Alaska is calling for statewide community and public policy action on suicide prevention.
On Thursday, Feb. 1, the Department of Health and Social Services released “Recasting the Net: Promoting Wellness to Prevent Suicide in Alaska 2018-2022” providing resources and strategies for preventing suicide in Alaska.
An update on a 2012-2017 report compiled by the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council, the five-year plan outlines six main goals to further the prevention of suicide across the state. The report calls for Alaskans to accept responsibility for preventing suicide; prevent and mitigate the impact of trauma, substance abuse and other risk factors; coordinate prevention efforts; have immediate access to prevention, treatment and recovery services; support survivor healing; and have access to quality data and research.
The report also lays out strategies for each of the six goals and offers resources and guidance for individuals, communities, policy makers and service providers on how to prevent suicide. The report’s strategies are aligned with the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the American Indian and Alaska Native National Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan.