Abstract
The Nez Perce Tribe (Nimiipuu) propose the Native Connections effort to address the problem of suicide among Native American youth and young adults ages 12 through 24 years on our remote rural reservation. The Nez Perce Reservation is located in north central Idaho and represents the geographic catchment area. Nimiipuu Health is the implementing agency for the tribe and is located in Lapwai, the seat of tribal government.
Participatory Action Research will guide the Native Connections process. According to the University of Kansas’ Community Tool Box, Action Research involves people “who are most affected by a community issue – typically in collaboration or partnership with others who have research skills – to conduct research on and analyze that issue, with the goal of devising strategies to resolve it.” We propose to directly engage youth and young adults in learning more about an issue that affects them (suicide) and take action (e.g. develop solutions) to help resolve the problem. We will develop a Youth/Young Adult Coalition to assist in this process.
Native Connections goals and objectives include (space limitations prevent listing all objectives): Goal 1-Increase awareness about suicide. By September 30, 2019, the Community Assessment Coordinator generates 6 social media messages about suicide prevention and distribute through social media. Objective 1.3: By September 30, 2019, the Project Coordinator distributes suicide prevention materials to 200 individuals at community events (e.g., health fairs). Goal 2: Increase knowledge about suicide prevention and intervention resources. Objective 2.1: By September 30, 2019, the Evaluator proposes 5 baseline survey questions of knowledge about suicide prevention and intervention resources for youth, for inclusion in Fall 2019 schoolwide surveys. Objective 2.2: By September 30, 2019, the Community Assessment Coordinator conducts baseline community survey of knowledge about suicide prevention and intervention resources with 225 young adults and adults. Objective 3.2: By December 31, 2018, the Community Assessment Coordinator provides support to the youth/young adult advisory council to establish a monthly meeting schedule, with at least 10 meetings planned for Year 1. Goal 3: Develop resiliency in youth and young adults. Objective 3.1: By December 31, 2018, the Project Coordinator and Community Assessment Coordinator establish a youth/young adult advisory council with at least 10 members, focused on youth resiliency Goal 4: Increase partner/provider service coordination for youth and young adults at risk of suicide. Objective 4.1: By September 30, 2019, the Project Director, Co-Project Director and Project Coordinator collaborate with the youth/young adult provider partners to establish 1 inter-departmental/agency Multidisciplinary Team responsible for youth/young adult well-being. Goal 5: Increase community gatekeeper capacity to prevent and respond to suicide. Objective 5.1: By September 30, 2019, Community Assessment Coordinator coordinates with the youth/young adult advisory council to identify 1-2 suicide prevention training for community gatekeepers (e.g., MHFA).