Rob, City Leader: Mobilizing Communities to Support Youth Wellbeing

By Rob de Geus, City Manager, City of Westlake Village

Youth suicide prevention and response is a community-wide responsibility that requires participation of individual families, friends and peers, schools, health care providers, government, nonprofits organizations and many others. Every sector has a role to play in the wellbeing of youth growing up in our communities. Because suicide prevention and response is so fundamental to a healthy and thriving community a shared sense of responsibility, coupled with a community collaborative approach, is needed to sustain a network of support for youth wellbeing.

City leaders bringing the community together in support of youth suicide prevention and response need an evidence-based toolkit to help inform their collaborative work. The HEARD Alliance, made up of healthcare professionals, provides this foundational guidance for cities and communities working together in support of youth wellbeing.