| Description |
Completed suicides, suicide attempts, self-harm behavior and violence towards others are significant indicators for the need for preventive services for Utah youth and their families. In addition rural youth and their families struggle with healthcare disparities, which leads to fewer services available to meet the needs of adolescents with acute or chronic mental illness. An online warmline will increase non-crisis interaction with adolescents, and families who may not presently be engaged in treatment but who are attempting to resolve conflict without resorting to negative problem solving or coping strategies. Problem Statement Less than 1% of youth who completed suicide were receiving mental health interventions at the time of their death (Utah Department of Health, 2013). More teens die every year from suicide than the combined adolescent fatalities from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease (Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). In the US suicide among 10-14 year olds is the fourth leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death among youth age 15-24 (Amitia & Apter, 2012). According to UtahLifeExpectancy, 2011, Sanpete County's death rate from suicide is 30.63. Objectives The purpose of this project is to develop a plan to implement a "warmline" specifically for adolescents and their families in Sanpete County, Utah. Anonymity and online interfacing will increase non-crisis interaction with adolescents, and others who would not otherwise seek support (Boyce, 2010). The responsibility of the provider responding to the warmline is to maintain confidentiality, locate resources, and make appropriate referrals (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2010). Implementation and Evaluation I have gathered information from a literature review in order to support my project. I have developed a budget and a potential source of funding. I am working with stakeholders and content experts on appropriate policies for recruitment, training, supervision, retention and replacement of volunteers. I have developed a Website and a power point presentation. I have started to meet with stakeholders one on one to reinforce objectives for this project in order to gain support. |
