Case Study: ND Suicide Prevention Plan
Overview
In 1999, the North Dakota Adolescent Suicide Prevention Task Force was formed. Initial state surveys and data indicated suicide fatalities for 10 to 24 year-olds in North Dakota were almost twice the national rate, and that suicide fatalities for the elderly were significantly less than the national average. Because of this information, a targeted population of adolescents and young adults became the primary focus for North Dakota's suicide prevention efforts when the first state plan "Suicide by North Dakota Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults: The North Dakota Response" was developed.
By 2004, five years later, the data indicated the success of the strategic plan implemented by the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Task Force. The suicide rate for 15 to 24 year-olds had dropped from an average of 20.0 in the 1990's to an average of 13.5 for the 2000's. At this time, the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Conference was held to focus efforts and consider expanding the state suicide prevention plan to include all ages.
Objectives
The Suicide Prevention Task Force planned to view updated data to determine if it was necessary to expand North Dakota's adolescent suicide prevention plan to encompass all ages. If an expanded plan was necessary, the task force intended to participate in strategic planning to develop an updated plan. The plan would include goals and strategies to prevent suicide in North Dakota for all age groups.
Activities
In May of 2005, the Suicide Prevention Task Force met to begin the process of updating the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Plan. DLN Consulting, Inc. was contracted to compile and analyze 10-year and 25-year comparative and trend data for North Dakota and the United States. After reviewing the updated data and information collected and evaluated by DLN Consulting, Inc., a decision was reached by the task force to formulate a more comprehensive suicide prevention plan. DLN Consulting, Inc. was contracted to facilitate the strategic planning, organize the information, and write the final document.
The North Dakota Suicide Prevention Task Force, led by DLN Consulting, Inc., worked together to develop an effective state suicide prevention plan. The task force members developed a mission statement, which described their purpose and what they hoped to accomplish. The first step of developing the plan was a brainstorming session to identify priority areas for strategy development that would be most likely to reduce injury and death from suicidal behavior. Once the many priority areas were refined by a process of strategic planning, the task force began writing goals and strategies for these areas. When writing strategies, the task force determined the potential effects of each strategy including social, legal, ethical, and economic effects. Optimal methods for implementing the strategies also were considered. Following a strategic planning process, the current "North Dakota Suicide Prevention Plan" was developed.
Outcome
This document and its contents are a result of the input and cooperation of the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Task Force members. It is intended to be a lucid document that will be periodically assessed for effectiveness as it is developed and implemented.
Through consensus building processes, the Suicide Prevention Task Force was able to develop goals and strategies in four main focus areas: Infrastructure and Systems, Education and Awareness, Intervention and Treatment, and Strengthening Community Relations and Building Resiliency.
The "North Dakota Suicide Prevention Plan" is available to view on the North Dakota Department of Health website or by following the link below:
http://www.ndhealth.gov/injury/Publications/Suicide%20Prevention%20Plan.pdf
The Mental Health Association in North Dakota (MHAND) and the North Dakota Department of Health Injury Prevention Program are the lead agencies for the North Dakota Suicide Prevention plan and the overseers of the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Task Force.
Contact DLN Consulting today for more information on how Strategic Planning can benefit your organization as it did for the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Task Force.
