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100 natural helpers will be trained each year to identify and refer individuals experiencing grief and feelings of loss and pain to appropriate services.
GFOL provided training to individuals to serve as natural helpers to youth and young adults. GFOL used two evidence-based programs—LivingWorks START and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)—to train natural helpers. Participants came from organizations such as the Coffee Slut, Dr. Reneau Kennedy Clinical & Forensic Psychology, Eworld Gameroom, GBHWC, Gotyoursix71, Guam Army National Guard, Guam Community College, Guam Department of Education, Guam Regional Medical City, Homeland Security, Office of Public Accountability, Tradewinds, University of Guam, and United States Air Force. A few participants had no employment or organization affiliation. During Year 2, a total of 130 natural helpers completed their training.
Outreach activities continued to be a significant part of the work completed by GFOL in Year 2. GFOL team organized and participated in outreach activities with community organizations, government entities, media outlets, and school groups. Some of the activities included participation in the COVID-19 vaccination clinics; We Silent Veteran Suicide Awareness event; Lunch Hour with PEACE; outreach activities with Granite Obayashi, Camp Blaz and Okkodo High School; GBHWC Kite Festival, Open House and 5K for Mental Health Month; pop-up event at Infusion Coffee Shop; Candlelight Campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day; GOPEACE Virtual 2-day conference; and numerous media interviews. Outreach activities also included marketing campaigns utilizing social media such as Facebook and Instagram to reach the targeted population. The campaigns held in Year 2 had an estimated reach of over 150,000 people combined.
The GFOL staff and fellows attended the Active Minds Conference in February 2021 and the 54th Annual American Association of Suicidology Conference in April 2021.
OUTREACH ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS FROM YEAR 2
OUTREACH ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS FROM YEAR 2
During January-March 2021, the GFOL staff continued their participation in the COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the University of Guam. During this period, GFOL staff participated in 12 vaccination clinics where they provided the community with information on suicide prevention and promoted suicide prevention training.
GFOL staff participated in the We Silent Veterans Suicide Awareness event on March 26, 2021. The event included a wave in support and thanks to the island’s veterans and military personnel.
The team participated in Lunch Hour with PEACE on April 21 and May 12, 2021.
On May 4, they held an outreach with Granite Obayashi with 150 participants. On May 6, they held an outreach at Camp Blaz with 100 participants. And on June 18, they held an outreach at Okkodo High School summer program with 100 participants.
As part of the Mental Health Month festivities, the team held outreaches at the GBHWC Kite Festival on May 14, the GBHWC Open House at Agana Shopping Center on May 15, and the GBHWC Wellness and Light Festival on May 29. In addition, the team was part of an interview with The Link on May 18, 2021.
The team made a presentation to the Guam Nurses Association on May 22, 2021 and also supported the GBHWC 5K: Seeing through Stigma where they provided outreach through media resources and print materials.
GFOL team also participated in the 54th Annual American Association of Suicidology Conference on April 21-25, 2021. This is a national conference that featured over 100 concurrent sessions and more than 25 speakers and subject matter experts.
GFOL hosted a pop-up event at Infusion Coffee Shop on September 10, 2021 where they distributed 3000 coffee sleeves and provided attendees with free suicide prevention information.
For World Suicide Prevention Day, GFOL also organized a candle lighting campaign in support of suicide prevention and remembrance of those lost and survivors of suicide.
On September 30-October 1, GFOL participated in the GOPEACE Virtual 2-day conference. The conference had 305 participants.
By 2024, Guam’s revised Youth Suicide Strategic Prevention and Intervention Plan for a suicide-safer community will incorporate epidemiological inferences based on qualitative data offered by individuals with lived experience, including youth and adult survivors of loss and suicide attempts.
The University of Guam awarded 4 students the “Focus on Life” Suicide Prevention Fellowship. The fellows have begun their research under the direction of Dr. Shin Hwa Lee at the School of Education. During Year 2, the fellows participated in virtual meetings, developed an initial research plan, completed CITI training, and submitted an IRB application to begin data collection.
In Years 2-5, three evidence based programs will be implemented that normalize positive coping skills and increase help-seeking behavior among youth screened “at risk” from Guam’s public school system, emergency departments, psychiatric in- or out-patient units, and other child and youth support organizations.
GFOL issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to contract with non-government organizations to provide screening services for “at risk” youth from Guam’s public school system, emergency departments, psychiatric in- or out-patient units, and other child and youth support organizations. As of July 20, no proposals were received.
RESULTS FROM YEAR 2
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