Youth Suicide Prevention Efforts in Southwest Phoenix, Arizona Parsai, Monica1; Chavez, Erica2; Cossio, Lydia2; Dooner, Colin2 and Parsai, Ilana1 1. Saguaro Evaluation Group 2. Touchstone Health Services Abstract (Click) Methods (Click) Conclusion (Click) Results (Click) Click Headings to View More Information

Abstract Summary Touchstone Health Services Project AWARE Team In 2014, 13.2% of youth 12 to 18 years of age reported suicide attempts in the Southwest Valley of greater Phoenix. Through Project AWARE “front line” adults are trained as Mental Health First Aiders. The curriculum used was the Youth Mental Health Fist Aid USA from the National Mental Health First Aid Council. Over 500 Mental Health First Aiders were trained in the program. Over 3,100 youth referrals to mental health services and various community resources have been made in the two years of the program. The evaluation results indicate the high need for mental health services for youth in the project area, and the need for Mental Health First Aid training for professionals, paraprofessionals and community members. Summary Touchstone Health Services Project AWARE Team

Measures and Methods Measures Analysis The Bruno Anthony Survey is used pre- and post-training to evaluate First Aiders knowledge about mental health, attitudes providing mental health first aid and expected behavior changes. First Aiders submit youth referral’s information to the evaluators for tracking. Number of people that receive awareness messages and information related to suicide prevention and mental health through social media and community events is tracked by the Project AWARE team and submitted to the evaluators. Analysis Project AWARE pre- and post-surveys collected during Mental Health First Aide trainings were analyzed using frequencies and paired-sample T-Test.

Demographic of Mental Health First Aiders and Results at Post-Training Chart 1. Gender and Primary Language Chart 2. Education Chart 3. Title/Career Results of Pre- and Post-Surveys and People Reached Through Awareness Messages Table 1. Percent Change for Knowledge, Attitudes and Confidence delivering MHFA, from pre- to post-training Table 2. Number of People Reached with prevention messages

Conclusions The need for mental health services in Phoenix, and specially in the Southwest Valley, is evident on the number of referrals completed by the Mental Health First Aiders. Project AWARE in Arizona is one of five States in number of referrals completed. the first The increases in knowledge, attitudes towards providing mental health first aid and confidence delivering those services are also a sign of the need for information, community education and raising awareness about mental health topics. The overwhelming response from community members and professionals that ask for mental health first aid training demonstrates that the community is ready to take action to prevent more unnecessary deaths and injuries related to suicide attempts. The implications for policy are multiple: (1) negotiating with health insurance to provide coverage of mental health services to include people of all ages; (2) making mental health first aid training available to school staff who are working daily with children and youth; and (3) budgeting adequately for mental health services for children and youth.