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In Syracuse, nearly 300 school personnel from 31 school districts across Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, and Madison counties are gathering today (March 31) for a landmark suicide prevention training. The event, held at the OnCenter, aims to equip educators, administrators, counselors, and support staff with vital tools to address mental health challenges among students.
The training, sponsored by The Lobdell Family, Oswego Health, and Onondaga County, is led by Dr. Daniel Reidenberg, a globally recognized expert in suicide prevention. Dr. Reidenberg, who serves as the Managing Director of the National Council for Suicide Prevention, has been instrumental in shaping national strategies to combat suicide. His leadership includes developing the U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the LEADS for Youth program, the only evidence-based suicide prevention program for schools.
Vinny Lobdell, a philanthropist supporting the cause, shared his personal motivation for sponsoring the event, saying, "My brother, Rusty Lobdell, died by suicide almost 30 years ago. It was something my family did not talk about for many years. We knew the struggles, and what we went through was just really tough. We want to make sure that no family has to go through that" (FOX 17).
The Lobdell family's $1 million donation to Oswego Health underscores their commitment to improving mental health resources and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. The training will provide school staff with actionable tools to recognize warning signs, intervene effectively, and create a safer environment for students. This initiative is crucial, as suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in the U.S., and mental health issues affect one in five students (Oswego Health).
Anyone who needs to talk can call 800-273-8255 no matter the time of day.