Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 1

Ann D. Kirkwood, MASenior Research Associate

Idaho State University

Institute of Rural Health

12301 W. Explorer Dr. #102

Boise, ID 83723

kirkann@isu.edu

Rural Suicide Prevention Strategies:Rural Suicide Prevention Strategies:

Alliances for a Shared VisionAlliances for a Shared Vision

Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 2

� Fourth most often identified priority

� Suicide attempts/completions are higher

� 75% rural communities lack psychiatrists

� 95% lack child psychiatrist

� Mental health outcomes are generally worse› More inpatient services, severity of symptoms

� Primary care major source of services

� Traumatic events increase risk factors

� Stigma is more acute

Gamm et. al

Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 3

� Suicide 2nd leading cause of death

among Idaho’s young people

� 85-94% of youth who suicide have a

mental health and/or substance abuse

problem

� 60% of Idaho’s population resides 90% of

the land mass (rural/frontier areas)

� Mental health profession shortage areas

are found statewide

� Few mental health and suicide

prevention communication initiatives

specifically for rural areas

� None addressing needs of frontier areas

� Rural areas often rely on informal

partnerships to address concerns

� Rural partnerships for mental health and

suicide prevention can be used

� Town 1, 2,600 people

› 3 suicides in 5 months (age teen to adult)

› 3 attempts in 5 months

� Town 2, 2,100 people

› 2 suicides in 6 months

› 3 attempts in 6 months

Copyright Ann D. Kirkwood 7

Innovations in Innovations in

CommunicationCommunication

� Everyone knows my business

� Pull yourself up by your bootstraps

� People with mental problems are just weak

� We don’t have a suicide problem

� We don’t have providers

� System/Circle of care

� Education strategies

� Education strategies

� Media messaging

� Telehealth Strategies

� 1997-2001– Mass media campaign› Documentary› Jr/Hi video

› TV/Radio PSAs

› Speakers tools› International George Peabody Award

� 2000-present – Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. For Children’s Mental Health› Trained 7,800 adult gatekeepers› Signs, symptoms, suicide protective and risk factors, stigma, trauma, and treatment options

› Recognized by SAMHSA, NCTSN, NAMI, Rand Corp

2006-present: � YSP funded by SAMHSA GLSMA� Rural Focus: Provide skills, support and communication tools to grassroots

� Videoconference continuing education� Awareness campaign toolkits & social marketing instruction

� Leadership development� Organizational sustainability for SPANs� Children’s Mental Health Councils� Better Todays rural trainer network� POST first responder curriculum/trainings

� Tribal Coordinating Council

› 2 tribal presentations (7 recognized tribes)

› Speaker at Idaho Indian Child Welfare

Conference 2007

› Provided Indian Life Skills Curriculum to all

tribes

� Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs

› Spanish radio Novellas

› Spanish Better Todays

� Asian and Pacific Islanders

› Campus activities

� Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration (SAMHSA)

� Suicide Prevention Resource Center

� National Child Traumatic Stress Network

� Office for the Advancement of

Telehealth

� NIMH Outreach Partnership Program

� Governor’s Council on Suicide Prevention

� Idaho Planning Council on Mental Health

� Idaho Supreme Court

� Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

� Bureau of Vital Statistics

� Idaho 2-1-1 CareLine Information & Referral

� Idaho Rural Health Association

� Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections

� SPAN Idaho & regional chapters� Local Children’s Mental Health Councils� NAMI Idaho & affiliates� Federation of Families, Regional Support Specialists & Youth Council

� School districts� Rural hospitals� Churches� Boise Parks & Recreation� Boise Police Department� Girl Scouts� Idaho Parents Unlimited� Counties’ Probation and Parole

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