SPAN Newsletter

April 2026

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SPAN is bringing you the latest trainings, events, resources, and related news on suicide prevention in the Northern Virginia region. Please take a look at the offerings below, and feel free to reach out at suicidepreventionnva@fairfaxcounty.gov or take a look at our website https://www.suicidepreventionnva.org.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Featuring: 

Ms. Sarah Brummett, Sources of Strength

Dr. Holly Wilcox, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Most suicide prevention occurs in the moment of crisis—calls to hotlines, visits to the emergency department, etc.—targeted to individuals in immediate risk of death by suicide. Less attention is paid to interventions that happen well before the point of crisis—upstream approaches at the group, school, and community levels that prevent youth from getting to the point of crisis. Such methods are rooted in public health approaches and can start years before youth face mental health crises. What is the evidence that upstream approaches that create safe environments and belonging for teens can prevent youth suicide? What are the policy approaches that support upstream suicide prevention?

Join the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues and the Council of State Governments for a critical webinar about comprehensive frameworks for youth suicide prevention, grounded in public health and community approaches.

SPAN Highlights

New Resource from SPAN: Suicide Prevention Information Flyer

We’re excited to share a new informational flyer from the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN), designed to help community members learn about local suicide prevention resources, training opportunities, and ways to support mental health in our region.

The flyer highlights SPAN’s free, anonymous mental health screening tool, the Ask. Talk. Connect. campaign, and other important resources that help individuals and families get connected to support. It also includes information about Lock & Talk Virginia, SPAN webinars, and training opportunities such as Mental Health First Aid, QPR, SOS, and REVIVE!

This is a helpful resource to share with families, youth-serving professionals, partners, and other community members who want to better understand available supports and learn how to respond when someone may be struggling.

To learn more and access resources, visit suicidepreventionnova.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

SPAN at ConnerStrong Foundation 5K Fun Run



On March 28th SPAN was a co-sponsor of the ConnerStrong Foundation You Are Not Alone 5KFun Run at Belle Haven Park in Alexandria. The 5K is a community outreach event bringing together community-based resources focused on mental health, suicide prevention and wellness. Allen Lomax, SPAN Leadership Council Chair, and Linda Bufano, SPAN Leadership Council Member, staffed the SPAN resource table at the event. Despite being a little chilly that morning, everyone had a wonderful time and lots of great resources were shared.

Resources

As communities continue strengthening crisis response systems, collaboration between 988 and 911 is becoming increasingly important. We’re sharing a set of resources that highlight the distinct roles of each system, why coordination matters, and promising practices for improving crisis response.

These materials include information on the 988 Lifeline, guidance on the key differences between 988 and 911, a webinar series on effective collaboration, and a resource exploring the path toward stronger 988/911 interoperability. Together, these tools can help partners better understand how to support safe, effective, and connected responses for individuals in crisis.

988 & 911 Collaboration Resources

• 988 Lifeline
• Key Differences Between 988 & 911 | SAMHSA
• Webinar Series: Promising Practices for 988 & 911 Collaboration | SAMHSA CSR-TTAC
• The Road to 988/911 Interoperability | RAND

NOW OPEN: Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center

The Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center is now open. This is a regional program overseen by the Northern Virginia Regional Projects Office and operated by Acadia Healthcare. Effective March 24 they will begin admitting youth to their ASAM 3.5 Substance Abuse Clinically Managed Residential treatment program for children ages 12-17. They will be adding ASAM 3.7 and Crisis Stabilization levels of care in the near future. To call and make a referral for admission, please call (703) 831-2247. Questions about the program should be directed to Kerrie Laughlin, Executive Director at Kerrie.laughlin@nvatc.com.

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