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Empowering ordinary community members to spearhead suicide prevention initiatives—by fostering well-being, fortifying relationships, and executing customized strategies—can markedly lessen the peril among youth.

Rather than depending solely on crisis-oriented mental health services, a novel study from the University of Michigan presents a hopeful alternative by illustrating how community-inspired methods, skills development, and local partnerships have addressed Alaska Native youth’s suicide rates—approaches that could be replicated globally, especially in areas with scarce mental health resources.

“The pivotal inquiry is, ‘How might we cultivate communities of practice that can creatively respond to emerging challenges?’ That is such a pivotal concept,” stated Lisa Wexler, a professor of social work at U-M and a research professor at the Institute for Social Research.

“If we’re truly dedicated to equipping individuals to mitigate suicide risk in regular settings, we require pastors, coaches, educators, and families—we need all individuals already involved in young people’s lives to participate. I am unaware of any other intervention that not only prioritizes prevention but also purposefully constructs a community of practice—where participants can learn from each other as obstacles emerge.”

Executed across five isolated communities in Alaska, the research, published in BMC Public Health, engaged nearly 400 participants and uncovered that both professionals, such as educators and counselors, along with family members, peers, and local cultural figures, fulfill distinct and vital roles in safeguarding and assisting young individuals.

“In closely-knit Alaska Native communities, we can learn from the strength of interconnectedness,” Wexler commented. “And can easily recognize the innovations fostered by communities of practice that collaborate to diminish suicide risk and promote mental wellness in varying and locally specific methods.”

The results challenge the traditional emphasis on clinical solutions by demonstrating that suicide prevention can commence well before an individual faces a crisis. It identifies three essential factors that affect whether people engage in suicide prevention efforts: belief in one’s ability to promote well-being, confidence in one’s capability to avert suicide, and involvement in a “community of practice”—a collective of individuals learning and collaborating together.

These elements can forecast whether someone participates in prevention activities such as collaborating on community projects, providing personal assistance to someone in distress, limiting access to lethal means, or supporting others following a suicide.

Surveys indicate that 20%-30% of high school students contemplate suicide at any moment—a developmentally common phenomenon often met with generic crisis responses in educational settings. These inflexible protocols can deter individuals from seeking help, while many mental health practitioners receive minimal or no training in suicide prevention.

“This research broadens the focus and methodology of suicide prevention, which is essential,” Wexler remarked. “Young people, marginalized populations, and rural communities are experiencing growing suicide risks, yet many lack access to mental health services—the usual response to crises. All too often, assistance is only available after the risk has intensified, leaving scant opportunities for early preventive measures.”

Investigators discovered distinct trends in how various roles contribute to prevention. Previous studies show that each member of the youth support network plays a unique but interrelated role.

“If provided the opportunity to learn alongside one another and strengthen relationships, individuals will collaborate in innovative and locally relevant ways to prevent suicide,” Wexler explained. “Thus, instead of merely waiting for someone to exhibit indicators of suicide risk, there are numerous actions that can be taken to enhance safety, reduce risk, and promote mental wellness—especially for young individuals worldwide.”

Community-driven initiative seeks to avert suicide

The research team was astonished by the rapid and inventive responses from communities when granted the opportunity to learn collectively and foster stronger ties. Instead of relying solely on experts, individuals from all aspects of village life stepped forward to assume responsibility for prevention initiatives that reflect their values and experiences.

This model, Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide—termed PC CARES—utilizes accessible research summaries and guided dialogues to assist local communities in discovering practical methods to enhance mental wellness and reduce suicide risk.

Although tailored for northwestern Alaska, PC CARES provides a versatile framework that communities can modify. Its five Learning Circles employ accessible research and guided dialogue to ignite locally driven, evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention, making it a viable approach for diverse contexts.

“Our methodology has recently been included in the Suicide Prevention Best Practices Registry,” Wexler indicated. “We are branching out to additional topics, such as substance misuse, and other areas, including U-M campuses, urban locales, and Michigan’s Indigenous communities. We are also monitoring the impact of our approach on youth—especially how they are experiencing outreach and support from adults in remote Alaska through a recent NIMH grant.”

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