Each September, National Suicide Prevention Week reminds us of the urgency and the hope that comes with building stronger, more connected communities. This year, September 7–13, advocates across Kansas and the nation joined forces to raise awareness, share resources, and recommit to saving lives. At Shockey Consulting, we are honored to stand alongside incredible partners in this work through our ongoing role on the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Project with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).
Shockey’s Role in the GLS Project
Through this federally funded five-year initiative, KDADS is expanding access to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services across Wyandotte County and 12 southeast Kansas counties. As the lead consultant, Shockey provides project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and strategic guidance to ensure grant goals are met across both urban and rural communities, many of which face heightened risks for youth suicide.
Our work includes:
Coordinating technical assistance and training across 13 counties.
Facilitating suicide prevention roundtables and working groups.
Leading a statewide landscape analysis of prevention and intervention training.
Designing outreach strategies that reflect the voices of historically underserved populations.
Supporting the development of culturally responsive public awareness campaigns.
Ensuring compliance and collaboration with KDADS, SAMHSA, and local partners.
By integrating input from those with lived experience, we help strengthen connections between schools, health providers, and crisis systems, moving Kansas closer to a more coordinated and equitable prevention network.
Why It Matters
Suicide prevention must be community-informed and culturally responsive. With the GLS project, we’re working alongside KDADS, DCCCA, Greenbush, Cox Media, ReflexAI, and the Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition to ensure that strategies reach those who need them most, from American Indian/Alaska Native youth, to rural families, to historically marginalized communities.
Governor Kelly’s recent proclamation of National Suicide Prevention Week underscores the importance of this work. Shockey is proud to be part of Kansas’s progress, helping to expand training access, strengthen crisis pathways, and lay the groundwork for policies that save lives.
Join the Effort
Prevention is possible when we come together. You can learn more about statewide suicide prevention efforts through the Kansas Suicide Prevention Coalition, or reach out to us if you’d like to get connected.
And remember: if you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text, or chat 988 for immediate support.
At Shockey, we believe that every voice matters, and every life is worth fighting for. Together, we can imagine and build a future where communities are safer, healthier, and more connected.