Local Voices: How Do I Find Out More About Project Safety Net?

I get this question a lot. Some folks perceive that PSN is a group of experts locked in a room talking only to each other.  In reality, Project Safety Net isn't an organization, really. It's a coalition of partners whose objectives all focus on kids' well-being. Many of the partners at the table are organizations familiar to many people around the city (e.g. PAUSD, the City of Palo Alto, PTA, Youth Community Service (YCS), Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS)) and many are individuals.  Each group, and each person, brings a unique perspective and unique value. We are held together by common purpose and determination (and the ability of our conveners to keep us on task). Come to a meeting and see for yourself. 

The meetings occur on the fourth Thursday (11am-1pm) of every month at the Lucie Stern Community Center. The meetings are attended by an average of 40 community members. Typical format of the meetings is a reporting out from sub-committees working on the education, prevention and intervention strategies, followed by a learning item and/or a guest speaker.

They are an opportunity to share progress made by sub-committees, to strengthen relationships among PSN members and to learn about best practices for suicide prevention and programs and services that support the social and emotional health of youth and teens. We believe that creating a space and atmosphere that promotes conversation and informal collaboration between organizations and community members is a core strategic objective that can lead to stronger relationships between community leaders and organizations from which ideas, innovation and new forms of collaboration will emerge. Among the learning items that came to the PSN regular meetings included:

• Webinar on Sources of Strength -- Sources of Strength is a comprehensive wellness program being piloted at Gunn High School that works to use peer leaders to change norms around codes of silence and help-seeking. The program is designed to increase help-seeking behaviors and connections between peers and caring adults.
• Gatekeeper Training -- All PSN member were given the opportunity to be trained in Question Persuade Refer (QPR), a Gatekeeper training program that involves educating natural helpers, or adults who interact with youth as part of their regular day, to recognize warning signs for suicide and know how to respond appropriately to suicidal youth. A gatekeeper should ultimately be able to provide a link, or open the gate, between a young person and a mental health professional.
• Webinar on More Than Sad -- More Than Sad is a program being piloted at Palo Alto High School and comes from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It provides education about factors that put youth at risk for suicide, in particular depression and other mental disorders.

Join us! The next PSN Meeting is Thursday, September 22, 11am-1pm at Lucie Stern. Details will be posted on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/psnpaloalto.