Suicide prevention task force meets in Salina
Development of a safety tip line to better reach potentially suicidal youths, current reporting options and prevention resources and ways to reduce the stigma around suicide were a few of the topics discussed in Salina Tuesday during a meeting of the Tower Mental Health Foundation and Attorney General’s Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force.
The task force, which will meet monthly in communities across the state, was formed in June to survey and report on Kansas suicide prevention resources and recommend steps to address needs.
The task force is composed of nine members involved in professional areas ranging from education and politics to law enforcement and the medical field.
Jennifer Schmidt, co-chairman of the board and clinical associate professor of law at the University of Kansas, said there is good work being done around the state.
"So, how can we get all of the experience and expertise together and discuss what is really a huge state and national problem?” she asked.
Encouraging reports
Crystal Moe, director of administrative operations for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, told board members about information attained during the National Summit on School Safety Tip Lines in Salem, Ore.
She talked about the importance of developing a centralized reporting mechanism — whether via text message, phone, an app, email, chat — for youth to confidentially or anonymously share real-time information, photos and more about suicide.
“It is factually proven that the kids know what’s going on, even if the adults do not,” she said.
Moe shared data from a Federal Bureau of Investigation report conducted earlier this year that states that 93 percent of individuals who knew about active shooting incidents between 1974 and 2000 were a peer, sibling or friend, but said nothing.
Moe said students develop a so-called “code of silence” and feel embarrassed or fear retaliation so they don't tell anyone about a friend potentially committing a crime or suicide.
She talked about apps and hotlines created in other states that are successful at encouraging youth to report potential suicides.
“The tip line would not replace anything that we’re already doing. This does not mean we’re going to necessarily repeal anything,” she said. “The tip line just adds an additional layer of reporting that kids are comfortable using.”
Reduce the stigma
Joe Karlin, founder of the Tom Karlin Foundation, named after his son Thomas Joseph Karlin, who committed suicide in 2011, spoke about efforts he’s taking to reduce teen suicide through education and awareness.
“What we try to do is empower those teens to understand what depression looks like, to understand what potential suicidal behavior looks like and empower them to feel comfortable going to someone to speak about it,” he said. “If those aren’t working, give them an app or something for them to communicate. We’ve also got to address it year-round and make it part of everything we do, which would help to reduce the stigma.”
Karlin was joined by his daughter Mary Beth Karlin, 17, who talked about making sure youth are involved when developing an app or communication method for their use.
The best ways to reach teens, Mary Beth said, is to appoint a teen advisory board and use social media, smartphones and community symposiums to spread the word.
Another important aspect is “to keep things positive, because you don’t want to use an app that’s always negative and just about suicide and depression," she said.
Red-flag laws
Monica Kurz, director of the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center, talked about the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis in Lawrence and providing suicide prevention training and assistance to communities across the state.
Kurz recommended the task force review the state’s Suicide Prevention Plan to identify unmet goals, develop a means restriction for youth access to firearms and potential red-flag laws that will allow for firearms to be taken out of a household if needed.
The task force’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 31 in Iola. The final meeting will be in December.
To submit suggestions or to present information to the board, call 1-800-828-9745 or email general@ag.ks.gov.
Members of the task force are:
• Jennifer Schmidt (co-chairwoman), clinical associate professor of law at the University of Kansas
• Dr. Andy Tompkins (co-chairman), retired educator
• State Sen. Molly Baumgardner, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee
• Randy Combs, Kearny County sheriff's deputy
• Leo Herrman, associate professor of psychology at Fort Hays State University
• State Rep. Russ Jennings, chairman of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee
• Kathryn Mosher, executive director of Central Kansas Mental Health Center
• Dorthy Stucky Halley, director of victim services division for the Kansas Attorney General Office
• Randy Watson, Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education