A presentation by SD+, an app that helps prevent teem suicide.

1. SD+
San Diego County Youth Suicide
Prevention App

2. Introduction
The Problem We See
The community is losing an increasingly high number of youth at an exceptionally
young age due to an action that could have been prevented if the right resources and
interventions had been easily accessible.

3. Introduction
The People Involved
• The team members chosen to represent their organization
have strong bonds with the community and suicide prevention.
• Angela Tomlinson- Chula Vista Community Collaborative Service
Coordinator
• Had a friend commit suicide at a young age
• Has assisted in youth suicide cases throughout her career
• Melissa Anspaugh- Healthy Chula Vista Intern
• Brother’s best friend committed suicide in high school
• Currently working at a middle school and have witnessed the suicidal behaviors
of students.

4. Introduction
The Impact of the Problem
• According to the CDC (2017)
• Of those ages 14-24:
• ~157,000 youth are treated in
the ER for self-inflicted injuries
• ~4,600 youth loose their life
each year to suicide
• Nationwide high school student
survey reported:
• 16% of students considered
suicide
• 13% created a plan
• 8% attempted to take their life
within the 12 months preceding
the survey

5. Problem Statement
How might we help youth find
resources to reduce suicide
using app technology?

6. Project Plan

7. Empathize
Research
• Downloaded and used features on 20+ suicide prevention apps.
• Features of the apps
• Targeted at youth
• Provide resources
• Connect to family/friends
• Connect to counselor
• Provide Suicide Hotline number
What We Learned
• None of the apps contained all of these features and none of the apps were aimed at
San Diego County.

8. Empathize
Observation-
• Coping mechanisms & severity questionnaire would be the most useful addition to the
app.

9. Empathize
Engagement
• Rosemary Gonzalez, Otay Elementary Counselor
• Karen Hernandez, Palomar High School Principal
• Marisol Britt, 211 San Diego Health Navigation Specialist
• Joe Buselt, Chula Vista Community Collaborative Site Coordinator
• Yeni Palomino, San Diego Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) Program
Director
• Peer Mediation Students, Chula Vista High School
What We Learned
• The app needs to:
• Be built for youth’s needs and be aesthetically pleasing to youth
• Provide anonymity
• Contain positive psychology

10. Define
Synthesize
• Local to San Diego County
• Questionnaires to rate current severity
• Youth would like the option to remain anonymous
• Focus on positive psychology
• Coping mechanisms

11. Define
• Reframe
• Youth need a way to easily access resources because they need to know where to go
if they need emotional support.
• Schools need a way to give their students access to resources because the suicide of
one student effects the entire school.
• The County of San Diego needs a way to provide accessible resources to youth and
schools because each suicide effects the entire community.

12. Define
Updated Problem Statement
How might we provide youth
and schools in San Diego
County resources and tools
to reduce suicide using app
technology?

13. Prototype
https://marvelapp.com/8d77j5i/screen/55721930

14. Prototype
• Feedback on Prototype
• Very useful
• Great idea to have a direct link
• Valuable to have terms and conditions

15. Test
• Once app is developed, we will test it with students.

16. Summary
• How this will innovate behavioral health?
• Youth will have access to resources
• App is geared towards San Diego County
• Youth are more likely to look at an app than ask for help in person.

17. Summary
• What will this require to move forward?
• App Developer
• Financial Support

18. Q&A
• Questions, comments and suggestions.