I N T H I S I S S U E

YOUTH SUICIDE -

T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R C R I S I S S E R V I C E SV O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 2 • S U M M E R 2 0 1 0

A Preventable Heartbreak Thereisnotaparentouttherethatwoulddenyworryingaboutthewell-beingof their teenager.Most parentswould admit toworrying about their teenager’sdiet, sleephabits, and grades. Somewould even admit to anxiety around theirchildbeingabducted,ordevelopingarareandfatalphysicalillness.Mostparents,however,don’tevergiveathoughttotheirteenager’sriskofdyingbysuicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young Americansbetween the ages of 15 and 24; only accidents and homicides occur morefrequently.Thesestatisticsarealarmingformostpeople,andshouldbe.Ashocking12%ofalldeathsforyoungpeoplebetweentheagesof15and24areasaresultofsuicide.Foreveryyouththatcompletessuicide,itisestimatedthatanother100-200attemptsaremade.Accordingtoa2003YouthRiskBehaviorSurveillanceSurvey,16.9%ofstudentsseriouslyconsideredattemptingsuicideintheprevioustwelvemonthsand16.5%ofstudentsmadeplansforanattempt. RecenteventsintheWesternNewYorkareahavebroughttheissueofsuicideintoslightlyclearerfocusinourcommunity.However,thereisstillmuchworktobedone,includingeducationaroundthewarningsignsofsuicideandwhenandhowtoreachoutforhelp.Warningsignsincludedepression,isolation,increasedalcoholordruguse,impulsivebehavior,andtalkingaboutsuicideordeath.Redflagsincludegivingawaypossessions,writinganote,andmakingasuicideplan. Thegoodnewsaboutteensuicideisthatitispreventable.Helpisavailable.CrisisServices 24-hour hotline provides immediate crisis intervention, and supportivecounseling to anyone in Erie County that is experiencing an emotional crisisormental health emergency.Our trained staff and volunteers are here to helpandhaveaccess tocommunitywide resources.The hotline can be reached by calling 834-3131. Crisis Services also has a hotline dedicated to helping kids and teens cope with the many changes, frustrations, pressures and decisions they face. The Kids Helpline is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling 834-1144 or 1-877-KIDS-400. And when a suicide does occur in a family or a school, help is available for those left behind by contacting Crisis Services’ Trauma Response Program.CrisisServicesremainscommittedtothepreventionofteensuicideandtoeducatingthecommunityaboutproperintervention.IfyouwouldliketoshowyoursupportforthemissionofCrisisServices,pleaseconsidersendinginadonationtoday.

KIDSCRISIS.COM UPDATE

SALUTING OUR VOLUNTEERSOISHEI FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT

AID FROM COUNCILMEMBER RUSSELL

A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

O I S H E I FO U N DAT I O N AWA R D S G R A N T TO C R I S I S S E RV I C ES The John R. Oishei Foundation strives to be acatalyst for change to enhanceeconomicvitality andthequalityof life for theBuffaloNiagara region.TheFoundation further recognizes the importance oforganizations that provide invaluable “safety-net”services during this period of economic downturn.Although there are signs of an improving economy,the Foundation appreciates the 24 hour availabilityof an agency such as Crisis Services of Buffalo and

allofErieCounty.TheJohnR.OisheiFoundationhasawardedCrisisServicesaconsecutive twoyeargrantof $60,000 per year totaling $120,000. The moneywill be used to bolster the necessary resources torespondtoincreasedrequestsforassistanceduetothelacklustereconomyintheWesternNewYorkarea.TheFoundationwasestablishedin1940byJohnR.Oishei,founderofTricoProductsCorporation.

TROUBLED TIMES - THE LOSS OF A VALUABLE RESOURCE

During periods of fiscal austerity, when the needs of a community suggest otherwise, difficult decisions must be made regarding how to allocate scarce resources between supportpersonneland programsweareable tooffer. Case in point involves the agency’s Kids Website.Six years ago, we launched the website after havingbeenconceivedapproximately4yearsprior.WiththeColumbinedisasterof the late1990’s servingas theirpoint of reference, a small group at Crisis Servicesattempted tocombat thegrowingstress levelspresentinhighschoolteens. Liketoday,fundingsourceswerescarceandveryfewbenefactorswerewillingtoinvestinaserviceconsideredatthattimetobe“cuttingedge”.IttooktheprogressiveattitudeoftheJohnR.OisheiFoundationtoprovidetheessentialseedmoney tobuild thewebsiteexclusivelyforkids/teensincorporatingaunique“chat”counselingcomponent. TimemovedquicklyandthesupportivefundingfortheKidsWebsiteranitscourse.TheBoardofDirectorsatCrisisServicesdeterminedthatsuchauniqueenterpriseshould continue even without dedicated funds tosupportitspurpose.(Inrelativelygoodfinancialtimesthese are the type of decisions that come easy.) TheBoardunanimously approved to extend theWebsite’sexistence recognizing its unique potential, a futurepathforadditionalelectronicdrivenprogramsandtheurgentneed in thecommunity forkidsgrowingmoreandmorerestlesswithlife’sissues.

