{"id":102320,"date":"2019-08-30T14:47:50","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T00:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=102320"},"modified":"2019-08-30T14:52:02","modified_gmt":"2019-08-31T00:52:02","slug":"suicide-prevention-resources-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2019\/08\/30\/suicide-prevention-resources-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> Hilo grant aims to strengthen suicide prevention resources"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo has received a three-year grant of $261,000 to support campus Counseling Services<\/a> in efforts to build suicide prevention resources and strategies. The U.S.<\/abbr> Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA<\/abbr>) awards the grant.<\/p>\n

“We want to find out what is working and what more can be done\u2014hopefully three or four steps upstream\u2014to promote wellness and prevent situations that, although always complex and unique, may ultimately lead to suicide,” says Emily Low<\/strong>, UH<\/abbr> Hilo Counseling Services counselor and principal investigator of the grant. “The goal is to meet the needs of all students, including veterans and LGBTQI students, who are at higher risk for suicide, and Native Hawaiians, men and other groups who may be less likely to seek help when in distress.”<\/p>\n

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Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Lifestyles Peer Mentor Sean teaching Mōkaulele Peer Mentor Leimana the hei “Kānehoalani” at a Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Community College event. (Photo credit: Monica Burnett, I Ola Hāloa-Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Lifestyles Program)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is the second time the UH<\/abbr> Hilo Student Health and Wellness Programs<\/a>, housed within the Division of Student Affairs<\/a>, has been awarded a SAMHSA<\/abbr> Garrett Lee Smith grant. The past grant was used to train 1,354 students, staff and faculty in suicide prevention; add suicide prevention lifeline information cards in campus restrooms; and increase mental health awareness and education.<\/p>\n

“Recent survey data from UH<\/abbr> Hilo indicates that our students experience notable levels of anxiety, distress and depression\u2014all of which can be risk factors for suicide,” notes Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Farrah-Marie Gomes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

According to the American College Health Association\u2019s College Health Assessment released in 2016, over the past 12 months, students at UH<\/abbr> Hilo reported the following:<\/p>\n