training outcomes
Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide (PC CARES) offered its community prevention-focused intervention virtually in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. The intervention featured 7 Learning Circles, which are designed to share recent, locally-relevant research with participants from across Northwestern Alaska. By sharing what the research shows us about effective suicide prevention and youth wellness, Learning Circles spark discussions, and give participants time and space to plan creatively as they work to prevent youth suicide in evidence-informed ways.
2019-2021 learning circles
Between December 11, 2019 and March 9, 2020, there were 11 learning circles hosted in 6 communities
A total of 84 people attended one or more of the in- person learning circles
During the 2020-21 school year, learning circles were offered virtually, with an average of 70 participants attending (range: 63-83) from two school districts comprised of 19 villages
2021-2022 school year
On average, 45 people attended virtual learning circles during the 2021-22 school year
Participants rated their satisfaction with all learning circles highly, felt the information was understandable, trustworthy, and useful to their daily life and jobs.
““I was expecting for someone to be doing this that didn’t understand the village life and was throwing this stuff at us, like a lot of classes. I was really grateful to see that it helped us teachers really be able to find a plan and focus on a plan for not only the school but the community as well.””
Outcomes 2020-21:
In voluntary surveys sent following each learning circle they attended, a majority of participants reported taking action to support youth wellness and prevent suicide. For example:
72% said they spoke up about what the school can to to reduce the risk of youth suicide.
87% said their relationships with people in this session are better because of the discussions at PC CARES
90% said they have more ways to promote wellness after the PC CARES session
Looking at 4 questions about the relevance of information at PC CARES, (e.g., “I can imagine myself actually using what I learned today,”) there was a statistically significant difference between learning circle 1 scores and learning circle 5 scores (p <.05)
Participants reporting “I encouraged someone in my school to have a response plan for what to do if there is a suicide death” increased from 33% after the first learning circle to 68% after the fifth
225 people from Bering Strait School District, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Kawerak Inc., and Maniilaq Association responded to a survey in October 2020 and May 2021. When comparing the results, actions to promote wellness and help prevent suicide increase across all 19 questions. For example:
“I talked about how we can help prevent further harm after a suicide happens” increased from 9% to 22%
“I quietly listened to a youth (child or teen) who had a problem, reflecting back to them what I heard” increased from 58 to 76%
Survey results also showed an increase in collaboration or coordination with others to create healthy environments for youth.
“I worked with others to increase wellness in the school community” increased from 48% to 56%
“I worked with others to prevent suicide” increased from 19% to 33%
Education Credits
To help participants make the most of their time, PC CARES offers multiple options for earning Continuing Education Credits by attending PC CARES virtually and in-person.
PC CARES provided:
58 social work contact hours to learning circle attendees
1 hour continuing education to all 32 Norton Sound Health Corporation Behavioral Health Services (BHS) staff in February 2020
33 Dept of Education Suicide prevention training certificates to teachers/school staff who attended 4 or more learning circles
40 PC CARES participants received free Master’s credits ($800+ value per person)
30 hours of training certified through the Community Health Aide Program board
7 hours of all-staff training provided to 2 school districts during inservice days