And once again, the example set by the Internation Association for Suicide Prevention’s (IASP) 2024-2026 theme is a great fit moving forward.

Suicide remains a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide. The Bristol County Suicide Prevention Coalition is embracing as its vision the 2024-2026 World Suicide Day (WSPD) theme:

Changing the Narrative on Suicide

The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.(© 2024 International Association for Suicide Prevention’s World Suicide Prevention Day site 

Our Bristol County goal is to continue to create an inclusive community where people learn how to reduce and prevent suicide and create hope, recovery and healing through action.

The coalition was created in 2012 and operates under the auspices of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP). At that time, the coalition partnered with the Taunton MA nonprofit Greater Taunton Community Services, Inc. and Community Counseling of Bristol County as its fiscal partners. That role is now in collaboration with the Kacie Palm Project and Impacted Family & Friends Resources.

Since its early beginning the Coalition has implemented a diverse number of activities to build a solid platform to support its mission and vision from module training to community conversations, to documentaries, to peer to peer wellness psych-educational workshop series with companion workbooks and coaching videos, to the annual education and awareness Light the Way community walks and motorcycle runs.

In 2003, Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence (SEMVAV) was formed to address domestic violence within Bristol County. It became a member of the Community Health Network Area (CHNA) 24 which served the Greater Taunton-Attleboro communities within Bristol County. In 2009, SEMAVAV received a USA Weekend News/Paul Newman Foundation National Make a Difference Day award for creating the Silver City Teen Center. The teen center became a safe haven for Taunton teens ages 13 – 19 and the center of focus for much of the coalition’s work. A major component of the teen center’s programs included education and training related to public and mental health concerns such as underage drinking, suicide prevention, mental health awareness, as well as teen dating violence and anti-bullying/cyberbullying.

At the same time, a Greater Taunton Suicide prevention Task Force was formed. When the Bristol County Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition was established as the 10th regional suicide prevention coalition within the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP), the Taunton Task Force was absorbed into Bristol County.

In 2009, members were certified to deliver QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) across the county. In 2010 and in collaboration with the Silver City Teen Center, the coalition hosted its first education/awareness community walk – Light the Way. By 2014, coalition members were certified to deliver a diverse platform of education and training modules including, Talk Saves Lives, More Than Sad: Teen Depression, safeTALK and ASIST.  

2014 was also the year that the Documentary A Voice at the Table was produced and screened at the MA Suicide Prevention Conference. The film received Honorable Mention at the 2015 SAMHSA VOICE Awards.

 A peer-to-peer portfolio of companion wellness workshops (Finding Inner Peace -for impacted family & friends), Re-Energize & Re-Connect for ideation/attempt survivors) were developed by coalition co-founders Annemarie Matulis and Tracey Medeiros.

MA DPH had already recognized the Greater New Bedford Suicide Prevention Coalition in 2008 under the direction of Rev, David Lima. The GNBSPC remains autonomous and is a collaborative member of Bristol County. Two additional suicide prevention coalitions were added for Greater Fall River/United Neighbors and Greater Attleboro.

2014 was also the year that Steve Palm, our current Chairperson, stepped in to join us. Sadly, due to losing his 14 year-old daughter, Kacie, to suicide. Steve turned his grief into action by creating the Kacie Palm Project and has become an amazing advocate and fundraiser for suicide prevention efforts for youth, across the lifespan and for veterans.

During the pandemic, in-person events were shifted to virtual for two years. As the coalition began to resume in-person workshops and events in 2022, two of the primary leaders, Annemarie Matulis and Tracey Medeiros experienced major medical setbacks. Resources continued to be delivered at a much slower pace and virtually only.

As we step into the second half of 2024, the coalition is launching an aggressive strategy to rebuild capacity and expand delivery of resources. That begins with this new Bristol County Suicide Prevention Informational site which will be followed quickly by the Impacted Family & Friends Resources site. That site will offer on demand, self-directed access to all of the existing exercises and coaching videos from our existing portfolio. In full transparency, Some will be free, others will have a very modest cost.