A Brief Description of Maine’s Program, Lessons Learned, and Resources 5/07

Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program (MYSPP) History 1987 Statute requiring program Governor King Task Force Children’s Cabinet Work Teams EMSC grant obtained 1998 Original Plan implemented 2000 Children’s Cabinet Statute/Initiative 2002 CDC Grant 2005 Governor Executive Order 2005 SAMHSA Grant

Coordination-DHHS, ME CDC Collaborating Departments of State Government Steering Committee Sub-Committees Maine Youth Action Network MYSPP Organization

Governor’s Office/Children’s Cabinet Health & Human Services/Public Health, & Behavioral Health Education Public Safety Corrections Labor (added in 2003) State Partners in Collaboration

External Partners in Collaboration Crisis Agency Directors National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Maine Youth Action Network Keeping Maine’s Children Connected Universities Local School Systems and Community Agencies & Organizations Local Police and EMS

MYSPP Funding Sources MCH Block Grant PHHS Block Grant SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith grant State General Fund Children’s Cabinet Participant fees & Private Donations

MYSPP Goals To Reduce the Incidence of Suicide & Suicidal Behavior Among 10 – 24 Year Olds Ten goals developed in 2006 to align with the Suicide Prevention National Strategy

MYSPP Components Statewide Crisis Hotline & Information and Resource Center Public awareness resources and programs Training programs Lethal means education Media education Data collection Evaluation of selected strategies

MYSPP Features Gatekeeper Training Beyond the Basics of Suicide Prevention Annual Conference Lifelines Teacher Training TOT for Awareness Education Protocol Workshops Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Guidelines Website

Maine’s CDC Project 12 ME High Schools – 5 with <500 students 7 >500 students Goals: Increase School Readiness to: Identify, appropriately respond and refer youth at risk for suicide; and Effectively manage the school environment following a suicide.

A Comprehensive Youth Suicide Prevention Program Lifelines Program Comprehensive School Suicide Prevention Program Administrative Protocols Memorandum of Agreement with Crisis Provider Knowledgeable Adult School Community (GK, TOT, LL) -Identify Key School Staff Identify At-Risk Students Provide Appropriate Assistance Responding tp Attempt Transitioning Students Aftermath of a Suicide Outline of Available Services How to Access Services What to Expect When Services Are Requested Gatekeeper Training selected staff Suicide Prevention Awareness for All Staff Parent /community Information and Resources Lifelines Teacher Training Student Suicide Prevention Lessons Lifelines Student Lessons

Key Findings from CDC Project Technical assistance vital to protocol development & overall implementation Protocols a critical component for schools Administrative support essential to success To be adopted by schools, student lessons must align with State learning standards Readiness to respond to suicidal behavior and to manage the school environment inc.

Gatekeeper Training Findings 226 trained, at each school Readiness to Intervene with at risk students (measured by 6 items: comfort, confidence, knowledge and willingness to intervene) increased significantly between pre-test and 6 mo follow-up survey Identification and referral increased slightly Teachers highest rate of referrals

Awareness Education Findings 75% of faculty & staff in project schools received education 91% received information about protocols >90% knew where to refer a student about whom they were concerned Confidence in knowing what to do increased from 34% to 64%

Lifelines Student Lessons Findings Pre- & post-tests, classroom observation & control groups in 2 schools Students showed: Significant increase in favorable attitudes toward help seeking from adults Significant increase in confidence in school’s ability to respond Improved knowledge of suicide prevention and helping resources

Event Reports Identified Referred Students Data gathered from 9/04-6/06: 344 for 12 schools - 65% females, 35% males School staff referral rates: teachers, administrators, nurses & guidance counselors 61 students referred self or other student 38% cases immediately referred to crisis services & 16% cases immediately referred to hospital ED 20% at risk of suicide, 19% possibly at risk 43% no immediate suicide risk, help needed

MYSPP Strengths Governor & Children’s Cabinet Support Collaboration across departments Having both a program coordinator AND a training and education coordinator Dedicated personnel with longevity Valued by participants and survivors Grant writing efforts secured federal funding (EMS-C, CDC, SAMHSA)

Strategic Issues Maintaining & strengthening participation in implementing MYSPP activities among all Children’s Cabinet agencies; Increasing partnerships with key stakeholders outside of state government such as survivors; Strengthening efforts to be inclusive in planning and implementing culturally sensitive program components; Planning for and obtaining continued funding to increase integration of suicide prevention within multiple systems; Addressing rural issues such as firearms and accessibility of services; and Improving the collection & analysis of data to monitor health status & guide development & evaluation of initiatives.

MYSPP Resources Information booklet Gatekeeper manual Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Guidelines CDC Project: Notes From the Field & Evaluation Report Suicide Surveillance Report A Life Saved video Website:

More information MYSPP web site Contacts MYSPP Coordinator Cheryl DiCara (207) MYSPP Training and Education Project Director Linda Williams (207) ext.243 Teen and Young Adult Health Director Nancy Birkhimer (207) Information and Resource Center (207)