In 2020, suicide was ranked among the top five most significant health problems in Alachua County, Florida (CDC, 2023). A significant association exists between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and one’s risk of suicide; individuals with an ACE score of four or more are 30 times more likely to attempt suicide than individuals with an ACE score of zero (CDC, 2022b).
My proposed program utilizes a trauma-informed approach to increase awareness of mental health resources and build capacity to engage in adaptive coping strategies when confronted with mental health challenges. The program targets individuals between the ages of 18 and 64 who live in Alachua County and have an ACE score of at least one. The program is four weeks long and is comprised of two weekly workshops. The first workshop each week is a peer support group during which program participants may relate through shared experiences and foster a supportive community for the duration of the program. The second workshop each week focuses on raising awareness about mental health resources and building capacity to engage in healthy coping strategies. Participants work to identify protective factors and get connected with appropriate resources, identify and label emotions, develop goals for growth and self-care, and practice mindfulness techniques. At the end of the program, participants will have the skills and knowledge to engage in appropriate behaviors when mental health challenges arise.
The program targets the primary and secondary levels of prevention, focusing on disease prevention or injury prior to its onset and reducing the impact of disease or injury after its onset (Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia et al., n.d.). In this case, the program aims to increase awareness of mental health resources and build capacity to cope with mental health challenges prior to a potential suicide attempt and after for those who have previously attempted.
The program was further developed using the Center for Disease Control’s Social Ecological Model and targets factors at the individual and relationship levels (CDC, 2022a). At the individual level, program activities work to raise awareness about mental health resources and build capacity to cope with mental health issues (CDC, 2022a). At the relationship level, the program establishes a supportive community environment through peer support groups and fosters the development of meaningful connection (CDC, 2022a).
Multiple trauma-informed principles were considered as the program was developed (SAMHSA, 2014). These principles ensure that the program adequately addresses program participants’ unique needs related to ACEs and trauma (SAMHSA, 2014). The program includes elements related to the principles of peer support and mutual self-help; safety; empowerment, voice, and choice; and cultural, historical, and gender issues (SAMHSA, 2014). First, peer support groups function as a way for participants to share lived experience with ACEs in a supportive and safe environment. The trauma-informed principle of safety is essential to the program, thus, fostering a safe physical and emotional space is of utmost importance. All activities will be held in private rooms and participants will be encourage to only share information that they feel comfortable sharing. Program staff will also receive mandatory training on trauma-informed care to ensure that the principle of empowerment, voice, and choice will be adequately addressed. Finally, cultural, historical, and gender issues were addressed through the selection of qualified, culturally-competent staff who have experience working with individuals with ACEs; staff will also complete a diversity and equity training prior the start of the program.
References
CDC. (2022a, January 18). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
CDC. (2022b, June 2). Priority Areas. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/priority/index.html
CDC. (2023, January 12). Facts About Suicide. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, & United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. (n.d.). Trauma-Informed Philanthropy: A Funder’s Resource Guide for Supporting Trauma-Informed Practice in the Delaware Valley.
SAMHSA. (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites.../priv/sma14-4884.pdf
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