Suicide is a leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, especially among 10- to 24-year-olds. Much of this can be attributed to the massive social disruption caused by colonization, genocide, and attempts to erase AI/AN culture through forced assimilation. Research has established that connectedness to one’s environment, family, and culture is a strong protective factor that can promote well-being and prevent suicide within AI/AN communities.
Caring Contacts is an evidence-based intervention that aims to foster an ongoing sense of care from an invested individual via brief, non-demanding messages. This intervention has been shown to reduce suicide, suicide attempts, and suicide ideation, is cost-effective, and is recommended by multiple clinical practice guidelines.
The CARE study was a blinded, 2-arm randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of culturally adapted Caring Contacts combined with optimal available resources (intervention) compared to optimal available resources alone (control) in reducing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide-related hospitalizations.
During this presentation, Dr. Comtois reviews culturally adapted suicide care interventions for AI/AN communities and the evidence base for caring contacts. Then she explores how the Caring Contacts intervention was adapted for AI/AN communities in the CARE Study. Lastly, Dr. Comtois reviews results from the CARE study and discuss future directions for this work.