Presentation of a comprehensive community suicide prevention program: improvements for young adult males ages 18-34 years old

Abstract

Suicide continues to be a worldwide phenomenon causing more than 44,000 deaths nationally (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention [AFSP], 2015) and 800,000 deaths globally (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Although any population can be affected by suicide, certain populations are at a higher risk of being impacted. Completed suicides by the male population have been rapidly accelerating both nationally and within the state of Montana. Over the last 40 years Montana has been in the top five states for the highest suicide rates in the nation (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services [MTDPHHS], 2016b), and as of January 2018, Montana ranked first in the nation for highest suicide death rate (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018). Male youth suicide is rising and is now the second leading cause of death between males ages 15-34 years old (CDC, 2015). Butte-Silver Bow County, located in Montana, is no exception, and is one of four counties in Montana with the highest suicide rates of 20.6/100,000 compared to Montana's suicide rate of 16.4/100,000 (MTDPHHS, 2016a). Twelve percent of males in Butte-Silver Bow County report 'fair' or 'poor' mental health (Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth [SLC], 2015). There is significant need for mental health support services for this age group. The lack of evidenced-based suicide prevention interventions/programs for males, particularly male youth, is alarming. The goal of this proposed community implementation program is to provide Butte-Silver Bow County and future communities with evidence-based interventions to decrease male youth suicides. An exhaustive literature search was conducted, and evidence-based suicide prevention programs were evaluated. As a result, evidenced-based components from Problem Solving Therapy (PST), and The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) were combined to form one comprehensive suicide prevention intervention program.