Hello from the Alaska Mental Health Board, the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council.

September is both National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month and provides us an opportunity to bring our collective attention to these dual behavioral health crises that impact the lives of all Alaskans. With some of the highest rates of suicide and overdose in the nation, the work of AMHB/ABADA is more vital than ever. As advocates for legislation and policy, we strive to elevate lived experiences and ensure public and provider voices are central to the planning and evaluation of state-funded behavioral health services.

Our role is to ensure that those affected by mental health and substance use disorders are heard and supported, and that the systems meant to serve them are responsive and effective. The challenges of addiction and suicide are deeply personal for many AMHB/ABADA members, and it is this personal connection that drives our mission to improve Alaska's behavioral health landscape. We believe that by bringing together our communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers, we can build a future where hope, healing, and recovery are within reach for everyone. Suicide and overdose are preventable, and recovery is possible.

In addition to these monthly observances, we also acknowledge 988 Day on September 8th and Overdose Awareness Day on September 21st. The launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 has provided a critical resource for Alaskans in crisis, ensuring help is only three digits away. On Overdose Awareness Day, we honor those we have lost to overdose and renew our commitment to ensuring access to effective treatment and recovery services across the state.

At AMHB/ABADA, amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, as well as providers and the public, is at the heart of our work. These voices help shape the planning and evaluation of Alaska’s state-funded behavioral health services. Many of our board members are in long-term recovery, and their personal journeys deeply inform our mission. Their experiences underscore the importance of advocating for policies and initiatives that promote recovery and strengthen suicide prevention efforts across the state.

As ABADA board member Philip Licht shares, "For me, it's that personal connection and the belief that recovery is possible. People do recover. People have an incredible value and worth. And we shouldn't just give up on them. We shouldn't just give up on this fight. We can come together, and we can actually make a difference. People do change, people do recover, and there is a value in us putting resources, whether that be our time, whether that be our funding, whether it be our policy. It's worth the time and energy that we put into it."

This belief in the possibility of recovery fuels our efforts to advocate for policies that strengthen Alaska’s behavioral health systems and support those in crisis.

As we honor recovery and suicide prevention efforts, it is also important to acknowledge and recognize the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day on October 14th and the recent International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9th. Alaska’s Indigenous communities hold deep cultural resilience, but they have also faced disproportionate impacts from behavioral health crises, including high rates of suicide and substance use. AMHB/ABADA remains committed to addressing these disparities and partnering with Indigenous leaders and communities to ensure culturally responsive and accessible care.

The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council’s recently released Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan: “Messages of Hope” (2023-2027) emphasizes a collective approach to suicide prevention across local, regional, and state governments. The plan lays out six key goals to address suicide prevention in Alaska:

1. Address upstream factors that impact suicide
2. Implement a broad-based public health response to suicide
3. Reduce access to lethal means
4. Enhance Alaska’s crisis continuum of care
5. Address special considerations for Alaskan youth, seniors, elders, veterans, and military families
6. Improve the quality of data and research for suicide prevention efforts

The SSPC’s plan challenges all of us to work individually and collectively to make a difference in reducing suicide across Alaska.

Suicide is a preventable public health crisis. While Alaskans are resilient, many experience higher suicide risks due to trauma and adverse experiences, especially those in rural or underserved areas. A coordinated effort focused on wellness promotion, crisis intervention, and postvention is essential. Alaska’s suicide mortality rate is alarmingly high—particularly among youth. Crisis services, including the 988 Lifeline and Alaska’s expanding mobile crisis response, play a crucial role in supporting those at risk.

As we recognize National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month, we urge all Alaskans to join us in spreading awareness, fostering connection, and supporting efforts to save lives. Together, we can reduce the devastating toll of suicide and overdose in our state. Recovery is possible, suicide is preventable, and by coming together as a community, we can make Alaska a healthier, more resilient place for all.

The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council (SSPC) plays a critical role in Alaska’s efforts to address the devastating impact of suicide across our state. SSPC works in partnership with the State of Alaska, local suicide prevention groups, survivors, and other stakeholders to advance suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts. The Council gathers community voices, especially those directly impacted by suicide, to ensure that the lived experiences of Alaskans inform both policy and action. The council’s work focuses on both upstream and primary prevention strategies, recognizing that a comprehensive, multifaceted approach is needed to address the many factors that contribute to suicide in Alaska.

SSPC advises the governor and legislature on suicide prevention strategies and policy changes and is responsible for developing and maintaining Alaska’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan. This plan serves as a comprehensive guide for addressing suicide at all levels—ranging from upstream, community-based prevention to crisis intervention and postvention support. The current plan, "Messages of Hope," outlines key goals, such as addressing the root causes of suicide, improving crisis services, and reducing access to lethal means.

By working with suicide prevention groups, survivors, and other stakeholders, SSPC ensures that Alaska’s response to suicide is collaborative, informed by those most affected, and driven by a commitment to reducing this tragedy through strong state leadership, long-term resources, and a focus on at-risk populations like youth and young adults.

Council Membership Updates:

• Monique Andrews, who fills the military seat on the council, was elected as Chairperson on June 20, 2024. Ms. Andrews has been a strong leader and advocate for suicide prevention in Alaska and has served on the SSPC since 2017. Ms. Andrews is also a dually appointed member of AMHB and ABADA, serving on the Boards since 2019.
• SSPC is also honored to welcome Dakoma Epperly-May to the SSPC. Ms. Epperly-May will be serving in the youth seat for the SSPC and will help to ensure youth voice is represented in the council’s work.

Dillingham October 28-30th, 2024

The next in-person meeting of the SSPC will be held on October 28-30, 2024 in Dillingham, AK. The agenda and meeting materials are available upon request by emailing eric.morrison@alaska.gov

Conferences:

AK Peer Support Conference 2024. Stronger Together: Unity in Peer Support

Date: October 22-23, 2024

Location: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK

Medication Assisted Treatment Conference 2024

Date: September 10-12, 2024

Location: Virtual

School Safety and Well-Being Summit

Date: September 25-26, 2024

Location: Egan Convention Center, Anchorage, AK

Improving Lives Conference

Date: September 17-18, 2024

Location: Dena’ina Convention Center, Anchorage, AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Association Member and Affiliates Conference

Date: September 25-26, 2024

Location: Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage, AK

Alaska Conference on Child Maltreatment

Date: September 24-27, 2024

Location: Marriot Downtown, Anchorage, AK