1-877-993-4357
Linda Wagner
Primary Care Suicide Prevention County Task Force Coordinator
108 S. Claude A Lord Blvd.
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: 1-570-621-2890
Debbie Heim
CASSP Coordinator
108 S. Claude A Lord Blvd.
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: 1-570-621-2890
The Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force has been in existence since 2004. The Task Force was created as a subcommittee of the Schuylkill County Vision Mental Health Commitee, created in 1999, to provide public information, reduce the stigma of accessing services, and train providers in the recognition of suicidal behavior and provision of timely services. This Task Force has addressed the high suicide rate in the county through public education forums, conferences, creating a speakers’ bureau, and distributing “Do Something” cards. These cards include information about risk factors, signs of suicide, as well as county resources available for assistance.
The Task Force, in conjunction with the Mental Health Subcommittee, has also sponsored training over the past two years related to recognizing the signs of suicide in schools and bullying prevention.
Several articles about the Task Force and its efforts have appeared recently in the local newspaper, the Pottsville Republican Herald:
Training for school personnel
Gatekeeper training program
Firearms safety program
Media guidelines for limiting coverage of suicides
QPR training
Student Assistance Program (screening by mental health liaisons): Child and Family Support Services, 570-622-9860; The ReDCo Group Behavioral Health Services, 570-628-5234; Pathways, 570-621-5000
Community screening
*Inpatient psychiatric unit: Schuylkill Medical Center, St. Catherines Medical Center
*School-based mental health services: ReDCo Group Behavioral Health Services
*Support group:
Name of Chapter: Greater NEPA
Contact Name: JoAnne McCain
Contact Number: 1-570-967-8005
Contact Email: greaternepa@afsp.org
HALOS (Hope After a Loved One’s Suicide)
Trinity Episcopal Church (back door)
Center Street and Howard Avenue
Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901
Contact: Karen Spencer
570-621-2891, Ext. 110
spencerdk@comcast.net
Charge: NO