News Type: Weekly Spark Announcement

In honor of Veterans Day, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a blog post on the role of peers in veterans’ recovery from mental illness and substance misuse.

The Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) recently shared tips for autistic trans people about finding and going to doctors. The guidance includes information on patient rights and what to expect at a doctor’s office and in the hospital.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common project has released On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges. This report is based on a nationally representative survey of young adults, teens, and parents carried out in December 2022.

SPRC is excited to release our 2023 State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment Overview. This resource summarizes findings from the third annual assessment of suicide prevention infrastructure and capacity of U.S. states and territories.

To share key information from this assessment, use our new tools:

• Brief snapshots of the three priority areas (1, 2, 3) for strengthening suicide prevention infrastructure, which include real-life success stories from states.

• Messaging toolkits for SNA 2023 participants and non-participating partners. In addition to key messages and resources, these toolkits contain newsletter blurbs, social media shareables, and slide decks.

Not sure where to start? Bookmark our one-stop SNA shop in your browser and learn more about building a solid foundation for effective, sustainable state suicide prevention efforts.

November is National Native American Heritage Month—a time to honor the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures and traditions and to acknowledge the significant contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise awareness about the challenges Native communities are facing, such as systemic oppression, and the ways they have used traditional practices, beliefs, and culture to overcome these challenges. This month, join us in highlighting resources to help support the strength, well-being, and resilience of Native communities:

• Watch our webinar series to learn how crisis centers can collaborate with Tribal communities.
• Check out findings from the first Tribal Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment and look for the second one coming out next year.
• Find guidance on weaving culture into prevention efforts.
• Read about the first-ever 988 call center for Native people and stay tuned for an SPRC spotlight on it coming later this month!

SPRC is honored to participate in A National Crisis Continuum Conference (CrisisCon23) November 13 to 16 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference lineup features a keynote address from SPRC Executive Director Shelby Rowe and Director of Lived Experience Initiatives Susie 수지 Reece, who will discuss findings from our large-scale 988 formative research project. CrisisCon23 is hosted by Crisis Residential Association, the International Council for Helplines, and the National Association of Crisis Organization Directors (NASCOD). See you there!

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has added two new videos to the 988 Partner Toolkit—The 988 Lifeline’s Impact and You Matter PSA. These videos were designed help promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline).

The Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association (ODAPCA) is hosting the 988 Tribal Mental Health Lifeline Summit on November 14 and 15 in Lawton, Oklahoma. The event will discuss how 988 can meet the needs of Tribal communities.

Have you checked out SPRC’s Best Practices Registry (BPR) lately? In the past several months, we’ve added dozens of programs and interventions that work to prevent suicide, including those that promote connectedness, strengthen suicide care, and create protective environments.

Check out these new programs—and consider joining them! Having your program listed in the BPR will stamp it as a best practice, helping to expand its reach and increase its impact. And once you’re listed, you’ll receive a digital badge of approval to add to your marketing materials.

We’re seeking applications for programs and interventions that incorporate national frameworks, best practices, and culturally relevant approaches, as well as upstream strategies. Easy to access and user friendly, the BPR’s new online application welcomes programs based on community and culturally defined evidence. To get started:

• Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more.
• Follow our guide to preparing an application.
• Apply today!

If you have questions, please contact sprcbpr@ou.edu.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has launched the first in a series of videos related to suicide risk screening practices in telehealth. This brief video emphasizes the importance of suicide risk screening and care planning in telehealth services. The other videos in the series will be released early next year.