ABOUT
SPAN
SPAN (Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia) is a regional community coalition of CSBs, partner organizations, and local community members all working together to prevent suicide.
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.
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
Noraine Buttar
Youth Development Team Leader
Alexandria CSB
Alicia Gujuardo
Regional Response Program Manager
American Red Cross
Allen Lomax
Chair, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria
Chair, Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria
Jamie MacDonald
Prevention Training Coordinator
Loudoun County CSB
Heather Martinsen
Behavioral Health Wellness Supervisor
Prince William County CSB
Melanie Myers
Manager, Prevention Intervention Services
Loudoun County CSB
Linh Nighe
Supervisor, Health/Substance Abuse
Child & Family Services Division
Arlington CSB
Tricia Rodgers
Program Officer
Northern Virginia Health Foundation
Marla Zometsky
Manager
Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention
Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
STAFF.
SPAN Coordinator
Carol Loftur-Thun
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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