Roots of Resilience- Ninilchik Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program - Project Title: Roots of Resilience Roots of Resilience is a five-year youth suicide prevention initiative serving the village of Ninilchik and the broader Alaska Native Village Statistical Area (ANVSA). Just as strong root systems help trees withstand storms, strong connections to family, culture, community, and trusted adults help young people navigate adversity and build resilience through difficult times. Through this project, Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC), governing body of the Ninilchik Village Tribe, will strengthen the network of supports surrounding youth and create a coordinated approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and recovery before challenges become crises. The project will serve youth and young adults ages 0-24 throughout Ninilchik and surrounding communities. Local and statewide data demonstrate persistent and concerning patterns related to suicide, behavioral health challenges, social isolation, adverse childhood experiences, and barriers to accessing care in rural Alaska communities. Recent local data indicate that approximately one in four youth have experienced suicidal ideation, underscoring the need for stronger systems to identify concerns early and connect youth to appropriate support before challenges escalate into crisis. While NTC has established healthcare, behavioral health, and youth outreach infrastructure, important gaps remain in coordination among systems, consistent screening and referral practices, follow-up support, postvention planning, and community-wide suicide prevention capacity. NTC will create the community root system for youth through implementation of evidence-based screening, a coordinated suicide risk response system, improved data collection and evaluation systems, and community trainings. We will strengthen the roots and anchor youth through Sources of Strength programming, Elder-youth mentorship opportunities, cultural and subsistence activities, and family engagement opportunities. Youth identified as at risk will be connected to assessment, referral, safety planning, and follow-up services through a coordinated continuum of care designed to prevent youth from falling through the cracks. The project's goal is to ensure that youth are identified early and surrounded by the support they need before a crisis occurs. NTC will establish a coordinated continuum of care that connects at-risk youth to assessment, referral, safety planning, and follow-up services while expanding the protective factors that help young people remain grounded in family, culture, community, and trusted adults. Over the life of the grant, NTC will also strengthen local suicide prevention capacity and expand knowledge, training opportunities, and prevention resources to neighboring communities throughout the broader ANVSA. By the end of Year 1, NTC will establish standardized screening and response procedures across participating systems. Beginning in Year 2, quarterly screening will be implemented across the school, Behavioral Health Program, and Youth Outreach Program. By Year 5, at least 100 community members, health staff members, and youth-serving professionals will receive suicide prevention training, screening participation will increase by 25 percent from baseline, and prevention partnerships and capacity-building efforts will expand throughout the broader ANVSA. By strengthening the roots that connect youth to family, culture, community, and support, Roots of Resilience will create a strong, sustainable foundation for youth wellbeing that benefits future generations throughout Ninilchik and neighboring communities.
