Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
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| Suicide Prevention Action Network USA | |
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| Founder(s) | Gerald and Elsie Weyrauch |
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| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Founded | August 19, 1996 |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC |
| Origins | Founded following the death by suicide of the Weyrauch's 34-year-old daughter, Terri. |
| Key people | Jerry Reed, Executive Director Brian Altman, Director of Public Policy & Program Development Jason Padgett, Field Development Coordinator |
| Focus | Advancing the public policy response to suicide in America |
| Method | Grassroots advocacy |
| Slogan | "Opening Minds. Changing Policy. Saving Lives." |
| Website | http://www.spanusa.org |
The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1996 by Gerald and Elsie Weyrauch, whose 34-year-old daughter, Terri, died by suicide. SPAN USA is "dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy."
SPAN's theme is "Opening Minds. Changing Policy. Saving Lives."
The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) is the nation's only suicide prevention organization dedicated to leveraging grassroots support among suicide survivors (those who have lost a loved one to suicide) and others to advance public policies that help prevent suicide. The organization was created to raise awareness, build political will, and call for action with regard to creating, advancing, implementing and evaluating a national strategy to address suicide in the United States. Since the organization was founded, grassroots volunteers and staff have worked in communities, state capitols and in Washington, DC to advance its public policy response to the problem of suicide in America.
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[edit] Vision, Mission, and Values
[edit] Vision:
The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA) envisions a world where suicide prevention is embraced as a public priority by all members of society, where people touched by suicide are supported, and where communities link awareness with action in order to save lives.
[edit] Mission:
SPAN USA is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community engagement, and federal, state and local grassroots advocacy. By empowering those who have been touched by suicide, SPAN USA seeks to advance the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
[edit] Values:
SPAN USA believes in:
Opening minds through Social Justice and Respect;
Changing Policy through Collaboration and Action;
and Saving Lives through Community Responsibility
[edit] Staff
Jerry Reed, PhD, MSW, Executive Director
Brian Altman, JD, Director of Public Policy and Program Development
Jason H. Padgett, MPA, Field Development Coordinator
Jerussia Smith, Administrative Assistant/Bookeeper
Development Director, Vacant
[edit] 2008 SPAN USA Public Policy Priorities
- Passage of mental health parity legislation
- Funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act programs (PL 108-355)
- Reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Veterans and Military Suicide Prevention
- Increased resources for behavioral interventions to prevent suicide
- Additional funding for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
- Elimination of Medicare mental health coinsurance discrimination
Read more about SPAN USA's public policy initiatives
