For Immediate Release

July 1, 2008

EDC Appoints Jerry Reed of SPAN USA to Lead Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Reed Joins EDC as Senior Scholar in Suicide Prevention

Newton, MA: Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) has appointed Jerry Reed, former executive director of SPAN USA, who will lead its policy and professional development activities in suicide prevention, and serve as Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Operated by EDC, the resource center is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

A dedicated geriatric and suicide prevention advocate, Reed joined SPAN USA in July 2003 and has been a recognized leader in the national suicide prevention movement, helping to raise awareness, educate members of the media and general public about suicide prevention, and effect public policy changes in mental health legislation.

Reed will replace Lloyd Potter, who directed the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC for five years, becoming instrumental in state and tribal efforts to develop and implement suicide prevention plans. Dr. Potter leaves to join the faculty of the University of Texas, San Antonio as Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research.

“Lloyd Potter has been a driving force behind many of our most successful initiatives,” said Cheryl Vince Whitman, EDC Senior Vice President who also directs EDC’s division of Health and Human Development Programs, the home of SPRC. “We are very excited about working with Jerry Reed to advance national suicide prevention efforts and increase the effectiveness of prevention services for people and families struggling with suicide and mental health issues,” she said.

About the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
The The SPRC provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals. It develops suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. Mandated by Congress, the resource center is federally-funded and managed through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. It is operated by Health and Human Development Programs at EDC in Newton, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.sprc.org.

About SPAN USA
SPAN USA is the nation’s only suicide prevention organization dedicated to leveraging grassroots support among suicide survivors and others to advance public policies that prevent suicide. Since its founding in 1996, SPAN USA has led the drive to make suicide a public health priority by building political will and calling for the development and implementation of a national strategy for suicide prevention. Using its extensive grassroots network of survivors and advocates, SPAN USA has actively promoted the cause on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. For more information, visit www.spanusa.org.