Citation

Brockopp GW. Crisis Interv. 1970; 2(Suppl 2): 24-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1970, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide prevention centers in our country have been developed under a number of different parent organizations. Most commonly they have developed as volunteer organizations related to a mental health unit, a mental health association, or a church in the community. In a few places they have begun in conjunction with a mental health clinic. To my knowledge, the development of the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service in Buffalo is the first time that an agency of this nature has been initiated and developed as a direct result of the cooperative planning of the social welfare and mental health agencies in the community and a county mental health department. As a result of careful planning, which took over a year and a half, this agency was established in November, 1968, as a separate, autonomous unit which is operated by a board of directors elected by a membership corporation of individuals from the community. This corporation contracts with the Erie County Department of Mental Health to provide specialized services in the area of suicide prevention and crisis to the residents of Erie County. Its total operating budget, which is now in excess of $400,000 per year, is obtained through the county mental health department which, in turn, obtains 45% of its operating funds from the State of New York and 55% from county taxes.

This relationship has turned out to be a very excellent one. It allows the agency to have a great deal of freedom within its area of concern, to relate to other agencies within community on an equal basis and to have adequate operating funds through tax monies.

The function of the center also has a number of unique aspects to it because of this relationship.

Language: en