Goal 1
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 three evidence-based programs—Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), LivingWorks START and SafeTALK—to train natural helpers. Participants came from organizations such as the American Red Cross, Archway, Child and Youth Program, D&Q International Distributors, DHS/HSI, Department of Public Works, Department of Youth Affairs, Dewitt Guam, G4S/GVB, Guam Alternative Lifestyle Association (GALA), GPS Fitness Guam, Guam Army National Guard, GBHWC, Guam Community College, Guam Department of Education, GY671/Veterans for Veterans, HRRA, iCAN Resources Inc., Lombard Health, Mañelu/MRCROSS, Manggaige Ham, New Beginnings Women’s Residential, RCUOG/UOG, Ruby Tuesday, Simple Hearts Association, Thompson Thompson & Alcantara, Tohge, United Overseas Investment Co., USPS, University of Guam nursing students, and World of Wonder. A few participants had no employment or organization affiliation. And 1 participant was self-employed. During Year 3, a total of 82 natural helpers completed their training.
OUTREACH ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS FROM YEAR 3
Outreach activities continued to be a significant part of the work completed by GFOL in Year 3. GFOL team organized and participated in outreach activities with community organizations, government entities, media outlets, and school groups. Some of the activities included outreach at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, GALA Summer Camp, Breakfast with PEACE, Construction Safety Week with Granite-Obayashi, 78th Annual Liberation Day parade, “Sun-Sational Summer: Sensational Life” with WestCare Pacific Islands’ Youth Treatment and Enrichment program, and the Governor’s Parade of Lights.
Outreach activities also included marketing campaigns utilizing social media such as Facebook and Instagram to reach the targeted population. The campaigns held in Year 3 had an estimated reach of over 11,407 people combined.
The GFOL staff attended the virtual Active Minds Conference in February 2022 and the 55th Annual American Association of Suicidology Conference in April 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
Suicide prevention month 2022 highlights
For Suicide Prevention Month, GFOL also participated in the following events:
On September 2, the GFOL team attended the proclamation signing with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio recognizing September as Suicide Awareness month.
On September 6, the GFOL team hosted a boot at IP&E’s health fair. The team distributed suicide prevention information and available services at GBHWC.
On September 7, GFOL hosted the quarterly State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup meeting. Dr. Annette David provided the 2021 Suicide Statistics to about 20-30 GBHWC Prevention staff, partners, and local media.
On September 15, the GFOL team participated in the annual 2022 GOPEACE Summit. The team distributed 988 materials to attendees.
On September 22, the GFOL team joined GBHWC partners for the GY671 wave to spread awareness on the implementation of the 988 Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline.
On September 24, the GFOL team and the Guam Museum hosted a free screening of the film, My Ascension. The film focuses on a suicide survivor’s journey. The screening was followed by a question and answer with the attendees.
On September 24, the UOG Press in partnership with GFOL hosted an Open Mic Night. Writers shared pieces that addressed suicide prevention and the mental health crisis on islands. 100-120 participants attended the event.
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 has 2 fellows under the “Focus on Life” Suicide Prevention Fellowship program. The fellows submitted an IRB application in March 2022 and were approved to begin collecting data. The call for participants was released in Quarter 4 with the goal of recruiting 5 participants. Interviews are set to begin in March 2023.
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 partnered with three organizations to implement programs for “at-risk” youth.
PARTNERSHIP with WESTCARE
In July 2022, WestCare Pacific Islands’ Youth Treatment and Enrichment programs hosted a one-week summer camp, “Sun-Sational Summer: Sensational Life,” with youth ages 11-14. The camp included 5 days of activities that enhanced youth’s mental health and well-being increased their capacity to make positive choices, and engaged in pro-social activities. 38 youth participated in the camp.
PARTNERSHIP with Gametime
GameTime hosted a HOPE football camp on December 14-17, 2022. The camp consisted of 3 days of physical fitness training and a one-day suicide prevention & college prep conference. 120 students participated in the camp with their parents. GameTime had 2 certified grief recovery specialists on site to distribute information and speak with parents about grief and suicide. GameTime provided evidence-based training during the camp.
PARTNERSHIP with uog press
UOG Press held the Youth Art Matters contest in March 2022.
The project raised awareness about suicide in Guam among youth ages 15-24. UOG Press partnered with GFOL to hold workshops with artists and writers in March and April. Local artists and writers worked with 24 youth participants in art, film, writing, and acting workshops.
In September 2022, during Suicide Preventin Month, UOG Press held a series of events and activities centered around the book and accompanying film, Dry Nights by Pep Borja.
The events included a workshop tour, poetry open mic night, and film showing and panel discussion.
The workshop tour included 5 workshops and had participation from 71 students, ages 12-18, from Guam Department of Education (GDOE) and Department of Youth Affairs (DYA). Workshop leaders and participants discussed suicide prevention, mental-health awareness, and creativity.
The open mic night had 15 performers who shared poetry that addressed suicide prevention and the mental health crisis in Guam. 120 guests attended the event.
The film showing included an hour-long panel discussion that focused on the impact of the film and book as well as suicide prevention resources. 91 guests participated in this event.
RESULTS FROM YEAR 3
