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 four evidence-based programs—Adult Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), LivingWorks START and SafeTALK—to train natural helpers.

Participants came from organizations such as the 988 Lifeline Volunteer, Alee Shelter, Alpha Insurers, Breaking Wave Theater Company, Catholic Social Services, Coast360, Department of Public Health and Social Services, Department of Youth Affairs, Eastern University, Guam Alternative Lifestyle Association (GALA), GBHWC, Guam Community College, Guam Community Health Clinics, GY671/Veterans for Veterans, Kupu Conservation Corp, Mañelu, Marianas Physician Group, Omega Safety Compliance, Roman Catholic Church Guam, Saint Anthony Catholic School, Sanctuary Inc., Seventh Day Adventist Clinic, Sports Concepts, St. John’s School, Tiyan High School, Transportation Security Administration, United States Postal Service, and University of Guam. A few participants had no employment or organization affiliation. And 1 participant was a retiree.

During Year 4, a total of 126 natural helpers completed their training.

OUTREACH ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS FROM YEAR 4

Outreach activities continued to be a significant part of the work completed by GFOL in Year 4. 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 Guåhan Sustainable Culture, Guam Army National Guard Readiness Center, Iron Wood Afterschool program, Junior Achievement Revive and Thrive Outreach, Mental Health Month’s Children’s Jamboree, Micronesia Mall Wellness Fair, Price Elementary School (see image below). Following Typhoon Mawar in May 2023, the GFOL team also provided outreach and promoted 988 at the FEMA Disaster Readiness Centers. Outreach activities in 2023 had a direct reach of 2,838 participants.

Suicide prevention month 2023 highlights

For Suicide Prevention Month, GFOL also participated in the following events:

On September 1, the GFOL team attended the proclamation signing (see image below) with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, recognizing September as Suicide Awareness month.
On September 14, GFOL hosted a town hall with Dr. Annette David, who provided the 2022 Suicide Statistics to 32 GBHWC Prevention staff, community partners, and local media.
On September 23, the GFOL team participated in the LifeWorks/Ashenafi Lom Foundation Candlelight Memorial.
On September 29, the GFOL team participated in the I Pinangon Suicide Prevention Forum at the University of Guam.

GOVERNOR'S CHALLENGE: "Suicide By Ligature" brochure

Through Guam's involvement in the Governor's Challenge, the GFOL team created a “Suicide By Ligature” brochure (see images below) as a resource to assist providers and caregivers with recognizing specific challenges regarding means of safety in Guam. GFOL highlights education as prevention through the brochure. This resource is in print form and can be obtained by contacting the GFOL office or can be shared electronically.

Professional Development Opportunities

The GFOL team participated in the following professional development opportunities:

The Project Director and Zero Suicide Implementation team attended the American Association of Suicidology conference in Portland, Oregon, from April 19-22, 2023.
The Project Director attended the LivingWorks Trainer Summit at the AAS conference.
The Project Director attended the Mental Health First Aid Summit and NatCON23 in Los Angeles, California, from May 1-3, 2023.
The Guam Team attended the Governor’s Challenge to reduce suicide in Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) Implementation Academy in Virginia from June 13-16, 2023.
The Social Marketer and Training Coordinator attended the Active Minds Conference in June 2023 in Washington, DC.
The Training Coordinator attended Training of Trainers (ToT) for ASIST in August 2023 and became a registered ASIST trainer (by completing 3 ASIST trainings) by the end of Year 4.
The Evaluator and Data Analyst attended the American Evaluation Association conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 9-14, 2023.

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.

In May 2023, the University of Guam’s 2 fellows under the “Focus on Life” Suicide Prevention Fellowship program graduated. 2 new fellows were recruited. They submitted an IRB application for a research study, “Suicide Ideation Survivors: Exploring Guam’s Experiences,” that was approved in November 2023. This research includes interviews with participants following the completion of a suicide ideation survey. The Fellows will begin collecting data in January 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 four organizations to implement programs for “at-risk” youth.

PARTNERSHIP with Todu GUAM FOUNDATION

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 uog press

GFOL continued their partnership with UOG Press on the full-length suicide prevention documentary, "Remembering Billie", a deep dive series to supplement the documentary, scripted creative retellings of survivors’ stories and creative writings, and resources and opportunities for community and youth engagement.

PARTNERSHIP with Gametime

Gametime, Inc. hosted a H.O.P.E. football camp on December 13-16, 2023. The camp consisted of 3 days of physical fitness training and a one-day suicide prevention & college prep conference. 108 students participated in the camp with their parents. Gametime, Inc. had 2 certified grief recovery specialists on site to distribute information and speak with parents about grief and suicide. Gametime, Inc. provided evidence-based training using “Planting the Seeds of Prevention” during the camp.

PARTNERSHIP with WESTCARE

WestCare Pacific Islands Ma’lak na Ha’ani Program hosted a Merry and Bright Holiday Camp with 22 youth participants. 7 youth participants completed the post-program survey.

RESULTS FROM YEAR 4

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