JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – On April 14th, Chautauqua County brought together leaders, community partners, and individuals with lived experience for the Chautauqua County Suicide Prevention Key Leader Summit, a countywide, half-day working session focused on turning strategy into action.
Held at Wicked Warren’s in Jamestown, the summit created a collaborative environment where participants worked across sectors to examine current efforts, identify gaps, and help shape the future of suicide prevention in Chautauqua County.
Attendees included representatives from law enforcement, education, behavioral health, public health, local industry, other community-based organizations, and members of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County coalition, all whose voices are essential to this work.
The summit opened with remarks from Carmelo Hernandez, Director of Community Mental Hygiene Services and Commissioner of Social Services, followed by presentations from Garra Lloyd-Lester of the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State /Office of Mental Health and Carri Raynor, Director of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County.
The working session focused on aligning local efforts with the New York State Suicide Prevention Strategy (2026–2030) while grounding that work in local data and community needs. Discussions were centered around four key focus areas of wellness, education, veterans, and outreach. The group worked to identify gaps, missing voices, and unmet needs reflecting the county’s current prevention efforts and opportunities for growth.
“Behind every number is a life. A family. A community,” said Raynor. “This work is about making sure our efforts reflect the real experiences and needs of the people we serve.”
Throughout the summit, participants were asked to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities within their systems, while also exploring how to better coordinate efforts across sectors. Key themes that emerged included a strong commitment to prevention across the county, a need for increased awareness and education, gaps in access, particularly among vulnerable populations, and a shared desire for stronger coordination and communication.
As Chautauqua County continues to build on initiatives such as the Lock & Talk CHQ program, the Sudden Loss Care Team, and community-based trainings and events, the summit marked an important step toward developing a more unified, countywide approach to suicide prevention.
“This work cannot be done in silos,” said Hernandez. “It takes shared ownership, collaboration, and a commitment to moving beyond intention and into accountability.”
Next steps will include compiling input from the summit, identifying shared priorities, and continuing collaboration across partners to develop a coordinated action plan aligned with the state strategy.
The summit was coordinated by the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County. A continental breakfast and lunch were provided for attendees.
