About Us
MCSP is a broad-based inclusive alliance to prevent suicide.
MCSP members come from all backgrounds—community activists, advocates, legislators, public health and mental health professionals, coaches, consultants, nonprofit leaders, therapists, healing professionals, artists, authors, crisis workers, survivors of suicide attempts and people who have lost loved ones to suicide or are impacted by suicide.
We have a personal and professional passion for saving lives.
Our statewide coalition has actively worked for over 20 years to improve state and community linkages to reduce barriers to mental health, substance addiction recovery, domestic violence shelters and other community services.
Together we recognize the need for culturally responsive community-based support and training on suicide prevention. Each local community has a key role in ensuring community health and safety and forms a hub at the statewide level to mobilize key relationships for exchanging ideas for prevention activities
MCSP’s Annual Leadership in Suicide Prevention Awards State House Event was held in person on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. We recognized these incredible awardees for their accomplishments in suicide prevention in Massachusetts.
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Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Adrian Madaro: Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
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Jack Jordan: Lifetime Achievement Award
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Cheryl Poppe: Secretary of the Department of Veterans Services
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The 988 Implementation Team
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Toy Burton: Founder, Dee Dee’s Cry
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Nora and John Salovardos: Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force
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John Cox: President of Cape Cod Community College
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Christine Guthery: SPARK Kindness
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Executive Committee Members
The Executive Committee is the governing body responsible for the overall governance of the Coalition. Currently, the members are:
MCSP Staff (non-voting)
Jennifer Kelliher, Managing Director
Paula Tessier, Associate Director of Membership and Communications
State Agency Representatives
Kelley Cunningham, Director, Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program
Jessica McHugh, Department of Mental Health
Lead Member Representatives
Larry Berkowitz, Lead Member Representative, Riverside Trauma Center
Jennifer Borjas, Lead Member Representative, Dana Group Associates
Anna Chinappi, Lead Member Representative, Bournewood Health Systems
Jessica Van der Stad, Lead Member Representative AFSP
Associate Member Representatives
Stephanie Kelly, Associate Member Representative, Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands
Susan Weinstein, Associate Member Representative, Families for Depression Awareness.
Corporate Member Representatives
Paul Boudreau, Corporate Member Representative, Greater Taunton Community Services, Inc.
Individual Member Representatives
Jim Greer, Individual Member Representative
Tracey Medeiros, Individual Member Representative
Maura Weir, Individual Member Representative
Regional Coalition Representatives
Pata Suyemoto, Co-Chair, Greater Boston Regional Coalition, MCSP Equity Coordinator
Debbie Helms, Co-Chair, Northeast Regional Coalition
Annemarie Matulis, Bristol County Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention
Jennie M Babcock, Chair, Plymouth County Suicide Prevention Coalition,
Barbara Nealon, Co-Chair, Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force
Sarah Gaer, Co-Chair, Central MA Suicide Prevention Coalition
Eileen Davis, Co-Chair MetroWest Regional Coalition
Brian Berkel, President, Berkshire Regional Coalition
Stephanie Kelly, Cape and Islands Regional Coalition
Karen Carreira, Co-Chair of the Pioneer Valley Regional Coalition