Exciting news—PC CARES has been named a “Suicide Prevention Best Practice” by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)! The SPRC is a trusted library of suicide prevention resources and programs that have shown to be effective and are advancing health equity in the field. This recognition encompasses both the PC CARES Learning Circle curriculum and the Training of Facilitators (ToF) model. Our inclusion on the SPRC’s Best Practice Registry affirms the critical importance, value, and impact of centering community empowerment and engagement in suicide prevention.
Since its pilot in 2015, PC CARES has engaged over 500 trusted adults in community conversations to reduce suicide risk and build capacity for wellness throughout Northwest Alaska, the Bering Strait and Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Participants represent a variety of social roles—such as parents, teachers, providers, counselors, and community health workers—and have shown increases in their suicide prevention knowledge, preventative actions taken, and collaboration with others to promote youth wellness and suicide prevention. Our research has shown that PC CARES participants spread what they learn with the people close to them, causing learning to “diffuse” to community members who’ve never attended PC CARES.
PC CARES is built on the principle that community members are best able to drive positive and sustainable change in their own communities: it takes a village—and all the organizations in it—to prevent suicide. PC CARES learning circles foster a supportive co-learning environment where participants can openly discuss mental health, learn about proven prevention strategies, and strengthen their capacity to support each other. Our program’s inclusion on the Best Practice Registry underscores that these efforts are essential and powerful.
Many contributed time, thinking, and dedicated work to making PC CARES a success—from the facilitators who bring learning circles to life, to the community members who participate in these conversations. Their support and engagement are the foundation of this milestone achievement. We look forward to continuing our work with renewed inspiration, knowing that PC CARES is not only valued but recognized as a best practice in our shared fight against suicide.
If you’re interested in learning more about PC CARES or how you can get involved, visit our page on the SPRC’s Best Practice Registry here. Let’s keep these important conversations going—together, we can make a difference.