Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide (PC CARES) is a community health intervention designed, supported, and implemented by the remote communities of Northwest Alaska. PC CARES builds communities of practice among local and regional service providers, community members, friends, and families to spark multilevel and sustained efforts for suicide prevention. In this model, learning circles supported by local facilitators foster personal and collective learning about suicide prevention in order to spur practical action on multiple levels to prevent suicide and promote health.
Last reviewed: 2024
Intended Outcomes:
By sparking regular community conversations, PC CARES builds partnerships among community members and providers in order to effectively prevent suicide and promote wellness.
Continuum of Care:
Selective Prevention, Universal Prevention
Topic Areas:
Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Suicide
Ages:
Adult (25+), Teen/Adolescent (13-18), Young Adult (19-24)
Geographic Locations:
Rural
Delivery Settings:
Community-Based, Virtual
Cultural Considerations:
Significant and well-articulated attention was given to disparities in outcomes
Audience:
Alaskan Native Youth and Young Adults ages 15-29.
Credentials:
Training is intended for intended for adult community members who are in key positions to identify and engage with vulnerable youth (i.e., social workers, village-based counselors, health aides, and other health services workers, teachers, school staff).
Manuals:
Yes
Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info
Who can provide the required training?
Please see the following site for more information on training: https://www.pc-cares.org/training
Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website
Program/Practice Website:
https://www.pc-cares.org
Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:
Wexler, L., Rataj, S., Ivanich, J., Plavin, J., Mullany, A., Moto, R., Kirk, T., Goldwater, E., Johnson, R., Dombroski, K. (2019). Community mobilization for rural suicide prevention: Process, learning and behavioral outcomes from Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide (PC CARES) in Northwest Alaska. Social Science & Medicine, 232, 398-407.
Markowski, K. L., White, L., Harcey, S. R., Schmidt, T., McEachern, D., Habecker, P., & Wexler, L. (2022). What Kinds of Support are Alaska Native Youth and Young Adults Reporting? An Examination of Types, Quantities, Sources, and Frequencies of Support. Health Promotion Practice, 15248399221115065. Advance online publication.
Wells, C. White, L., Schmidt, T., Rataj, S., McEachern, D., Wisnieski, D., Garnie, J., Kirk, T., Moto, R. & Wexler, L. (2022). Adapting PC CARES to continue suicide prevention in rural Alaska during the COVID-19 pandemic: Narrative Overview of an in-person community-based suicide prevention program moving online. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research Journal, 29, 2. DOI: 10.5820/aian.2902.2022.126
WV Rating:
Unable to Be Rated
»WV Ratings Info
Rationale for Rating:
Most research available is focused on feasibility of implementing the program. There is a need for further research on program outcomes.
Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified.
Other Registries/Ratings
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Not On Registry
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry