Grantee Categories: Garrett Lee Smith Tribal

Western Oregon University

The overall goal of the Western Oregon University (WOU) Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Project (SPMHPP) is to strengthen the WOU infrastructure by developing a comprehensive, collaborative, effective, and culturally inclusive approach to suicide prevention and mental health promotion on campus. Major components of SPMHPP are to develop additional protocols to strengthen the suicide response system on campus; to create a web presence for suicide prevention and mental health promotion; to train students, faculty, and staff in the risk factors and warning signs of suicide and how to intervene; to reduce the stigma associated with help-seeking behavior; and to increase the awareness and utilization of resources. This project will serve approximately 5,400 students for the duration of the grant. WOU has an annual enrollment of 5,400 students. The campus population is primarily White (65%). Hispanic/Latino students comprise approximately 13% of the student body, American Indian/Alaska Natives 2%, Black/African American 4%, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 3%, Asian 3%, and unknown 4%. International Students represent 6% of the student body, with the primary countries of origin being Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, and South Korea. Activities will be designed to address the needs of high-risk student populations such as first-generation, low-income, Hispanic, veterans and military families, American Indian and Alaskan Natives, and students who identify as LGBTQ+. The project has identified the following six objectives as our foci:

(1) establish a Suicide Prevention Task Force;

(2) develop postvention protocols for supporting the campus in the event of a student suicide;

(3) increase the capacity for staff, faculty, and student leaders to respond to, assist, and refer students at risk through gatekeeper training;

(4) develop and implement ongoing educational programs/seminars/events on suicide prevention and mental health promotion, some of which will be designed to engage and respond to at-risk students (e.g., first generation, low income, LGBTQ+, veterans, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic);

(5) develop and disseminate informational materials addressing issues related to suicide that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for students and families; and

(6) promote the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and local suicide prevention hotlines within the campus community. Additionally, we will evaluate all components of the project through process, performance, and outcome measures.

West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health

West Virginia will implement this grant statewide through the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health’s six regions, in partnership with Prevent Suicide WV and the Regional Youth Service Centers, to serve youths aged 10-24 at risk of suicide through suicide prevention and early intervention strategies in schools, higher education institutions, juvenile justice and foster care systems, substance use prevention and treatment programs, mental health programs, and other youth-serving organizations. This grant will build upon the state’s prior GLS grants, which made great strides in suicide prevention education and policy in schools and higher education institutions, to crystallize systemic integration of suicide risk screening, assessment, referral safety planning, and follow-up in other youth-serving settings, including primary care, emergency department, and psychiatric settings. The overarching goal is to reduce youth suicides through a seamless, sustainable, accessible continuum of care for youths at risk of suicide in the state.

Weber State University

To better meet the mental health needs of our students, Weber State University (WSU) in Ogden, Utah is proposing a
new peer support program, titled Wildcat Support Network (WSN). The program will train peers to facilitate evidencebased
support groups that will address our ability to better identify students at risk, increase help seeking behaviors, help
students develop life skills, and increase social connectedness. We expect the expanded capacity WSN will provide will
afford significantly lower rates of suicide and suicide ideation.

Wayne State University

Wayne State University (WSU) is proposing a suicide prevention project whose purpose is to eliminate deaths by suicide in the University community through the development of an infrastructure of education, training, and dissemination of information to all faculty, staff, students and their families. WSU plans to create an environment in which mental health issues are not stigmatized, seeking help is encouraged and seen as a strength, and members of the campus community step in to prevent harm to each other. This will be accomplished through the development of collaborative networks, innovative marketing campaigns, gatekeeper training programs, and culturally-appropriate educational programs. Although all members of the campus will be included, this project will work to provide targeted programs and outreach to students at particular risk including those who identify themselves as LGBTQ, military veterans, and those living in campus residence halls. Particular attention will be paid to students who are often marginalized including those who are minority students or have mental health disabilities.

WSU is a public university with an enrollment of over 27,000 students. It is located in Detroit, Michigan. The University is primarily a nonresidential campus with nearly 90% of students living off campus. WSU is the most ethnically diverse public university in the State of Michigan. The need for comprehensive suicide prevention efforts is clear from data derived from the University. At least six suicides have occurred in the last several years; however, accurate tracking has not been possible. Nevertheless, other data from student surveys indicate that our students are highly stressed, juggle many responsibilities, and many are not fully prepared academically. Those who seek services at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) have higher symptom levels than are typical at the counseling centers of universities the size of WSU.

Five goals are designed to impact the campus as a whole by creating a permanent infrastructure change for prevention services as well as approximately 4000 persons directly over the 3 year project period. These goals are:

1) Create a networking infrastructure that links WSU with health care providers from the broader community and resources;
2) Develop a gatekeeper training program on suicide prevention and mental health issues for all members of the University community, including students, faculty and staff;
3) Develop and implement, both in person and online, culturally appropriate educational seminars to all members of the University community;
4) Develop a cohesive marketing strategy that is culturally appropriate and advertises the WSU network infrastructure (and resources), the gatekeeper training (Kognito modules and Mental Health First Aid), the education seminars, college and national suicide prevention hotlines and Crisis Text Line; and,
5) Develop culturally appropriate online and print educational resources for parents and families to supplement information received in person at orientation.

