From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

The Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention Council has released a draft five-year plan for reducing the staggering number of Alaskans who kill themselves in cities and villages across the state.

Among the recommendations:

-- State funding for suicide prevention training for school teachers.
-- Promoting programs that reduce unsafe access to firearms, such as installing gun lockers in village homes.
-- Providing "bridge services" for 18- to 21-year-olds who are trying to start their adult lives but struggle with behavioral health disorders. The measure of success? Fewer young people becoming homeless.

That’s just a sampling. You can read the draft plan here.

As I read through it, I'm looking for specific recommendations for battling suicide and a blueprint to actually put those plans to work. (Does the plan suggest new laws or policies? Does it call for specific grants or funding?)

What do you think? Seeing any new ideas, and a plan for making them happen?

The state is looking for feedback on the recommendations, with the public comment period open through Nov. 30.

You can send the council your thoughts on the plan by:

-- Mailing the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, attn: Eric Morrison, 431 N. Franklin St., Suite 200, Juneau, Alaska. 99801.
-- Emailing eric.morrison@alaska.gov
-- Faxing comments to (907) 465-4410