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About Us

The Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition

The Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition is comprised of representatives of government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, community members and volunteers. Our membership includes the perspectives of individuals who have lived experience of losing loved ones to suicide and of having suicidal thoughts and behaviors themselves; those who provide an array of support services to the community and others interested in preventing suicide.  Members include those from the fields of emergency services, health and behavioral health advocacy the justice system, child welfare system, schools and veteran services. We share a passion for addressing the risk of suicide in our community through a multi-faceted, coordinated approach.

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Our VISION is to significantly reduce the number of suicides, suicide attempts, and to help alleviate the traumatic after-effects of a death by suicide.

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Our MISSION is to increase awareness, decrease stigma, and implement and support programs throughout Westchester County aimed at suicide prevention.

We accomplish this mission through a workgroup structure that directs efforts to:

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  • Increase awareness and knowledge among the general public and specific audiences of warning signs, risk factors, and interventions to prevent suicide

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  • Encourage the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors

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  • Provide an organizational structure and support network with specific actions in the event of a completed suicide

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  • Compile, develop, evaluate and disseminate accurate information about suicidal behavior to the public

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  • Aid in the decrease of the suicide rate for Westchester County

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The Coalition received start-up funding in 2014 from the NYS Suicide Prevention Center (SPC), which also provides training and technical support. Our Coalition participates in SPC regional forums to share and learn from other coalitions’ best practices.

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The Coalition is Co-Chaired by Dr. Barbara Bernstein, founding Co-Chair and former Chief Planning Officer, Greater Mental Health of NY;  Marie Considine, Executive Director, NAMI Westchester and  Annette Peters-Ruvolo, Program Director, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health.

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The Coalition meets monthly and welcomes new members. To join or learn more, please contact us.

Organization Membership (as of 02/2025)

  • Andrus

  • Break the Hold

  • Center for Career Freedom

  • Charlie Health

  • Comunilife

  • Family members

  • Family Services of Westchester – Vet2Vet

  • Greater Mental Health of New York

  • Greenburgh Public Library

  • Human Development Services of Westchester

  • Mental Health Providers in Private Practice

  • Moms Demand Action

  • NAMI Westchester

  • Non-Profit Westchester

  • NY Presbyterian Hospital

  • NYS Bridge Authority

  • NYS OMH-Rockland State Psychiatric Services

  • Port Chester Police Department

  • Retirees from the Mental Health field

  • Rye Youth Council

  • Southern Westchester BOCES

  • SPEAK

  • St. Vincent’s Hospital

  • The College of Westchester

  • The Harris Project

  • Veteran’s Administration

  • Village of Mamaroneck Police Department

  • Westchester County Department of Health

  • Westchester County Department of Social Services

  • Westchester County Department of Corrections

  • Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health

  • Westchester County Labs and Research (Office of Medical Examiner)

  • Westchester County Medical Center

  • Westchester Jewish Community Services

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© 2025 Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition

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