Withtheonsetofthecurrentrecessionandgrowingfiscalpressuresupontheagency,theBoardofDirectorschallengedmetouncoverothercostsavingventuresorprogramsthatwerenotfullysupportedbyadedicatedfunding source. The Kids Website proved to be animmediateandobvioustarget. No sooner had I informed our Internet ServiceProvider to takedown theWebsite, aHealthTeacherfrom the Town of Clarence called Crisis Services tovoicehisfrustrationanddispleasurewithourdecision.Seehisstoryonthenextpage. The Clarence teacher immediately offered to findways to pay for the hosting service. Unfortunately, IhadtoinformhimthatthecosttohosttheWebsitewasminor incomparisonto thecostofemployingstaff toensurethattheWebsitewasproperlymonitored.Inthebusinessofcrisisintervention,legalliabilitybecomesafrequentcryfromtheBoardRoomespeciallyintimesofausterity! Theagency,itsBoard,itsmanagersanditsstaffareall livingandexperiencinga frustratingparadox. Atatimewhenourserviceshaveneverbeenasneeded,our staffneveraswell trained, andourmethods tohelppeoplenevermorewillingandbattletested,ourfinancialcoffersremainwanting. Hopefully, when the veil of financial austerity isliftedslightly,wecanonceagainplanforthoseinneedwithoutbeingthwartedduetoissuesofmoneyandthelegal liabilitiesofmeetingpeopleduring their timeofgreatestneed.

DouglasB.Fabian,ExecutiveDirector

Douglas B. Fabian, Executive Director

Asaneducatorandmemberofacommunitythathasrecently been impacted by multiple suicides, I havebeenreflectingonmanymoments in life.Suicidefirstimpactedmy life when I was in high school.After aclassmate tookhis life, allmypeerswere taughthowto recognize warning signs and help our friends inneed. Twenty–five years later, one factstill remains the same: it was too lateforour friendKurt.Nobodywasable torecognize suicide warning signs aheadof time and nobody knew how to helpKurt.Ifonlywehadknownbeforeitwastoolate!

Inrecentweekstherehavebeenmanycommunityandschool-sponsoredeventsinthewakeofourteensuicides.Peoplehave gathered and shared thoughts andemotions, Crisis Services has offeredtheirsupportinanypossibleway,schoolresources havebeenutilized, and faith-based groups have offered assistancewhenneeded.Itisgreattoseesomanypeoplerespondingtocrisis,butonceagainIfeelasifitistoolittle,toolate.

Responding to a suicide after it has happened isthe least desirable way to deal with this problem.Being proactive and educating our youth about stressmanagement, coping skills, utilization of support

networks, and suicide prevention is a much moredesirablewaytodealwiththisissue.

For the past ten years, I have been utilizingwww.kidscrisis.com when teaching lessons related tostress management and suicide prevention. This sitewas a vital part of a child’s support network.The site

was extremely well organized, and itfocusedonthemostcommonproblemsthatteensface.Studentscouldenterthesite anddiscoverendless resources foranypossibleproblemtheymighthave.Teens aremore comfortable accessingsuch assistance via the Internet ratherthan a telephone or face-to-faceconversation. Such websites requirefewer human resources to give peoplethehelptheyneed.

Whenpreparingforthisyearslessononstressmanagement,Idiscoveredthatkidscrisis.com has been taken awayfromourchildren.Afterputtinginacallto Crisis Services, I was told that this

invaluablewebsitehadbeentakendownduetofundingcuts.Aftersearchingforendlessalternatives,Icontinuetocomebacktothesamethought:kidscrisis.commustreturninasclosetooriginalformaspossible.Thereturnof kidscrisis.com will help put the “safety” back onthe“net!”

