Nevada Urban Indians, Inc. (NUI) is seeking funding from the Substance Abuse Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to educate and evolve organizations and communities
while ensuring Evidence-Based Programs (EBP) are more accessible to Native Americans and
Veterans under the age of 24. NUI will offer “post-vention” programming, guidance and protocols
regarding suicide intervention and identification, trauma-informed care, and increased mental
health awareness.
NUI will develop a team that is dedicated to responding to community tragedies that can result in
suicide clusters or an increase substance misuse among Native Americans and Veterans 24 years
old and younger. In response to these events, the established team will offer resource connections
and education to increase mental health awareness and the identification of suicidal behaviors.
This team of NUI staff members and outside organizations will also provide education and in-service training quarterly to stakeholder community members and organizations that work with
this population.
Throughout the year, the development of suicidal policies and protocols will be developed and
implemented, with the intent to have synergy between frontline organizations serving the Northern
Nevada area. In addition, the project will develop “post-vention” protocols to serve individuals that
have experienced suicidal attempts or ideations.
Annually, the project will serve a minimum of 100 Native youth and Veterans, offering them
access to EBPs to increase mental health awareness and combat suicidal ideation among this
demographic. Throughout the five years of the project, NUI will offer EBP access to at least 500
Native youth and Veterans, as well as operate a working community education team to enhance
and create policies and protocols that focus on suicide. This team will include four new
organizations per year, including but not limited to Safe Embrace, Boys and Girls Club, EDDY
House, Volunteers of America, Ridge House, rural Nevada tribes, Washoe County School District,
Veterans Hospital, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, China Springs youth camp and local
judiciaries.
