Project Grant H79SM090047

The Wichita And Affiliated Tribes (WAT) received a $1,470,000 Project Grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.243) program. The 5-year grant, effective September 30, 2024, will fund the "Raising Interest in Suicide Education (R.I.S.E)" suicide prevention program for Native youth aged 10-24 in the Indian Health Service's Lawton Service Area in southwest Oklahoma.

The key goals of the program are to: 1) increase the number of youth-serving organizations that can identify, work with, and refer Native youth at risk of suicide to mental health services; 2) increase the capacity of clinical service providers to assess, manage, and treat youth at risk of suicide; and 3) improve continuity of care for youth identified as suicidal, including those discharged from emergency or inpatient psychiatric settings. The program will employ evidence-based, culturally appropriate strategies to provide suicide prevention activities, immediate support, referrals, safety planning, and post-suicide intervention services to a minimum of 450 Native youth over the 5-year period.