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SAMHSA News Room
Contact Media Services: (240) 276-2130

SAMHSA News Bulletin

Date: 8/20/2008
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130

SAMHSA Awards More Than $16 Million to Tribes/Tribal Organizations for Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the award of 12 grants totaling more than $16 million over three years to support suicide prevention efforts undertaken by tribes/tribal organizations.

This grant program is authorized under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which provides funding for programs to combat suicide.

SAMHSA Deputy Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., made the announcement at the Interdepartmental Tribal Justice, Safety and Wellness Government-to-Government Consultation, Training and Technical Assistance Session in Billings, Mont. 

“As a result of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, SAMHSA works with state and local governments, communities and tribes/tribal organizations to stem the number of youth suicides in our country,” said Dr. Broderick.  “These new grantees will help fill a significant need in their communities.”

Nationally, an estimated 900,000 youth had made a plan to commit suicide during their worst or most recent episode of major depression, and 712,000 attempted suicide during such an episode. The data are from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which asked youth ages 12-17 about symptoms of depression, including thoughts about death or suicide.

The total approximate amount for the grant award period, which ranges from one to three years, is $16 million. First-year funding totals nearly $6 million.  Continuation of these awards is subject to both availability of funds and progress achieved by awardees.

The grants announced today will be administered by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services and will be awarded to the following organizations:

Gila River Behavioral Health Authority Youth Suicide Prevention Project, The Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, Ariz. -- $496,889 for the first year to provide suicide prevention and intervention services through Saving Lives for Tomorrow.

Omaha Nation Community Response Team - Project Hope, Walthill, Neb. --  $500,000 for the first year  to build on prior suicide prevention efforts in order to develop and implement a tribal youth suicide prevention initiative, grounded in strong partnerships and collaborations. 

Mescalero Apache School Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative,
Mescalero, N.M. -- $432,282 for the first year to implement and evaluate a comprehensive early intervention and suicide prevention model.

Wiconi Wakan Health & Healing Center, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, S.D. -- $477,570 for the first year to establish the Wiconi Wakan  Health & Healing Center, a place to implement the Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Project Plan. 

Circle of Trust Youth Suicide Prevention Program, The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation, Pablo, Mont. -- $166,667 for the first year to implement a prevention project that will include both CSKT members and nonmembers.

Preserving Life: Nevada Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative, Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Sparks, Nev. -- $500,000 for the first year to support, expand, and enhance suicide prevention efforts within the communities of the Nevada Tribes by implementing goals in the three areas of interest of the Indian Health Service Suicide Prevention Plan--Awareness, Interventions, and Methodology. 

Youth Suicide Prevention, The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Ft. Thompson, S.D. -- $450,390 for the first year to enhance the Tribe’s suicide prevention strategies and meet the objectives of its suicide prevention plan. 

Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Program, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge, S.D. -- $500,000 for the first year to develop and implement a comprehensive and sustainable program to prevent suicide.

Wiconi Ohitika Project, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten, N.D. -- $485,857 for the first year to provide suicide prevention for the Spirit Lake Nation. 

Sault Tribe Alive Youth (STAY) Project, Sault Ste Marie Tribe Chippewa Indians,  Sault Ste Marie, Mich. -- $500,000 for the first year to work with tribal and non-tribal stakeholders to develop and implement a broad-based, culturally competent suicide prevention and early intervention program. 

Bering Strait Suicide Prevention Program, Kawerak, Inc., Nome, Alaska -- $500,000 for the first year to assist villages in developing prevention strategies through capacity building, education, training, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration and elder guidance. 

Native Youth Suicide Prevention Project, Native American Rehabilitation Association, Portland, Ore. -- $500,000 for the first year to expand and strengthen youth suicide prevention networks.

Additional grants will be awarded this year for suicide prevention efforts under the Garrett Lee Smith program.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.


Page Last Updated: 8/20/2008