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.
Becky Armbruster
Technology Coordinator | Co-Secretary | 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.
Gina Cabiddu
Co-Secretary | Board Member
Gina Cabiddu grew up in the Key Peninsula community and currently resides in Gig Harbor. Gina holds a Bachelor and Master’s of Social Work from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing her LICSW to grow her own business as a consultant and therapist. As a board member Gina brings her experience of serving as a Child Protective Services investigator, directing the Key Peninsula branch of Children’s Home Society of Washington, and expanding the Washington Youth Regional Behavioral Health Program statewide to expand local teams dedicated to leading behavioral health resource portals, multidisciplinary staffing for complex youth behavioral health, and mobilizing communities with diverse steering committees to bring community into the care continuum. Gina has been with the coalition since 2014 and is passionate about focusing resources and efforts for community- led solutions with research- informed strategies that span disciplines and modalities.
Kathy Weymiller
Board Member
Kathy is a 30+ year community member, wife, parent of three, attorney and elementary principal who has been with the coalition from the beginning. Her commitment to suicide prevention comes from being close to families, personally and professionally, who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Laurel Shultz
Board Member
Laurel serves as the Program Director for Communities In Schools of Peninsula (CISP) where she oversees programs at nine schools and leads a team of dedicated professionals and trained volunteer mentors who provide a complex array of services to deserving kids. She is a Youth Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK Suicide Prevention educator and joined the coalition in 2012. Laurel is a wife, mother, and staunch advocate for prevention services for her community. She believes the power of prevention is based on information, skill building, and the creation of human connection.
Bob Anderson
Board Member
Former Coalition Chairperson, Bob Anderson lost his 20 year old son to suicide in 1998. After retiring in 2010, he and his wife Judy moved to Gig Harbor and he became active in the Coalition. Bob is a past president of Rotary Club of Gig Harbor North and serves as president of Gig Harbor Sister Cities, a non-profit group linked with Bodø, Norway and Milna, Croatia. Prior to his retirement he was a high school journalism teacher, a state legislator and Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. He was also a founder and executive director of the Iowa Peace Institute and founder of Iowa Resource for International Service. His work took him to 30 different countries and he arranged for hundreds of international students and adults to spend a month or a year in Iowa.
In their free time, he and his wife enjoy traveling and attending soccer matches of their grandson and granddaughter.
Anne Nesbit
Board Member
Anne has been with the Key Peninsula Fire Department for 12 years and is currently their Fire Prevention Specialist, Public Information Officer and Volunteer Battalion Chief. She got involved with the Gig Harbor Key Peninsula Suicide Coalition because as a first responder she not only responds to people and families in crisis, but works with her peers regarding built up stressors on a personal and professional level. Anne is a Safe-Talk and Talk Saves Lives instructor and is always eager to have a conversation about the reduction of stigma that surrounds mental health and suicide. Anne is a community resource for everyone and believes that education is a pathway to healing.
Christine Lynch
Board Member
Christine has been a part of the suicide prevention coalition since the group formed several years ago. Christine is the Executive Director for Olalla Recovery Centers. Prior to her work in behavioral health, Christine worked in law enforcement and the legal field for over ten years. She has a degree in psychology, business administration and human resource management. In addition to her passion for helping those struggling with behavioral health issues, Christine participates in various state associations, workgroups, behavioral health committees, and area accountable communities of health –all in an effort to help improve access and quality service delivery for those who need it most in our community. She and her family have lived in the Gig Harbor area for over 25 years.
Get Involved Today
Want to find out more on how to support our efforts in the community or how to become a sponsor? Please reach out!
