Our Sept. 11 member meeting brought Connection members together for updates, shared learning, and deeper discussion on emerging community needs. Sarah Bassing-Sutton, Executive Director, opened the meeting with follow-ups from prior conversations, including progress on one-on-one member meetings and an update on the “waves of need” discussions convened with community partners. These conversations highlighted rising basic needs across the region, the importance of coordination and information-sharing, and The Connection’s role in facilitating proactive, system-level dialogue as impacts continue to unfold.
The meeting also included updates from the Mental Health Action Partnership, following Sarah’s participation in a statewide summit in Madison. Members received an overview of key legislative developments affecting mental health and substance use systems, along with mid-term priorities related to workforce development, integrated data systems, and emergency detention improvements. Members were encouraged to stay engaged in these efforts and to connect directly with legislators, noting growing bipartisan interest in several priority areas.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with a spotlight on The Connection’s Project Zero initiative, and a sneak peek at early findings from the Mind Your Wellness Survey 2.0. Participants reviewed preliminary insights related to sleep, screen time, anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss, along with updated tri-county suicide data. The meeting also included updates on Project Zero’s Suicide Prevention Action (SPA) Team’s renewed mission and priorities, as well as best practices for safe suicide messaging and opportunities to participate in trainings, community events, and prevention initiatives throughout the fall.
Click here for the meeting slides, the Zoom recording, and the full written meeting summary.
Past meetings can found at on our member meetings page, under meeting archives.
