In Fall 2019, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) developed the USVI Suicide Prevention Program under the leadership of Commissioner Justa Encarnacion and in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). Irving Julien was hired to serve in the role of Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator. Once fully developed, the program included two in-person gatekeeper trainings in November 2019, outreach activities throughout the winter and spring, and two virtual Suicide Prevention “Train the Trainer” sessions in June 2020.   

VIDOH was pleased to have Sharifa J. Charles, a Native Virgin Islander, and Professional Development Specialist currently with the Center for School Behavioral Health, Mental Health America of Greater Houston as the trainer for the four training sessions. Initially, the Train the Trainer sessions were planned to take place in person. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the curriculum was adapted to a virtual format. This was the first time that a training of this magnitude was conducted virtually in the territory. A total of 85 individuals were trained with each training session lasting four hours. Attendees participated in pre- and post-training test assessments and received certification of completion after the training. Ninety-seven percent of participants responding to the post-test agreed or strongly agreed that the training content would help them be more effective in their jobs. 

Attendees participate in a gatekeeper training in St. Thomas, November 2019 

The diagram in this slide illustrates the phases of community response and outcomes to disaster events, such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 

The territory will continue outreach efforts focused on promoting mental health and decreasing the number of suicide attempts and deaths. The most recent of these efforts is the launch of a radio commercial targeting young adults who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.