Pacific Rim Grants: Guam

Guam’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) recently received a “big check” for $1.5 million from SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) for a State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention grant.

SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric B. Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., presented the check as part of his 2009 tour of Pacific Rim grantees and territories.

During his stay in Guam, Dr. Broderick met with DMHSA’s staff members as well as the Acting Governor of Guam, Dr. Mike Cruz.

In various meetings with Guam’s leadership, Dr. Broderick discussed the behavioral implications of the military buildup in the territory. Other topics of discussion included workforce development and SAMHSA’s recent publication of three grant announcements for drug court and reentry programs for both youth and adult offenders.

After leaving Guam, Dr. Broderick will travel to American Samoa where he will talk with Governor Tulafono and other American Samoa leaders about several initiatives. Those include SAMHSA’s Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral, and Treatment (SBIRT) program.

In addition, discussion is planned to include a proposed Pacific Mental Health Collaborative to address integrating mental health and substance abuse into general health care. This plan is critical to provide behavioral health care in rural and underserved areas.

Dr. Broderick is also scheduled to give welcoming remarks at SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Systems Review and various Strategic Prevention Framework State Infrastructure Grants (SPF SIG) events.

An address from Dr. Broderick is also scheduled for members of the Pacific Substance Abuse and Mental Health Collaborating Council (PSAMHCC). The Council is meeting in American Samoa to discuss indigenous best practices and ways to improve their reporting of National Outcome Measures (NOMs) to SAMHSA.

Left to right: Dr. Annette David, Dr. Broderick, and Bobbie S. N. Benavente. Enlarge image

Left to right: Bobbie S. N. Benavente (Supervisor), Debbie Duenas, Peter Cruz, April Aguon, Remy Malig, Helene Paulino, Dr. Broderick, Gayle Osborn, Ricardo Perez, Audrey Topasna and Michelle Sasamoto. Other staff members (not in the photo) include: Christine Camacho, Grace Rosadino, Teri Lozada, and Logan Reyes. Enlarge image

Left to right: Bobbie S. N. Benavente, Don P. Sabang, Sylvia Quinata, Dr. Broderick, Reina Sanchez, Annie Unpingco, and Marilyn Aflague. Enlarge image

Left to right: Senator Tina Muna-Barnes; Dr. Broderick; Dr. Mike Cruz, Acting Governor of Guam; Speaker Judith Won Pat; and Dr. David L. G. Shimizu, DMHSA Director. Enlarge image