Given the recent string of suicides in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta -- and the fact that we had more Alaskans kill themselves in 2008 than any previous year on record -- what's the state doing about it?
Here's the answer from James Gallanos, suicide prevention program coordinator for the state:
As I mentioned we are working on developing 'postvention' resources including a 'toolkit' that will provide materials or other on-line training resources to support communities affected by suicide. Postvention refers to actions or interventions after a suicide occurs. Examples of postvention are Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams, grief and bereavement services, talking circles or suicide loss survivor groups, gatekeeper suicide prevention training, or identification, screening and referral programs to protect others who may be at risk of suicide.
These resources will be developed by the Department of Health and Social Services working with collaborative partners and stakeholders in suicide prevention over the next several months.
Got that? Meantime, here's what the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. is working on, according to Janice Hamrick, director of behavioral health clinic and village services.
Other questions:
What role do the regional Calista Corp. or Association of Village Council Presidents play? Statewide, whose responsibility is it to reduce Alaska's suicide rate, which is historically twice the national average?
There's a crowd of people running for office this summer, hoping to run the state. What are their ideas?
And how much is the state spending on suicide prevention a year? Last time I checked, it was under $1 million.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| YKHC.doc | 27.5 KB |
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
