The Effectiveness of Youth-Centered Suicide Prevention Programs: The Case of a Longstanding Peer-Led Program in Alaska

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, posing a serious public health problem. The statistic is even more dire for youth between the ages of 10 and 20, for whom suicide represents the second leading cause of death. These trends have led to suicide prevention program implementation in high schools nationwide. Although it can be challenging to directly measure the effects of such programs on suicide rates, research shows that they can help reduce stigma and increase awareness. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the limited body of research examining the effectiveness of prevention programs. This will be accomplished by assessing a peer-led suicide prevention program in a state with one of the highest suicide rates: Alaska. Pre-and post-surveys will be administered to determine to what extent high school students’ beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about suicide change as a result of participation