Suicide among youth (15-19 years) ranks as the third leading cause of death in the United States. (source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy People 2010). From the local perspective twenty three young people committed suicide in  Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Wyoming Counties between 1994 and 1996.  Self inflicted injury (age 15-19) during 1994-96 totaled 244 cases. Data from New York State Office of Mental Health for 1995 indicated that 15.7% of all mental health inpatient stays in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Wyoming counties were 18 years old or younger. In the same three counties just nine percent of youth with mental health problems received community-based support services.
         The mental health service gap in rural Western New York is wide: it spans age, distance, isolation, fragmentation, and ignorance. This gap can be narrowed by bringing people together to improve access and availability of youth-based mental health services in rural Western New York.  For these reasons, the Healthy Community Alliance established the Rural Partnership to Prevent Youth Suicide: A rural mental health initiative. This project was funded by an $88,104 grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation of Buffalo, New York.
         The partnership brought together public and private mental health providers, local government agencies, educators, mental health service consumers and community leaders.  Strategies for community outreach and education were designed and implemented to improve access, availability, and referrals for service.
Some of the Partnership’s accomplishments include:

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For more information about HEART, contact Jessica La Falce at the  Mental Health  Association of Erie County at 716-886-1242 ext. 326

The projects main components are:

	Awareness and Recognition through school-based activities that include creative arts such as music, literature, theatre, and visual arts designed to reach young     people.
	Education using MHA's Tell-It program to raise awareness of mental health issues and decrease misunderstanding and stigma among adolescents, parents, and school professionals. In addition, an evidence- based component called SOS (Signs of Suicide) that includes a lesson and screening tool on suicide prevention will also be offered.
	Personal Assistance and Support provided by Crisis Services. Their Kids Helpline is a 24 hour support hotline and on-line support center providing individual and group counseling using the internet.

Awareness and Recognition begins in schools with the implementation of MIA's School Assembly Music Concert Program followed by the educational component including the Tell-It Program. Personal Assistance and Support follows and includes on-line intervention through CS's Kids Helpline. The project anticipates reaching a minimum of twelve school districts over the next two years. Evaluation is currently being performed by the Center for Health & Social Research at Buffalo State College.

The John R. Oishei Foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life for Buffalo area residents by supporting education, healthcare, scientific research and the cultural, social, civic, and other charitable needs of the community. The foundation was established in 1940 by John R. Oishei, founder of Trico Products Corporation.