February 27, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby will announce a new youth suicide prevention campaign, developed by the Howard County Health Department. The county faces a public health emergency, as suicide was the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-19 in Howard County between 2014-2016. Using proven approaches that reduce stigma and engage the community, this campaign will utilize evidence-based, multi-level strategies to bring prevention to the forefront and save lives.
WHO:
Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
Christiana Mercer Rigby, Howard County Council Chair
Dr. Maura J. Rossman, Health Officer
Kristen Coombs, Vice Chair, Howard County Public School System Board of Education
Kathrin Olbrich, Maryland and Delaware Area Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
James LeMon, Executive Director of Community, Parent and School Outreach, Howard County Public Schools
Amanda Ganoe, MSW, Suicide Pre/Postvention Coordinator, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
Sara Tagget, Parent and Mental Health Activist
WHAT: County Executive Ball will announce a Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign through the Howard County Health Department
WHEN: Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 12:00PM
WHERE: Howard County Health Department, 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia 21045— Barton Conference Room
WHY: To address the crisis of youth suicide in Howard County with the launch of a prevention plan and awareness campaign