Suicide Prevention Awareness – Mayor’s Challenge

TAKE THE MAYOR’S CHALLENGE AND HELP US PREVENT VETERAN SUICIDE

THE GOAL OF THE MAYOR’S CHALLENGE IS TO ELIMINATE SUICIDE BY USING A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO SUICIDE PREVENTION.

Mayor’s Challenge Background

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) partnered with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to bring the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families to states and communities across the Nation.

The Mayor’s Challenge was launched in March 2018, bringing together representatives of eight cities to develop local action plans to prevent Veteran suicide. Since then, the Mayor’s Challenge program has expanded to a total of 24 cities. Teams are made up of members from community groups, local government, military, and others. SAMHSA’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) Technical Assistance (TA) Center provided technical assistance to the teams.

SAMHSA and their SMVF TA

SAMHSA’s SMVF TA Center serves as a national resource to support states, territories, and local communities in strengthening their capacity to address the behavioral health needs of military and veteran families.

Through its Governor's and Mayor's Challenges, SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs support the implementation of a public health approach for the prevention of suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. These efforts help states and communities develop the capacity to implement interagency military/civilian action plans grounded in evidence-based suicide prevention practices.

Focused Priorities

• Identify Service Members, Veterans, and their Families and screen for suicide risk
• Promote connectedness and improve care transitions
• Increase lethal means safety and safety planning

Las Vegas Mayor’s Challenge Team

Contact Las Vegas Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Gregory Gray, City of Las Vegas
Phone: (702) 229-6690
Email: ggray@LasVegasNevada.gov

Join the Team’s Monthly Meeting’s: The 3rd Monday of every month, 9:00 am -11:00 am

*Contact team lead for meeting access*

Truckee Meadows Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Vanessa Williams
Prevention Outreach Coordinator/CHW I
Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center
Behavioral Health Department
(775) 329-5162 ext. 2009
vwilliams@rsicclinic.org

Join the Team’s Monthly Meeting’s: The 4th Thursday of every month, 3:00 pm-4:30 pm

*Contact team lead for meeting access*

Elko Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Sgt. Anthony Matthews
Elko Police Department
775-777-7310 Ext 7420
775-388-8719 Cell
amatthews@elkocitynv.gov

Winnemucca Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Kevin Wiggin
Juvenile Probation Officer
Email: kevin.wiggin@humboldtcountynv.gov
Office: 775-623-6382
Cell: 775-304-3232

Pahrump Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Frank G. Carbone
Veteran Commissioner of Nye County
fgcarbone@nyecountynv.gov
(775) 209-0653

Mesquite Mayor’s Challenge Team:
Mayor Allan Litman
alitman@mesquitenv.gov
(702)280-2724