Gila River Health Care Corporation

The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) proposes to provide suicide prevention and early intervention services through the Gila River Youth Suicide Prevention Project. Services will include life skills/peer leadership training focusing on developing coping strategies for youth; two equine programs comprised of school site ground work prevention sessions and a weekend cultural riding program supported and developed by community elders which include historical and cultural relevance of horses. Gatekeeper trainings are conducted monthly for interested community members and professionals so that they may more effectively respond to suicide ideation and attempts; and social marketing to raise community awareness through the design, development and implementation of various media forms such as powerpoint presentations, highway billboards, tri-folds, information sheets, newspaper articles, PSAs, etc.? TeenScreen screening and assessment is used in 11 approved school sites serving Gila River youth, as a tool to identify youth who are at risk and need further assessment and intervention.? Indian Nations Camp is a weeklong camp conducted once per year that brings together 100 youth from various tribes across Arizona and New Mexico to share information relevant to suicide, substance use, and culture. The target population includes youth, parents, professionals, and community members within the Gila River Indian Community in central AZ. All services will be provided within the context of the Gila River Indian Community?s beliefs and culture and with great respect for individual and family needs.