If you are anyone you know is suicidal – call or text 988 – the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Helpline

Purpose:

The St. Clair County Suicide Prevention Committee is a group of passionate people who work toward reducing the number of deaths by suicide in St. Clair County, as well as to provide education and awareness of community resources for anyone struggling with a mental health crisis resulting in thoughts of suicide.


Committee Goals:

  1. Collect current local accurate data for utilization in prevention efforts throughout St. Clair County
    • Collect annual death by suicide information from the SCC Medical Examiner’s Office to look for patterns or trends.
    • Collect suicide attempt data from local law enforcement agencies looking for patterns or trends that may help direct prevention efforts.
  2. Use local, state and national data to create community education awareness campaigns that are offered throughout St. Clair County.
  3. Support survivors of suicide as they walk through the grief journey by providing various supports: lending library, SOS Memorial Garden, SOS Support Group, other community resources as requested.

Survivor of Suicide Memorial Garden is at East China Park, on Recor Road, across from the Kiddie Scape play area.  This garden is intended to be a tranquil place for people to visit and reflect on their loved one lost to suicide.  Brick pavers may be purchased as a memorial.  New pavers are added each spring.


2024 Meeting Calendar

The Suicide Prevention Committee meets the second Tuesday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Meetings will be held virtually until it is safe to meet in larger groups. 

  • January 9, 2024
  • February 13, 2024
  • March 12, 2024
  • April 9, 2024
  • May 14, 2024
  • June 11, 2024
  • July 9, 2024
  • August 13, 2024
  • September 10, 2024
  • October 8, 2024
  • November 12, 2024
  • December 10, 2024

Printable Meeting Calendar


2023 Accomplishments

  • Work with the St. Clair County Medical Examiner and local Law Enforcement departments to collect data on deaths by suicide and suicide attempts in St. Clair County. In 2022, the there were 24 deaths by suicide; 7 of those were individuals under age 25. There were at least 398 police interventions that were suicide-related: and 43% of those interventions were individuals under 25 years of age.
  • Have expanded data collection from three police departments in 2022 to six in 2023.
  • Continued a billboard campaign to highlight the increase in youth data and to roll out the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Helpline 988.
  • Updated all marketing material to include new 988 number for the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Helpline. Collaborated with the Council on Aging to distribute updated information to seniors.
  • Created additional marketing material for teens with the 988 call or text number. Continue to share with the school systems and organizations to ensure the information gets into the hands of youth.
  • Continue to provide community trainings in person and virtually on suicide prevention which include local resources.
  • Worked with SCC Parks to create a sign that will be posted on the Avoca Trail Trestle Bridge.
  • The 8th Annual Walk2Remember, Walk2Prevent Suicide was held on October 8, 2023 with approximately 300 people in attendance.
  • Survivors of Suicide Memorial Garden in East China Park continues to be supported and utilized.
  • Two community members held different fundraisers: YOUth Matters and Crop2Remember, Crop2Prevent and raised a combined donation of $5,500.

Chair: Michael McCartan
Contact: Amy Smith, St. Clair County Community Mental Health

 

Items available by request for groups or organizations

  • T-Shirts
  • Bracelets
  • Buttons
  • Keychains
  • Brochures & information materials

Contact Amy Smith
St. Clair County Community Mental Health
(810) 966-7830
[email protected]