The Selawik Wellness Coalition was created in 2014 with Native Connections funding and has since become the primary entity providing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services, substance use/misuse services, and wellness and cultural-related programming in the community. Since 2014, Selawik has seen a decline in suicide completions, an increase in screenings and individuals receiving treatment, as well as increase in people participating in prevention and wellness related activities. Due to the remote location of our community and limited access to mental health services and treatment facilities, these services were largely absent prior to the creation of the Selawik Wellness Coalition.
FY2020 Native Connections funding will enable us to continue this crucial program, as well as to expand our services and reach more individual in the community. We will focus on the gaps in services that were identified through our data collection over the past five years. In addition to mental health and substance treatment services, we have realized that there are numerous subtle, yet important, factors that have a significant impact on the wellness of our people. These services include separate men and women talking circles, increased involvement in the referral process, expanded follow-up services after treatment, employment training and assistance, wellness activities incorporated into school programming, more certified Mental Health First Aid trainers in the community, and STD treatment services.
The Selawik Wellness Coalition programming is strength-based and grounded in community belonging and Iñupiaq cultural identity. These are the greatest tools for substance abuse and suicide prevention that we have, and we plan to build on them over the next five years. Our program provides opportunities for individuals to receive needed substance abuse, mental health and suicide-related services, and reconnect with and maintain cultural practices and identity, all in the context of fostering a culture of wellness and healthy relationships to wellness staff, family members, community and culture.
Our staff have the experience, training, and commitment to execute the goals and objectives of the FY2020 Native Connections grant and to meet all reporting and compliance requirements.