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Local gatherings, resources offered for National Suicide Prevention Month
Awareness picnic planned for Saturday to ‘surround those who have lost someone to suicide’
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. An awareness community picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday is scheduled at Savikko Park by The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Juneau, the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
The community gathering will “surround those who have lost someone to suicide or are experiencing suicidality,” according to the event’s description. A ceremony is also planned in remembrance of those who died by suicide. Food and activities will also be offered at a Sandy Beach shelter marked by purple and teal balloons — the recognized colors for suicide awareness.
NAMI Juneau also plans to hold a community event next week for parents and caregivers to help them recognize signs and learn how to respond to youth struggling with suicidal thoughts. The free presentation “Signs of Suicide” is scheduled for Sept. 17 from 5 to 6:30 p.m at Floyd Dryden. A light dinner and youth activities will be included. NAMI is partnering with the Juneau School District to present the educational event.
The school district is also providing on-site crisis counseling at some schools following the recent loss of two teenagers in Juneau to suicide, according to KTOO. Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School provide teen health centers where anyone ages 13 to 20 can receive free physical and mental health services.
Alaska’s youth suicide rate is nearly six times higher than the national average, according to a bulletin by the Alaska Department of Health’s epidemiology section. The suicide-death rate for young Alaskans hit a 10-year high last year and the rate of suicide attempts has increased over the past decade, according to state health officials in the August report.
The Alaska Department of Health’s epidemiology section notes a “disproportionate burden of suicide among Alaska Native youth underscores the need for prevention strategies that are culturally responsive and community informed.”
Tlingit and Haida’s Community and Behavioral Services Healing Center started a support group last month for tribal citizens seeking connection and community. The group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month and can be reached at 907-463-7305.
NAMI hosts art-based mental health groups, as well as family support groups. The suicide prevention nonprofit offers a monthly support group for people who have lost a loved one to suicide on the fourth Saturday of every month at the Teal Street Center. The website Juneau Mental Health also includes resources, with NAMI staff available to answer questions at 907-463-4251 or the email namijuneau@gmail.com.
Other community mental health resources include JAHMI’s 24/7 crisis support by phone at 907-463-3303 and the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s free 24/7 helpline to Southeast Alaska residents at 1-877-294-0074. The Juneau Mobile Crisis Team is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily by dialing 911.
Juneau also launched a Safe Place program this summer, which aims to connect youth in crisis to community resources. The national outreach and prevention program connects children ages 10 to 17 in need of immediate help to the city-run Shéiyi Xaat Hít Shelter (Spruce Root House).
The national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing or texting 988. Careline Alaska also provides 24/7 support and can be reached by calling 1-877-266-4357 or texting 494949.
A GoFundMe has been established on behalf of Leo Phillips’ family to help with funeral and travel costs. One has also been established for Zoey Clark’s family. Both were still seeking to meet their fundraising goals as of Friday.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
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