Pacific County Youth Suicide Prevention and Response Project

Pacific County, Washington has the 10th highest suicide rate in the state. In response to this alarming statistic, the Pacific County Public Health & Human Services (PCHHS), in collaboration with WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center (JPRC) propose a comprehensive youth suicide prevention and response project. This project aims to address the high rates of hopelessness, anxiety, and suicide attempts among 8th-12th graders in Pacific County, as revealed by the 2023 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey. The project will focus on four key objectives: 1) Delivering suicide awareness and prevention training to students, school staff, and parents; 2) Establishing a trauma response protocol and providing implementation support; 3) Implementing the Sources of Strength program in all high schools; and 4) Conducting a comprehensive evaluation of current suicide prevention policies and procedures. The project will utilize evidence-based programs such as Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA), Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), QPR Gatekeeper Training, Sources of Strength, and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to equip individuals with the necessary skills to identify and respond to signs of mental health challenges and suicidal ideation. By addressing the immediate needs related to suicide prevention education and postvention strategies, and implementing long-term resiliency-building activities and policy reviews, this project aims to create a safer and more supportive environment for youth in Pacific County, ultimately reducing the suicide rate and promoting mental well-being.