Washoe Nation

The Washoe Nation (WN) Health Clinic Healing Center’s youth suicide prevention and early intervention project will improve/expand upon strategies in behavioral health programs, educational Institutions, juvenile justice systems, and other child- youth-serving organizations for ages 10-24 struggling with trauma, depression, and/or suicidal ideation living in WN’s four reservation communities( Carson, Dresslerville, Stewart, and Woodfords) and surrounding areas. Services target Washoe and American Indian/ Alaskan Native youth and their family members in the community sitting. Prevention (improve response to suicide) includes informing participants, partners, professionals, and the public in effort to prevent, delay, reduce or eliminate suicide and promote wellness in the communities. It will include universal, selective and indicated prevention types. Strategies will include information dissemination (public awareness campaign), education, alternatives, early identification/referrals, capacity building, and environment (tribal codes). Quarterly community presentations, submission to the Health Centers newsletter, and community wide activities will take place in the communities. Early Intervention (screening and referral will increase our community’s ability to identify and refer youth at risk for suicide in multiple departments throughout the WN including, but now limited to, education , health, juvenile probation, recreation and social services ( including Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Gatekeeper and Crisis Intervention training for 50 community providers, partners, and public takes place eight times per year (400 total). Early Intervention (assessment and services) will naturally result after a positive screen and referral. A school-based Mental Health Therapist will provide crisis intervention , assessment and treatment (including post-suicide intervention) onsite within the school system for an estimated 30 youth per year. Continuing Care Services (including post suicide intervention) will assist youth in transition (step down) from more intensive to less intensive services as they reconnect with their community. Behavioral Intervention Specialist (intensive services for very high risk) will provide behavioral modification with youth in community, school, office and home settings for approximately 20 youth total per year. Medical Social Worker will coordinate wraparound services with community providers to include, at minimum, screening, crisis intervention, care coordination, and family support for an estimated 75 youth and their family members at community- and office-based settings. Data collection and sharing will inform community members, leaders, partners, and professionals.

Wabanaki Health and Wellness

Wabanaki Health and Wellness (WHW), in partnership with Wabanaki Public Health (WPH) recognizes that there is an ongoing need to increase infrastructure support and capacity to adequately serve Native American youth from the five tribal communities in Maine (Aroostook Band of Micmac; Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; Passamaquoddy – Pleasant Point; Passamaquoddy – Indian Township; and Penobscot Nation, are known as the Wabanaki, the People of the First Light). Additionally, it is necessary to improve the system of care for behavioral health treatment, suicide prevention, and recovery for community members. Equally important, is the level of ongoing supports and services offered to parents, guardian’s, and caregivers; many of whom lead single-parent households, living in rural areas who need assistance with the complexities of raising a family. WHW and WPH seeks funding to improve and increase suicide prevention programming with the ultimate goal of decreasing youth suicide attempts and completions. To do this, we are proposing a project that will substantially increase the capacity of the behavioral health system, improve the suicide data surveillance system, and improve and enhance the system of behavioral health care. This will be accomplished by (1) leveraging and expanding youth prevention strategies using evidence-based strategies to increase community engagement, (2) expanding current case management and peer programs (3) increase connections between Tribal providers (i.e. health clinic, juvenile justice, foster care, etc.) for screening and referral to services providing opportunities for early identification and intervention (4) conducting community, parent, and provider trainings to raise awareness and support, (5) building crisis intervention teams to provide support for attempted and completed suicides, (6) collaborating with a higher education partner, University of Nebraska Medical School to develop a youth mental health and suicide surveillance system, and (7) ensuring all activities are grounded in culture.

Valparaiso University

The One-of-Us Initiative at Valparaiso University (ONUS VU) will create a more connected and safer campus community focused on decreasing risk by collectively promoting life. This program will serve our general student body, but will specifically target student veterans, LGBTQA and commuter students (populations at increased risk for suicide). University leaders and several VU campus departments and programs have volunteered their time and expertise to help develop sustainable partnerships and create a systemic structure for managing critical student incidents, mental health emergencies, and suicide. ONUS VU will bring together VU Counseling Services and other Student Affairs offices, Inclusion & Student Success Services (which includes Veterans Programs), Academic Affairs, Campus Ministry, and the Departments of Psychology, Social Work, and Education.

ONUS VU has four primary goals:

  1. Enhance mental health services for all college students; including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness, and/or substance use disorders that can lead to school failure.
  2. Increase the capacity to prevent mental and substance use disorders among college students.
  3. Promote help-seeking behavior and reduce negative public attitudes among students, faculty, and staff at Valparaiso University.
  4. Implement and continue evidence-based programs to improve the identification and treatment of at-risk college students so they can successfully complete their studies.

We will meet these goals through creating a network infrastructure between the campus and local communities and providing evidence-based trainings, awareness and stigma reduction programs, connectedness assessments and interventions, and increasing our capacity to screen for, assess, and treat suicide risk and mental and substance use disorders. We will add 12 new QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) trainers to our campus community and provide QPR gatekeeper trainings to at least 500 students, faculty, staff, and community members by the end of the grant. We also will provide information and outreach about mental health/substance use disorder services, and about suicide and suicide prevention, to our students and the local communities in coordination with Counseling Services and the Office of Alcohol & Drug Education, and via the following activities: an aggressive media and social media campaign, external speakers, and two annual courses on suicide.

Valencia College

Valencia College seeks funding to develop a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), an initiative that will:

1) Define a behavioral intervention plan to include a multi-disciplinary communication and escalation plan per campus, along
with training for faculty and staff to identify questionable student behaviors early on, an intervention approach rather
than a reactive response.

2) Build a more robust crisis identification system and response infrastructure, with the goal of triangulating multiple sources of data into one reporting system and structure 3) Launch a student campaign to teach students about identification and intervention of mental health and substance abuse disorders.

This three year project, based on a triage model, aligns with the Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention, a model
advocated by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). Valencia College is a multi-campus designated Hispanic
Serving Institution and high minority college, with 29% of students being first generation. The College serves veterans,
international students, students with disabilities, LGBT+, and homeless students. In addition to serving the general
college population, the proposed project actively involves participants from such vulnerable populations, at risk for
increased suicidal ideation or action. Measureable project goals are:

Goal #1: Create a behavioral intervention plan to include a communication and escalation plan per campus, along with training for faculty and staff to identify student of
concern behaviors.

Goal #2: Increase data-sharing and improve communication across multiple locations via a campuswide
incident reporting system. Provide gatekeeper training on the new system.

Goal #3: Improve student understanding of mental health issues, identification and intervention strategies, and knowledge of resources available. All program
activities and outcomes will be provided for the National Outcomes Evaluation, along with recommendations to further
increase mental well-being and decrease incidents of student crisis, suicide, and substance abuse at Institutes of Higher
Education across the nation.

Utah

The Utah Youth Hope Project is committed to reducing the rate of fatal and non-fatal suicides for youth and young adults in Utah. Key partners will work together to implement a comprehensive approach to youth suicide prevention and early intervention both statewide and in targeted areas. The following goals is to increase the number of adults who interact with youth who are prepared to respond to youth at risk for suicide, increase access to and quality of behavioral health care for youth at risk for suicide, to improve rapid follow up and care transitions for youth and young adults at risk suicide , to increase implementation evidence based early intervention and screening assessment strategies, and increase state and local capacity to implement evidence based post suicide intervention strategies.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The UWEC Thrive: Pathways to Success and Well-Being program aims to build capacity to help students thrive and reduce risk for school failure due to mental illness, substance use problems, and suicide. This goal will be accomplished by building an integrated, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive prevention infrastructure focusing on

  1. better identification and assistance of students at-risk through screening programs,
  2. building resilience, life skills, and social connections through outreach programming,
  3. strengthening care linkages with campus and local providers, and
  4. enhancing mental health services.

Our program will be delivered to the 10,000+ enrolled students annually, targeting our campus’ high-risk groups such as LGBTQ+ (16%), Veteran (3%), racial/ethnic minority (9%), and first/second-year students, along with faculty/staff and community members. The proposed program has three primary objectives driving our activities:

  1. By the end of the grant, there will be a 30% reduction in student failure/attrition due to suicide, mental health, and substance use problems.
  2. There will be a 10% reduction, each year of the grant, in the number of students in crisis due to suicide, mental health, or substance use concerns.
  3. By the end of the grant, have a formalized care network including county crisis teams, hospitals, and outpatient behavioral health providers that will grow by at least 2 new providers each year to facilitate safe care transitions for students between campus and local providers.

To achieve these objectives we will implement comprehensive, voluntary screening practices for early identification of students at risk, connecting them to support resources. Information and trainings regarding effectively responding to students with mental health and substance use disorders will be provided to students, faculty, and staff multiple times throughout the year. The group program at Counseling Services will be expanded in addition to creating and providing resilience and life-skills workshops. Active bystander and wellness outreach programs will work towards reducing negative attitudes and assisting others in accessing help. A peer support specialist program will be implemented to build social connections. We plan to strengthen care transitions by creating a formal network with local providers and by providing training in evidence based assessment, intervention, and prevention practices. This program is guided by the SPRC comprehensive approach to suicide prevention to ensure a solid, well-coordinated, and sustainable infrastructure is created in order to reduce the adverse consequences of mental health and substance use disorders, including suicides and school failure, on our campus.