Our mission is to reduce the number of suicide attempts in both youth and adults in the region

The More We Work Together,
The More Lives We Can Save

Our Beginning

Bob Anderson’s son took his own life nearly 22 years ago. There was no warning , no hints, none of the family knew he was even depressed, nor did his friends. In an instance, his son was just gone. Bob says it helps him to share his story with others, and what began as his therapy has turned into a community-wide effort to educate around suicide awareness and prevent future deaths.

Where We Are Now

Our coalition includes the fire department, mental health professionals, school counselors, local health care providers, Communities In Schools Coordinators, and other agencies. These organizations historically have been able to identify those in need of suicide ideation supports in our community, and together, we ensure those needs are met. Now, more than ever before, a network of safety in our homes, workplace, community and faith groups, are extremely important. You are ten times more likely to encounter someone who needs a suicide intervention than someone who needs CPR. Supporting these organizations strengthens our safety network so that we can help our community make it through Covid-19. The stronger we are, the more lives we can save.

Meet Our Team

Thelma Brown

President | Board Member

Thelma Brown has lived in Gig Harbor since 2016. After retiring as educators, Thelma and her husband, Daniel Brown, moved from Los Angeles, California to Gig Harbor.

Prior to retirement, Thelma was a middle school science teacher and later a high school counselor in the Inglewood Unified School District. She then transferred to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as a high school counselor at Santa Monica High School where she stayed for four years. She was asked to return to Inglewood Unified to become the principal of City Honors College Preparatory High School in order to rebuild the school’s leadership team. After a concerted effort, City Honors received the U.S. News and World Report Silver Award as one of the 100 best schools in America. Students were able to graduate with their AA degree along with their high school diploma.

Thelma enjoyed teaching gymnastics after school until she retired and now spends time helping others and gardening, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday.

Jud Morris

Vice President | Board Member

Jud has an MSW and over 50 years of community social work experiences in several states. He has been a services worker, supervisor, and agency director. Jud is now retired, but still very involved in our community. Currently, he is a member of several community organizations’ Boards. Always willing to help people in our community, his motto is, “Just Ask Jud”!

Myrna Veles

Treasurer | Board Member

Myrna was born in Mexico raised in San Jose, California. She has lived in the Gig Harbor community since 1987 with her husband who grew up in Gig Harbor. They have five children and three grandchildren.

Since moving to Washington, she has worked as a Bank Teller, Licensing Clerk, Financial Specialist, and Office Administrator. She volunteered for seven years as a Gig Harbor Young Life Leader. She worked nine years for a community mental health clinic and was nominated Employee of the Year in 2018. She is a Peer Support Counselor and although she is not practicing in this field, she enjoys supporting the youth and helping with events in the community. She has been a part of the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition since 2012.

In her free time, Myrna enjoys spending time with family, gardening, walking, and reading.

Gina Cabiddu

Secretary | Board Member

Gina Cabiddu, LSWAIC, is a long time resident of the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor communities. She is a former foster youth, adoptee, and social worker with 10+ years of service. Her work has spanned child protective services investigations, directing a regional site of a statewide non-profit for youth and families, coalition leadership ranging from business and tax revenue administration to mental health and community foundations, successful statewide expansion of a model that has reduced pediatric boarding in emergency departments for intellectual/ developmental/ mental health needs, and national consultation through her own LLC to provide child welfare training and system reform through multi-disciplinary collaborations.

Becky Armbruster

Board Member

Wanting to make a difference for those people, family and friends who have been impacted by suicide, joining the GH/KP Suicide Coalition was an easy choice. As part of this beautiful Pierce County community for many years and seeing the positive impact that this coalition has made, time spent on this team has been a great experience. Bringing a mix of technology, program management and creativity, Becky’s hope is to ensure we help those in need. Becky believes that education is power and aims provide all we can to help those in our community who are struggling as well as their friends and family.

Kathy Weymiller