners as setting aside $100,000,000 in current allocations to support regional behavioral‑health development, though presenters said distribution details and specifics for Los Alamos were not yet determined.
The staff report closed with operational notes: the council will continue outreach activities and coordinate event support and communications as plans and trainings progress.
