The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County was originally established under the New York State Garrett Lee Smith Grant. The primary goal was to work to build competent communities for Youth Suicide Prevention in NYS but as the Coalition evolved the scope expanded to include all age groups. In 2012,  the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County was formalized. The Coalition is supported by the Erie County Department of Mental Health and is administered by Crisis Services. The Coalition is a group of community stakeholders including but not limited to mental health, substance abuse, prevention education, various school districts and county leaders like the Department of Mental Health, Department of Health and the Erie County Medical Examiner’s office.