§ 2-103.1. Suicide Prevention Coordinator.

(a) In general.

There is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Health Department.

(b) Scope.

The Suicide Prevention Coordinator shall:

(1) collaborate with system partners to support behavioral health system management; and

(2) work to prevent suicides and mental health crises.

(c) Duties.

The Suicide Prevention Coordinator is authorized to:

(1) reach out to community organizations, groups and agencies to inform them about available resources regarding suicide prevention;

(2) coordinate and provide suicide prevention trainings and trainings regarding the relationship between trauma and suicide as needed;

(3) carry out new public awareness prevention strategies;

(4) distribute resource materials as appropriate;

(5) generally collaborate with:

(i) the State Behavioral Health Administration's Office of Suicide Prevention;

(ii) the Baltimore Police Department;

(iii) the Fire Department;

(iv) local emergency departments;

(v) Baltimore Crisis Response;

(vi) the Baltimore City Public School System;

(vii) academic partners;

(viii) people with mental health conditions; and

(ix) other local agencies and services;

(6) collaborate with the Health Department's Child Fatality Review team and the Health Department's Maternal Mortality Review team to develop and implement prevention plans;

(7) collaborate with emergency departments, pediatricians, primary care physicians, the Baltimore City Public School System, and colleges and universities to encourage screening for suicidality and to establish continuity of care for patients at risk of suicide;

(8) develop and coordinate a data collection and analysis plan to determine trends regarding suicides and suicide attempts;

(9) develop a plan of action to reduce suicides in Baltimore City;

(10) provide consultations to mental health, school, juvenile, and social services professionals;

(11) represent the Health Department in interagency meetings and committees;

(12) support system accountability to ensure that services are responsive to the behavioral health needs of Baltimore City residents;

(13) work with diverse populations in Baltimore City to actively decrease stigma associated with mental health; and

(14) fulfill other related duties as assigned by the Health Commissioner.

(d) Potential contractual position.

The Health Commissioner may elect to contract with the local behavioral health authority to fill the Suicide Prevention Coordinator position.