Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Addressing Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention on St. Paul Island - Abstract Purpose: The primary purpose of this program is to reduce the prevalence of suicide among Alaska Native populations. We hope to accomplish this through the improvement of care coordination, expansion of behavioral health care services, and through the expansion of activities for Gen-I on St. Paul Island. Suicide and suicide ideation are ongoing problems among our Alaska Native Community. In 2017 ten title 47 holds; 2018 sixteen title 46 holds, four attempts/completed suicides; 2019 two title 47 holds, one attempts/completed suicides; 2020 eight title 47 holds, one attempts/completed suicides; 2021 seven title 47 holds, one attempts/completed suicides. Currently, a number of individual programs address some elements of the prevention of suicide and suicide ideation, however, there is no long-term program that focuses on expanding behavioral healthcare treatment services, or that can provide guidance on a community strategic plan, youth peer-to-peer support and education, and youth led activities. The project goals by the end of year one is to 1) educate and train providers and community members on suicide and suicide prevention; 2) increase community awareness and develop a suicide response team and response plan; and 3) support youth led peer to peer activities regarding suicide and suicide prevention and achieve attendance levels of 50% (youth) and 25% (families) at one or more activities. Achievement of project goals will provide a venue for healthy youth and community programs. Programs will be developed that provide healthy activities and connectedness to peers and family members. Project activities will continue over the five years of this project and be coordinated with the Pribilof School District, City of St. Paul Department of Public Safety, Southcentral Foundation, and the Youth Tribal Council. We plan to implement the Hope Squad program with the Pribilof School District, locate and develop a behavioral safe room with the City of St. Paul and Southcentral Foundation, complete strategic planning using the Community Readiness Model with JBS International and the newly developed suicide prevention team, and expand available behavioral health care treatment services with the clinicians and Youth Tribal Council. During the post grant period, we hope to continue all activities and begin sustainability and transition activities during this period. Data will be collected to evaluate whether project activities are contributing to reducing risk factors for suicidal behavior and evaluated along with focusing on future funding, ongoing coordination with local regional entities, and the development of additional activities and classes during the post grant period.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).