Comanche nation GLS (CN GLS) 2026 program - the comanche nation comprehensive youth suicide prevention project will serve youth up to age 24 residing within the 8-county comanche nation service area…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded Comanche Nation $729,197 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to implement a comprehensive youth suicide prevention project serving youth up to age 24 across the eight-county Comanche Nation service area in southwest Oklahoma (Comanche, Caddo, Cotton, Kiowa, Tillman, Grady, Stephens, and Jefferson counties).

The project addresses high rates of youth suicidality and unmet treatment needs by embedding youth suicide risk screenings and response protocols within at least ten new partner sites spanning at least three youth-serving systems. Comanche Nation will screen at least 300 youth annually using evidence-based tools and ensure 90 percent of youth receive follow-up after a crisis event. The recipient will develop and implement a suicide risk response system by the end of year one and strengthen community-based prevention capacity through clinician training in suicide risk assessment and evidence-based interventions (QPR, SafeTalk, ASIST, CAMS). Additional activities include establishing a youth suicide prevention taskforce, implementing postvention planning protocols with at least five organizations, conducting an annual public education campaign reaching at least 10,000 people, and delivering lethal means safety education to at least 200 households annually through community partners.

The award period runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Comanche nation GLS (CN GLS) 2026 program - the comanche nation comprehensive youth suicide prevention project will serve youth up to age 24 residing within the 8-county comanche nation service area in southwest oklahoma, encompassing comanche, caddo, cotton, kiowa, tillman, grady, stephens, and jefferson counties with a total population of 273,557. The project will address high rates of youth suicidality and unmet treatment needs as well as gaps to include insufficient screening, lack of formalized referral pathways and continuity of care, workforce training, and lack of postvention services. A youth suicide prevention taskforce will be developed for the service area that will collaboratively assess and address gaps in care. The project has three goals including: * goal 1: by project end, embed youth suicide risk screenings as well as suicide risk response protocols within at least 10 new partner sites comprising at least 3 youth-serving systems. * goal 2: develop and implement a suicide risk response system by end of year 1, updated annually. * goal 3: strengthen community-based prevention, training, and workforce capacity throughout the 5-year project period. Measurable objectives include: -establishing 10 partner agreements with at least 3 youth-serving systems to integrate suicide risk screenings. -screening at least 300 youth annually using evidence-based tools -ensuring 90% of youth receive follow-up after a crisis event -working with at least 5 organizations to implement suicide postvention planning protocols -reaching at least 10,000 people annually through a public education campaign -training 20 clinicians annually in suicide risk assessment and evidence-based intervention (QPR, safetalk, asist, cams). - promoting lethal means safety education to at least 200 households annually through community partners.