Alaska's suicide rate is more than twice the national average. And suicide rates are not evenly distributed among the state's citizens. Rates of suicide are even higher among Alaska Native males and young Alaskans. In collaboration with the Alaska Mental Health Trust, Knowles and the Alaska Federation of Natives are calling for the formation of a Suicide Prevention Council, to shoulder the responsibility for developing a suicide prevention action plan for Alaska. They also want to designate a Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordinator, who will provide a statewide focus for suicide prevention efforts.
Every suicide is a tragedy for families and communities.
We want our people to make positive choices with their lives, and we appreciate the Governor's strong support. Rural communities that want to get involved in suicide prevention have asked for the State's assistance. To respond to their requests, community-based suicide prevention funds will be used to support suicide prevention summits, conferences, healing workshops, and training that helps people learn what they can do to help prevent suicide. The funds will also bring Alaskans together to tackle the difficult but important challenge of suicide prevention. Galena's mental health clinic is currently located in an old trailer that is icy in the winter, subject to frozen pipes and suffers from structural weaknesses.