Marin 9 to 25's September Steering Committee Meeting: A Focus on Suicide Prevention and Recovery
On September 12th, the Marin 9 to 25 Steering Committee convened in observance of Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month. This meeting highlighted the importance of community-based initiatives and the role they play in bolstering mental health and suicide prevention efforts in Marin County.
A Keynote Address to Remember
We were immensely privileged to have Lynn Murphy at the event as our Keynote Speaker. As the Mental Health Outreach Liaison for the San Rafael Police Department and Co-Chair for the Suicide Prevention Collaborative, Lynn's dedication to the cause is profound. She greatly shared her personal journey and the passion with which she engages in uplifting her community. One takeaway from her address was the immeasurable impact of kindness and compassion. As she reminded us, even simple acts of kindness can create ripples of positive change in people's lives.
Lightning Rounds: A Glimpse into Community Initiatives
The meeting also included dynamic Lightning Rounds, offering attendees insights into various programs and campaigns:
Felton Institute Youth Support Group: The Felton Institute proudly unveiled their newly launched Youth and Young Adults Support Group. Tailored specifically for those grappling with the loss of a loved one to suicide, this group forms an integral part of their postvention efforts. If you wish to learn more about the institute’s mission and programs, please check out their slide presentation.
Find Your Way Youth Resource Guide: The Find Your Way youth team informed attendees about the recent rollout of their Youth Resource Guide. To help maximize outreach, they are currently strategizing to set up informational tables across high schools in Marin.
Men and Boys Action Team: Addressing the disheartening trend of increased mental health challenges faced by men and boys in Marin County, this team shared insights on their targeted efforts. The team's Redefining Strength campaign aims to dispel myths surrounding masculinity and mental health. Their event, “The Mask You Live In”, is just one of many initiatives in this direction. To learn more about their campaign, visit redefiningstrength.org.
Participatory Budgeting from the Office of Equity: Starting this October to December, Marin County residents and individuals affiliated with the county (who are 14 years and older) will have the opportunity to partake in budget allocation decisions. This initiative by the Office of Equity seeks to empower community members in deciding the distribution of the available budget across various proposals.
Conclusion
The September meeting of the Steering Committee was more than just an event; it showed how committed Marin 9 to 25 is to creating a welcoming space. As the month of September reminds us of the need of collaborative engagement in suicide prevention and recovery, it's initiatives like these that light the path ahead.
