Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
COVID-19 Emerency Response for Suicide Prevention - NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest), an Urban Indian Organization and Federally Qualified Health Care Center (FQHC), located in Portland, Oregon will continue to adapt its current strategies to provide telehealth services according to the guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control in response to the COVID-19 virus. NARA serves primarily American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations who have shown higher rates of substance abuse, mental health conditions, suicidality, homelessness, disabling conditions, and domestic violence when compared to other ethnicities (Lewis, Myhra, 2018). The SAMHSA 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Response for Suicide Prevention (COVID-19 ERSP) funding will reduce the impact of disparities that limit access to prevention and intervention programs, substance use and mental health services, increase screening, assessment, crisis stabilization, referral processes and prevention activities with the overall goal of continuing care during pandemic, as well as improving outcomes (e.g., C-SSRS, etc.), suicidality, and domestic violence (DV) for individuals and/or families over the period of 16 months. The primary focus is on adults, 25 years and older, who are at high risk for suicidal behaviors, as well as DV victims including their dependents who are at greater risk related to COVID-19 virus and the shelter in place order. This project will allow NARA, with the support of community partners (Cascadia’s Project Respond, The Gateway Center, and Unity Psychiatric Hospital), to continue to provide crisis intervention, prevention services, DV treatment/supports, mental and substance use disorder treatment, care coordination, case management, as well as recovery supports for 3000+ low income or underinsured individuals/families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the use of telehealth, this project brings much needed access to cultural activities, case management services, addiction and mental health services during the duration of the pandemic and beyond. Through system adaptation that aligns with the recommendations put in place by the CDC, NARA commits to goals focused on reducing barriers to care, using evidence based practices, promoting behaviors and activities that promote recovery, safety, as well, as overall well-being through the use of telehealth with the gradual integration to in person services. Key interventions and strategies are: 1. Create a leadership committee that is committed to prevention services specific to suicide and domestic violence by reducing disparities caused by limited access to direct treatment services and cultural activities during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Develop and implement a plan for rapid follow-up following hospitalization of suicidal patients; 3. Establish follow-up and care transition protocols to ensure patient safety among high risk suicidal adults in primary care or mental health, and substance treatment settings; 4. Provide suicide prevention training to community and clinical service providers; 5. Collaborate with community organizations and systems to implement comprehensive suicide prevention (e.g., Cascadia’s Project Respond, The Gateway Center, Unity Hospital, etc.); 6. Provide suicide screening, assessment and appropriate clinical treatment services based on assessment; 7. Provide community recovery supports to assist individuals and their family members who attempted or are at risk for attempting suicide; 8. Develop protocol for enhanced screening of individuals at risk for domestic violence; 9. Provide enhanced services for victims and dependents of domestic violence based upon screening and assessment treatment services; 10. Provide patient supports that promote safety and well-being of domestic violence victims and those at risk for suicide.
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).