Historical Overview of Florida Suicide Prevention
January 2000
The Governor’s office recognized suicide as a serious health problem. Governor Jeb Bush directed the Office of Drug Control to coordinate efforts statewide to decrease the incidence of suicide. The Office of Drug Control was chosen to lead this effort due to the high correlation between substance abuse, mental illness and suicide.
Spring 2000
The Governor’s Suicide Prevention Task Force was created including membership from government agencies, dedicated grassroots organizations, academia, non-profits, and survivors. They were responsible for formulating state policies that will prevent suicide. The task force worked alongside of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, a grassroots organization that was created to advocate for suicide prevention policy and raise awareness on the issue.
August 2002
The Task Force released a white paper entitled "Preventing Suicide in Florida."
March 2003
The first Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol was hosted by the Office of Drug Control and the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition. Every year, national, state, and local organizations set up tables in the Capitol to promote awareness about suicide, and the Governor holds a press conference to raise awareness and show support.
Spring 2004
The Task Force proposed legislation that would create the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention within the Office of Drug Control and provide for two positions. The bill passed both chambers but there was no funding in the Governor’s budget. The same legislation was put forth in 2005 but died in the last two weeks in the House Governmental Operations committee. In 2006, after passing the House, it died during the last week in session on the Senate floor. This advocacy effort came to fruition in 2007 under the leadership of Governor Crist.
March 2005
Florida’s efforts to decrease its suicide rates had coalesced to the degree that it was time to codify and further direct integrated state activity in an overarching strategy. The Task Force developed a statewide plan to reduce suicide, which was released in March 2005 entitled The Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy. The Strategy sets an overall goal to reduce Florida’s suicide rate by one-third by the end of 2010. Areas of focus in the Strategy are public awareness and information, education and training, screening and intervention, addressing treatment needs, creating safer environments, postvention, and research.
September 2005
The Office of Drug Control hosted the annual Florida Suicide Prevention Symposium in Orlando. Experts in the field of suicide prevention and related issues present the latest research and best practices. The event continued in 2006 and 2007 and will be held in 2008 as well.
April 25, 2007
Suicide Prevention Walk & Rally in Tally was held to raise awareness about the issues surrounding suicide. Grassroots advocates, state agencies, students, and community members walked from Florida State University to the Capitol and attended a rally and press conference. Jerry Reed, Executive Director of Suicide Prevention Action Network, a national advocacy organization, spoke to the crowd as well as House Representative Hugh Gibson and Aaron Bean. Department of Corrections Secretary Jim McDonough and suicide survivors addressed the audience and urged legislators to support legislation that would establish the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention.
May 2007
The Florida Legislature passed a bill creating the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention and Governor Crist signed the legislation into law on May 22, 2007.