Statewide Suicide Prevention Council releases new state suicide prevention plan, “Messages of Hope”

Suicide a complex public health issue that impacts all Alaskans, without regard to age, culture, race, region, or socioeconomic background. And while rates of suicide continue to be a concern across the United States, here in Alaska, the rate is more than double that of the national average, according to the Alaska Suicide Statistics Update that was released in November, 2022.

The update presented alarming numbers that stated over 46,000 people died by suicide in 2020. That averages about 1 in 11 deaths. In Alaska, the rate is about 31 in 100,000 people dying by suicide.

Nearly 1/3 of suicides were residents of Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Kenai, according to the update.

Last week, the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council released its new 5-year State Suicide Prevention Plan, “Messages of Hope: Promoting Wellness to Prevent Suicide in Alaska, 2023-2027.”

“We are building off the momentum from the last plans, and the successes of the last (Suicide Prevention) plan,” says Eric Morrison, Council staff for the past 13 years.

The Council’s previous plan, “Recasting the Net: Promoting Wellness to Prevent Suicide in Alaska 2018-2022,” achieved many benchmarks, and with this new plan, Morrison said they had a greater focus on state services related to suicide prevention for all Alaskans and to guide the work of suicide prevention in Alaska through 2027.

“We want to focus on current and future plans, and have been putting together a subcommittee with a diverse group of stakeholders-subject matter experts, the Department of Corrections, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, to list a few. And we also looked at public comments when thinking ahead.”

The state plan subcommittee will work to update the state plan throughout 2022 and into 2023, including 2 separate public comment periods to get input from Alaskans.

In addition to the subcommittee work, there were dedicated community engagement and outreach efforts to hear from Alaskans on how best to address suicide prevention statewide, including a statewide survey that was conducted to receive feedback on the goals of the plan, and opportunities for public comment at in-person events, including the Alaska Federation of Natives conference, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Improving Lives conference, and the Out of Darkness walk in Anchorage sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“This plan focuses on how the state can move forward with advocacy, education, and enhance suicide prevention and services throughout Alaska.”

The State of Alaska has a role in bringing hope to Alaskans by promoting and supporting collaborative efforts that reduce suicide risk and help build their resiliency to stress and trauma.

This new plan, “Messages of Hope” is a five-year plan to fulfill Alaska’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Council (SSPC) statutory duty to create a statewide suicide prevention plan (AS 44.29.305). In it are recommendations to inform suicide prevention efforts at the State of Alaska. It also identifies ways Alaskans can help prevent suicide and offers resources and referral information on prevention, services, supports and crisis.

“Messages of Hope” has 6 goals, each with a number of strategies and action items to help individuals, communities, and the state help promote wellness and reduce suicide. The goals include addressing upstream factors that impact suicide; implement a broad-based Public Health response to suicide; find ways to reduce access to lethal means; boost Alaska’s Crisis Continuum of Care; address Alaska’s unique population utilizing special considerations to Alaskan elders, seniors, and youth, as well as Veterans and military families; and work to improve the quality of data and research for suicide prevention efforts.

“We wanted to pay special attention to the Alaskan youth in that transitional age range of 20-24 year-olds as they are the highest risk group for suicide,” said Morrison. “It’s a stressful time for them as they are see increased life stressors and less resources,” he added. Indeed, many within this age group are just now entering the workforce, transitioning from their families and home to independence, starting families or maybe having relationship struggles, and having legal access to alcohol and other substances.

According to the recommendations within the new suicide prevention plan, increasing support to youth and young adult service organizations that offer adult and peer social support, job coaching, life skill training, housing and housing supports and/or vocational trainings. It also advises work with youth and young adult serving organizations to understand the impacts of suicide on LGBTQA identifying Alaskan youth, and working with the alcohol and marijuana industries in Alaska to promote suicide and mental health awareness education and outreach.

There are also several new initiatives outlined in “Messages of Hope,” including the ‘Crisis Now Initiative’ that would allow specially trained mental health teams to address emergency calls for people experiencing suicidal ideation or mental health crises, rather than law enforcement.

“This is exciting for the state right now. It takes the burden off of law enforcement, steer resources out of law enforcement and to people who are specifically trained to respond to those situations,” Morrison explains.

He said that Fairbanks had already launched the initiative, and that Palmer and Wasilla should be close to implementing the program.

“We are still trying to get it launched in Anchorage.”

Another new program mentioned in the plan is the “Zero Suicide Model.” Zero Suicide is a comprehensive approach for the healthcare system to respond to suicide risk. The evidence-based framework would offer universal suicide screenings, brief interventions,

This approach would integrate suicide care within diverse healthcare settings, encouraging organizational commitment to safer suicide care for all patients in order to identify those at risk.

“Most people who are contemplating suicide have been found to visit their Primary Care Managers a month before an attempt. Unfortunately, not all primary care providers receive training in suicide prevention as part of their initial and ongoing education. This would help identify and address people at-risk and get them access to help and resources,” Morrison said.

One thing not included in the plan, but Morrison and Chairperson Barb Franks both say have an impact is the introduction of 988 to access emergency responders for people experiencing mental health crises, including suicidal ideation or attempts.

“We appreciate having it,” said Franks, who relayed its impact on a person she met. “People (in this town we were at) had concerns about a member of their community. The community had bad reception, and when I met this person, they said that they didn’t have the ability to remember the old number when in a crisis. But having 988, they said it’s easy to remember and can reach out when having a problem.”

“It has been very successful,” adds Morrison, who said the call volume has increased substantially.

Morrison also wanted to let people know that if they do reach out to the Alaska Careline, those with a 907 area code will reach assistance in Alaska, rather than someone with an out of state area code, who will be directed to that area’s Careline team.

“It’s a little thing, but important because Alaska has unique needs and not everyone in the lower 48 may understand that.”

“I am glad we are addressing community members and collaborating. COVID took its toll, so it is good to see more doors open, and people need to know the resources out there,” says Franks.

“There is a web of causality in suicide. We don’t focus on just suicidal ideation alone, but all kinds of factors-domestic violence, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol and drug use. Working with the different groups, the different resources lets us create a more comprehensive plan, and healthier communities,” says Morrison.

“Messages of Hope” is available on the Council website. A limited number of hard copies will be available later this month through the Council office. To request a hard copy or digital copy of the plan call (907) 465-6518 or visit www.health.alaska.gov/suicideprevention

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking of suicide, anyone in immediate need of crisis resources, the nationwide suicide and crisis lifeline is 988.