Central Oregon Suicide Prevention

The Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance (COSPA) is a regional organization that was created in 2012 through a collaborative partnership among public and private organizations in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. COSPA serves all residents in the Central Oregon area. 

The mission of COSPA is to develop, implement, and monitor effective programs that promote wellness and prevent suicide death, suicide attempts, and related behaviors. This mission is achieved through integrating and coordinating county specific and regional suicide prevention activities across multiple diverse settings and systems alongside existing programs and efforts that address risk and protective factors for suicide behaviors.

The Leadership Work Group drives the COSPA’s collective Action Plan. The Action Plan has four strategic focus areas:

1. Promote suicide prevention as a core component of health care services by providing training to implement effective clinical and professional practices to clinical service providers on the prevention, assessment and treatment of suicide and related behaviors. 
2. Provide care and support to individuals affected by suicide deaths and attempts to promote healing and implement community strategies to help prevent further suicides.
3. Increase community knowledge of protective factors from suicidal behaviors and that promote wellness and recovery while reducing mental health stigma. 
4. Promote supportive environments to foster help seeking of suicidal intent amongst youth in Central Oregon schools.

A lot of great work is being done in Central Oregon, contact us to get involved.