NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention Spring Newsletter
March 25, 2026
The NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention (NHCSP) was formed in 2021 to complement the work being done in NH to address the growing problem of suicide. Our focus in on NH’s many vulnerable populations. We work in partnership with groups like AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and the State Suicide Prevention Council. In addition to maintaining our website, www.zerosuicidesnh.org and cross-promoting and sponsoring educational programs about suicide, we monitor all legislation that supports or works against the goal of zero suicides in the state of NH, and advocate for populations who are vulnerable to suicide.
Free Virtual Suicide Prevention Training Sponsored By NHCSP and AFSP On April 7th At Noon
Please join us for “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction To Suicide Prevention” on Tuesday, April 7th from noon-1 p.m. This virtual seminar, a signature program of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is sponsored by the NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention. Although there is no charge for the training, we ask you to pre-register by using this link:
Home - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Scotland Says No To “Assisted Dying For Adults With Terminal Illness” In A March 17th Vote
The Scottish Parliament rejected a bill that would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide on March 17th by a margin of 69 to 57, with one abstention.
The legislation, formally known as the “Assisted Dying for Adults with Terminal Illness Bill,” had been under debate for more than two years and represented one of the most scrutinized and controversial social policy proposals in recent Scottish history. The bill would have allowed medically assisted deaths for adults diagnosed as terminally ill, contingent on the approval of two healthcare professionals.
Had it passed, Scotland would have become the first part of the United Kingdom to permit assisted suicide, potentially setting a precedent for future legislation in Westminster and Wales.
The vote reflects widespread concern over the potential risks associated with legalized euthanasia, including coercion of vulnerable populations, gaps in oversight, and the erosion of conscience protections for healthcare providers. In fact, 12 lawmakers who had supported the bill in May 2025 reversed their stance, citing these risks as decisive. Groups including he Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Scotland, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Palliative Care Association, and several social work and disability advocacy organizations opposed the bill.
Bishop John Keenan, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, praised the vote as a protection for those most vulnerable, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, individuals with mental health challenges, and survivors of domestic violence. Public sentiment also played a role. Surveys commissioned by advocacy groups revealed deep unease among Scots about the potential for abuse. One poll found that 70 percent feared victims of domestic violence could feel pressured into assisted suicide, and only one in five supported legislation allowing patients with eating disorders to seek assisted death. Another survey showed that 69 percent of adults believed access to healthcare and disability support should be prioritized before any euthanasia legislation, rising to 72 percent among respondents with disabilities.
The bill’s defeat is expected to influence similar legislative efforts in the UK, particularly the Assisted Dying Bill currently under consideration in Westminster. Scotland’s decision, together with recent votes in Wales, illustrates the complex constitutional and social considerations surrounding euthanasia, especially in a highly-secularized society.
With assisted suicide legislation now firmly rejected for the foreseeable future, the focus of Scottish policymakers is shifting to enhancing palliative care. Advocates and professional bodies alike emphasize the need for adequate funding, training, and access to end-of-life care that supports dignity without resorting to hastening death.
Suicide Prevention Council’s State Suicide Prevention Plan 2025-2029 Highlights
Preventing suicide requires strategies at all levels of society. The State Suicide Prevention Plan is a collaborative effort that began 3 years ago with a retreat that included over 50 participants with a vested interest in suicide prevention, including prevention advocates and individuals with lived experience.
Like all good strategic plans, this one began with research, including surveys, key informant interviews and analysis of existing data sources. In addition, NH participated in the 2024 Suicide Prevention Resource Centers State Needs Assessment to identify the strengths and opportunities for suicide prevention. Planning sessions were also held with the Youth Suicide Prevention Assembly (YSPA), an independent grassroots entity dedicated to youth suicide prevention in NH.
The current plan has 3 priorities:
Partnerships, Community & Public Awareness: This priority involves developing and implementing wide-reaching partnerships and communication strategies to raise awareness and advance suicide prevention activities.
Preventing Suicide In Key Settings: For this priority, NH will focus on Health Care; School and College Campus and Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery.
Data: This priority focuses on enhancing accessible and timely data on suicide thoughts, attempts and deaths in order to better understand the risk and protective factors for suicide.
As far as outcomes, the plan reflects the State Suicide Prevention Council’s commitment to reducing suicidality, saving lives and fostering a more supportive and resilient community.
For more information about the State’s 5-Year Suicide Prevention Plan, contact Katherine Cox, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, NH DHHS, at Katherine.m.cox@dhhs.nh.gov
Operation Mercury VI: Walking For Veteran Mental Health On June 6th
On June 6, 2026, community members will gather at Camp Carpenter in Manchester for Operation Mercury VI — a 5K hike, walk, or ruck along the Dan Beard Trail to raise awareness about veteran mental health and suicide prevention.
Event Details
📍 Camp Carpenter, 300 Blondin Rd., Manchester
📅 June 6, 2026
🕘 Check-in 9:00–9:45 a.m. | Step-off 10:00 a.m.
🎗 Free, all-ages event
For more information, contact event coordinator Mike Martioski at mjmartioski@yahoo.com
JasprED App Used By Vermont Hospitals To Help Acutely Suicidal Patients
Funded by NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health), JasprED is a tablet-based app for persons who are acutely suicidal and seeking psychiatric crisis intervention in the Emergency Department. To date, JasprED has been used in over 30 hospital settings by over 4,500 patients. Through a private-public partnership, JasprED is currently being implemented throughout hospitals in VT.
The idea behind JasprED is to increase standardization and documentation of expert-recommended evidence-based suicide care for patients in an acute and post-acute suicide crisis.
Jaspr outperformed care-as-usual (CAU) in a controlled trial conducted at Allina Health and Mayo Clinic. The results:
Higher rates of discharge from the ED (67% Jaspr v. 57% CAU)
Reduction in restraint usage (3.9% Jaspr v. 7.2% CAU)
Increase in safety planning (76% in Jaspr v. 39% CAU)
For more information, visit https://jasprhealth.com/whyjaspr/.
To learn more about the New Hampshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, visit our website at www.zerosuicidesnh.org.