ABOUT
SPAN
The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) is a regional coalition of the Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William Community Services Boards (CSBs) and community partners, all working together to raise awareness and share resources to prevent suicide.
SPAN partners include the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, local health departments, school systems, non-profit organizations and community members across Northern Virginia.
Through our network, we offer connections to information, training, and other resources to prevent suicide in our community.
MISSION & HISTORY.
SPAN was founded in 2016 as one of the five regional coalitions supported by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. SPAN is a regional coalition of the Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William Community Services Boards (CSBs) and other partners in Northern Virginia, all working together to raise awareness and share resources to prevent suicide.
Northern Virginia encompasses more than 1,300 square miles with a diverse population of more than 2 million residents. Our neighbors come from many countries and cultures and speak many languages – in addition to English, more than 180 languages or dialects are spoken in our homes. Virginia has the 8th largest military veteran population and fourth-largest active duty population in the U.S., many of whom live here in Northern Virginia. SPAN focuses on regional strategies to address Northern Virginia's unique challenges and opportunities for preventing suicide.
WE CAN ALL HELP PREVENT SUICIDE .
We invite community leaders, faith communities, mental health advocacy groups, school system administrators, health foundations, law enforcement, NAMI chapters, governmental human services coordinators, health departments, parent groups, ethnic counseling groups, peer resource center staff, private providers, university faculty, and youth leaders to get involved with SPAN, get trained, and raise awareness.
LAST YEAR, SPAN PROVIDED:
21,509
Youth & adults trained
1,262
Gun locks
1,127
Locking medication boxes
26
Mini-grants for Youth-Led Projects
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
Linda Silver Bufano
Chair
ConnerStrong Foundation
Noraine Buttar, MPH
Chief of Youth Development
City of Alexandria
Bethany Demers, MS
Mental Wellness Specialist
Fairfax County Public Schools
Promise Duah
Mental Health Matters Club, Chair, Alexandria City High School
Kimberly Fleming
CEO
David J Cobb Foundation
Prevention Alliance of Greater Prince William
Allen Lomax, MPA
Chair, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
Chair, Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria
Rachel Lynch
Program Officer
Northern Virginia Health Foundation
​
Jamie MacDonald
Prevention Intervention Specialist
Loudoun County MHSADS Prevention
& Intervention
Heather Martinsen, MSW, ICPS
Behavioral Health Wellness Supervisor
Prince William County CSB
Melanie Myers, LCSW
Prevention/Intervention Program Manager
Loudoun County MHSADS
Linh Nighe, M.Ed
Prevention Director
Children's Behavioral Health Bureau
Arlington Child and Family Services
Division
Raymond Paden
Manager
Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention
Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
Ali Walker, PA-C, RRT
National Capital Area Chapter, Board Chair
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Critical Care Physician Assistant
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
PARTNERS.
SPAN is a collaboration between the five Community Services Boards in Northern Virginia, nonprofit partners, community groups, and dedicated local community members. Our coalition depends on our partners and supporters, so we invite you to join us!
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