Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
COVID-19 Emergency Response for Suicide Prevention (ERSP) Grant - Abstract Given the current COVID-19 crisis and the potential of mental health challenges and suicide that comes with isolation, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) proposes to launch Project Native Strong, an effort to deliver immediate action by providing evidence based efforts to address the mental health needs of Natives adversely impacted by COVID-19 and who reside within the tribal boundaries of the CNO and who make up the target population. The CNO catchment area is comprised of 10 ½ counties in southeastern Oklahoma, it is bordered by Arkansas to the east and Texas to the south. Due to the elevated rates of diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver issues among Native Americans, it is widely accepted that Natives are at a higher risk for fatality if they acquire the COVID-19 virus. With the rates of the virus rising daily and Oklahoma ranking 47th in all states testing for the virus, it is difficult to determine the number of patients that will be encountered. CNO anticipates serving as few as 50 and as many as 200+ positive for COVID-19 and as many as 400 unduplicated patients for mental health or substance use issues. In addition, Native Strong will provide all federally recognized tribes within the State of Oklahoma educational opportunities to benefit the mental health of their tribal members. The proposed activities include launching an opportunity for tribes to participate in the transformative work of the Zero Suicide (ZS) framework. The Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations participated in past Zero Suicide Academies and CNO will utilize COVID-19 Emergency funds to share this educational opportunity with other tribes within the State of Oklahoma. A Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) will be positioned in the Emergency Department to work alongside doctors and nurses to address the increased mental illness concerns related to COVID-19. By increasing access, screening, intervention, immediate appointments and referral at this critical location, patient outcomes related to depression, anxiety, suicide intervention, and other mental health issues are expected to improve. The LMHP will also conduct tele-health behavioral health sessions. Screening and assessment efforts will be increased throughout all CNO clinics to determine the presence of mental and domestic violence issues and appropriate care plans will be established. Training and resources will be provided to community members who are survivors of suicide or have lived experience to train them to facilitate support groups throughout the state of Oklahoma. The established CNO Zero Suicide Initiative will expand by incorporating State and Tribal Law Enforcement, Child Welfare Services, Domestic Violence Advocates, and other community partners and provide them with education for safety planning, means safety, and non-demand caring contacts. Partnerships with domestic violence shelters throughout the CNO will be established so that the shelters can expand their capacities to meet victim needs. Education on the support of survivors of domestic violence will be provided throughout the state for tribes and their partners. A focused Training of Trainers will be provided to CNO staff/partners to further address domestic violence victim needs throughout the CNO.
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).