The vision of Kevin’s Song is a world without suicide. Its mission is to empower communities to prevent suicide and offer hope and healing to survivors by generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and preventive measures.
Since founded in 2013 in memory and honor of Gail and John Urso’s son, Kevin, who died by suicide, the organization provides a unique role in the landscape of mental health services and support. Others focused on ... Read More
The vision of Kevin’s Song is a world without suicide. Its mission is to empower communities to prevent suicide and offer hope and healing to survivors by generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and preventive measures.
Since founded in 2013 in memory and honor of Gail and John Urso’s son, Kevin, who died by suicide, the organization provides a unique role in the landscape of mental health services and support. Others focused on populations (youth, veterans, BIPOC, etc.) or specific providers (hospitals, schools, etc.). Kevin’s Song provides a platform for this ecosystem to come together to learn and share evidence-based practices that can be replicated and scaled to prevent suicides and keep our communities welcoming for those who are at-risk and their loved ones. Kevin’s Song also spearheads projects to address gaps in the ecosystem. As a hub, all work is done in partnership with others.
Its Annual Conference is attended by over 300 mental health professionals, educators, first responders, clinicians, and people with deep lived experience (whether thorough losing a loved one to suicide or struggling with suicidal issues themselves). A School Summit is held adjacent to the conference.
Kevin’s Song supports a loss survivors’ group who share their stories and struggles. These meetings are now virtual and more accessible to people all over Michigan and elsewhere. (The Survivors panel at the 2021 Conference was live streamed with 5,000+ viewers.)
Kevin’s Song created With One Voice, a statewide coalition of 30+ advocates, to advance changes in practices and policies to prevent suicides. While established as an independent organization, Kevin’s Song provides backbone and financial support to operate the coalition.
Kevin’s Song is developing a registry of mental health professionals in SE Michigan with training in suicide prevention as no such central list exists that suicide hotlines, 911 operators, emergency rooms, medical doctors, or the public can consult.
Kevin’s Song is focusing on training for laypersons, the faith community, first responders, educators, youth, community leadership, and other organizations looking to make a difference in the mental health and suicide prevention and awareness space.
Kevin’s Song has also sponsored and developed films and public television programming to raise awareness and offer solutions.
Kevin’s Song is currently mostly volunteer-led with an executive director and contract staff engaged for discreet projects.
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