Hawai‘i’s Caring Communities Initiative: Mobilizing Rural and Ethnic Minority Communities for Youth Suicide Prevention

Authors

Jane J. Chung-Do, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Deborah A. Goebert, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Kris Bifulco, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Tasha Tydingco, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Antonia Alvarez, Mental Health of America-Hawai'iFollow
Davis Rehuher, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Jeanelle Sugimoto-Matsuda, University of Hawaii at ManoaFollow
Bridget Arume, Life's BridgesFollow
Pohai Wilcox, BRAVEHEART Hawai'iFollow

Keywords

Injury Prevention; Child/Adolescent Health; University-Community Partnerships; Primary Prevention

Disciplines

Community Health | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Public Health

Abstract

Youth suicide is a serious, yet preventable, public health concern for ethnic minorities and rural communities. This paper describes the youth leadership model utilized by Hawai‘i’s Caring Communities Initiative (HCCI) and provides reflections on the important factors for success in implementing a youth and community advocacy project for youth suicide prevention. HCCI partnered with six youth and community organizations who serve ethnic minority and rural communities across the State of Hawai‘i to train youth leaders and community members in suicide prevention, in order to develop community awareness activities that are grounded in each community’s strengths and needs. The work of a youth leadership group on the island of Kaua‘i is provided as an example to demonstrate the positive rippling effects that health promotion activities can have when they are youth-driven. Important factors to consider for similar interventions that aim to engage youth to address health disparities include prioritizing relationships among all partners, building the capacity of community partners, and providing meaningful leadership opportunities for youth to serve as role models in their communities.

Recommended Citation

Chung-Do, Jane J.; Goebert, Deborah A.; Bifulco, Kris; Tydingco, Tasha; Alvarez, Antonia; Rehuher, Davis; Sugimoto-Matsuda, Jeanelle; Arume, Bridget; and Wilcox, Pohai (2014) "Hawai‘i’s Caring Communities Initiative: Mobilizing Rural and Ethnic Minority Communities for Youth Suicide Prevention," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 8: Iss. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol8/iss4/8