InJanuary2010,CrisisServiceembarkedonaqualityimprovementplanexaminingfourareasofimprovementtoouragencyoperations.Oneoftheareasweareassessingistheagency’soverallCulturalCompetency.Culturalcompetenceisdefinedasasetofcompatibleattitudesandpoliciesthatcometogethertoenableeffectiveworkincross-culturalsituations. Ataskforceofvolunteers,staff,managersandboardmemberswasdeveloped.WiththeassistanceofconsultantPamelaKefiofKefiConsulting, thisgroupbeganan assessmentprocess tohelp identify theareasofneedandgrowth forCrisisServices.Sinceouragency touchesmany livesandcultures inourcommunity,wearealwaysevaluatingourservicestoensurewearemeetingtheneedsofthosecomingtoustothebestofourabilities. ThiscommitteeiswrappingupthedevelopmentofaCulturalCompetencyPlanthatwillserveasaguideforCrisisServices,atalllevelsoftheorganization,toensurethatweareusingaculturallyandlinguisticallycompetentlenswhenprovidingservicestoBuffaloandErieCounty. Forupdatesonourplanimplementationvisitouragencywebsite.

CRISIS SERVICES DEVELOPS CULTURAL COMPETENCY TASKFORCE

www.crisisservices.org

K I D S C R I S I S.CO M – N E E D E D N OW M O R E T H A N E V E R

by George Gallagher, Health Education teacher in Clarence for the past 17 years and a former Crisis Services volunteer

PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO

CRISIS SERVICES.

Your donation today could

help us bring back this valuable

resource for use in the future

by both teachers and students!

T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R C R I S I S S E R V I C E S

V O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 2 • S U M M E R 2 0 1 0

R U T H P L A N T R E T I R E S.. . A N D R E T U R N S!

An incredible record. . .a remarkable woman! The agency came together for a party on St. Patrick’s Day, but we werecelebratingsomethingmuchbiggerthanthepatronsaintofIreland!RuthPlant,our cherishedmorning receptionist of 17 years, announced her retirement inFebruary.AlthoughherlastofficialdaywasMarch24th,thepartywasscheduledforMarch17th,whichhappenedtobeRuth’s84thbirthday,yesyoureadthatright! The surprise party was attended by many former Crisis Services staffincludingDennisWalzack, formerExecutiveDirectorofCrisisServices,KathyLwebuga-Mukasa,formerAssociateDirector,MaryHealy,formerPoliceMentalHealthCoordinationProjectCoordinator,JoanGruszecki,formerAdministrativeAssistant,andPatKaleta,formerFiscalManager,inadditiontodozensofcurrentstaffers. Therealsurprise,however,wasnotthepartyorthefactthatRuthcontinuedworkinghereuntilher84thbirthday.Worriedthatshewouldhavetoomuchtimeonherhands,RuthbecameoneoftheremarkableCrisisServicesvolunteersandcontinuestomanherpostatthephones3morningsaweek.

Ruth Plant celebrating her 84th birthday.

BOARD MEMBER RUBS ELBOWS (& WINGS) WITH OBAMA

DuringhisbriefstopinBuffaloinMay,PresidentObamaranintoCrisisServicesBoardmemberRobertZielinskiatDuffs.ThePresidentwasgraciousenoughtoposeforapicturewhilewaitingforhisorderofextracrispymediumwings.

COUNCILMEMBER BONNIE RUSSELL COMES TO CRISIS SERVICES AID!

In April, Crisis Services Homeless Program wasnotifiedofa25%cuttotheirprogramfundingbytheCityofBuffaloEmergencyShelterGrant,aprogramofHUD. Ironically,atthesametimethatourfundingwascut,requests for our homeless services have skyrocketed,with an over 150% increase in the number of callsfromlastyear. WecontactedCouncilmemberBonnieRussellwhotookourcallquicklyandarrangedameetingtoreviewthiscut.Understanding thevalueofourservicesandtheimpacttoourcommunity,CouncilmemberRussellgraciouslyprovided$30,000 tohelpaddress this cutandensureno lay-offof staff at a timewhenwearehelpingsomanyothersimpactedbytheeconomy. WeareextremelythankfultoBonnieRussellforhersupportofCrisisServicesandherwillingness tohearour story and support the Homeless Program. As aresult of her contribution, Crisis Services continueswithoutmissingabeat,helpingwiththethousandsofcalls we’re receiving on a monthly basis from thosefacinghousingorhomelessissues.

Members of the Crisis Services Homeless Program accepting the $30,000 gift from Bonnie Russell are

from L to R: Melissa Cronyn, Laurie Barber, Rachel Morrison, Bonnie Russell, Kendolynn Powell,

Doug Fabian, Executive Director & Jessica Pirro, Associate Director.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Fromthebeginning,CrisisServiceshasreliedheavilyonvolunteers.Theoriginalhotlinewasstaffedentirelybyvolunteers,butastheagencyhasevolved,sohastheroleofitsvolunteers.Today,41yearslater,volunteersareutilizedin4differentareasoftheagency.Withoutthem,itwouldbeimpossibletoprovidethedepthofservicesthatweofferona24-hour/day,7day/weekbasis.

Our volunteers are dedicated and committed individuals who add an impressive fusion of experience,compassion and diversity to our agency.They represent a perfect mix of university students working oninternshipcredits,seasonedlifeveteransincludingmanyrecentretirees,homemakers,andmanypartandfulltimeemployeeswhomanagetoaddthesehourstotheiralreadybusylives.Theirreasonsforgivingoftheirtimesogenerouslyvarygreatly,buttheyshareacommonthread–thedesiretogiveofthemselvestothosethatareinimmediateneedofahumanconnection.

Hereisalistofourcurrentlyactivevolunteers.ThemanagementandstaffofCrisisServicesextendourdeepestgratitudeforallthatyouprovidefortheagency.Thankyouformakingadifference!

Nabil AbousaidAmanda AckersonLinda AkbarPatricia AllenKyle AndersonQalam A.Sara BalbuenaAshley BennettAmanda BlandoAmanda Rose BlandoShannon BloomquistRosemary BoctorSusan BodkinSuzanne BognarDeborah BrowningScotty BurtBarbara C.Latasha Camm

Shana Carr

Jamelah Charteron- Lester

Deborah ClarkMeridith CohenPatrick ConwayDiane CorteseLeslie CymanJoe DabkowskiKimberly DamianMelissa DotzlerMelinda DouangratdyCarolyn DruryAmber DunnAubrey FineganAmy GallowayLeisha GrayDebi Handley

London HarrisMary HeickErin HersheyTamara IngramMaria JaramilloSarah JonesAmba KhushbakhaatRobert KochanskiDoug KrollJessica LawrenceKalei LogueAmanda MacAlpineTony MisitaBernie MisitaGeoffrey MohrJulie MuleroYvonne NiesenMichelle Nola

Amber O’DanielsAmy PanczakiewiczJamiese ParkerGregory PattersonRuth PlantLovell PompeyChristina PotempaRyota SakuraiFallon SchultzW. Chris ScibiliaMiranda ShelanskeyMelanie SiegelSarah SkeltonDebi SmithStephanie SnyderLinda SommersLacreasha StephensRon Stock

Jon T.Jennifer TaberKellie TingleyStephen UngvaryJennifer ValentiRaddleys VenturaNicole VoloSherry WagnerWendy WalkerAnne WalterichKelly WarrenJoe WawrzyniakJennifer WillardRachel WilsonDennis ZakrzewskiAmanda Zepeda

Ifyouarelookingforameaningfulvolunteerexperience,pleaseconsiderjoiningeitherourCrisisCounselingProgramorourAdvocateProgram.Bothprogramsrequirecompletionofa40hour trainingsessionandaminimumsixmonthcommitment.

Crisis Counseling Program (Hotline) - help others during times of crisis,whentheyneedsomeonethemost.TheCrisisCounselingProgramrespondstocalls24hoursadayonawidevarietyofissuessuchassuicide,homelessness,addiction,domesticviolence,etc.Computerskillsarerequired.

The Advocate Program is the Rape Crisis Center for Erie County and a NYS Non-Residential Domestic Violence Service provider. Weprovide24-hourcrisisinterventiontovictimsofdomesticviolence,familyviolence,rape,sexualassaultandelderabuseatall11emergencydepartmentsinErieCounty.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CRIS IS SERVICES VOLUNTEER?

To receive more information about becoming a crisis services

volunteer, visit our website at

www.crisisservices.org or call 834-3131.

2969 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14214-1003

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTE

A gift to Crisis Services today can help to provide the important crisis intervention needed for those contemplating suicicde or facing a mental health crisis.

See Youth Suicide - A Preventable Heartbreak on the front page.

OUR MISSIONCrisis Services is dedicated to promoting the health,

safety, and well being of the community through prevention, education, immediate intervention and

access to community wide resources 24 hours a day.

TRIBUTE GIFTS TO CRISIS SERVICESMake a donation today in support of Crisis Services

and those who depend on our critical services.Remember a friend, loved one or family member for a birthday, anniversary or special celebration or to offer a meaningful expression of one’s sympathy, love and respect at the time of death with a gift to the Crisis Services Foundation. Your gift today can help Crisis Services continue to provide its excellent services and programs to individuals in need in our community, as it has since 1968. Treating and assisting people in emotional crisis through a variety of therapeutic services (24 hour hotline, suicide prevention, homelessness, rape and domestic violence, and mental health and trauma) need your ongoing generous support. Enclosed in this newsletter is a convenient envelope for your use, or make a donation online by visiting our secure website at:

www.crisisservices.organd charge your gift to MasterCard, Visa, or American Express.