In a continued commitment to addressing suicide and raising awareness for mental health in Alaska, GCI through its philanthropy arm, GCI Gives and in partnership with the Alaska Community Foundation, has awarded $100,000 in grants this year to local organizations actively working in this critical area. This year, 13 organizations will receive a grant from the fund.
The projects selected to receive a 2024 grant represent a variety of solutions that utilize cultural traditions, media, trainings, youth activities and more to uplift communities across the state.
“This critical work provides communities with vital suicide prevention resources and it’s our honor to help them with funding,” said GCI Gives Contributions and Events Senior Manager Tiffany Vassar. “By supporting projects statewide, we aim to help ensure that people in even the most remote Alaska communities, where mental health programs aren’t as accessible, have access to the programs they need.”
The 2024 recipients are:
- Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, Txin Kaangux Team Wellness and Resilience: A project to develop a comprehensive wellness program for employees that work with suicide, substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence cases to enhance resilience, mitigate burnout and foster a supportive environment.
- Annette Island School District, The Watchmen: A project to train individuals in Metlakatla in Youth Mental Health First Aid to better support those at risk with resources and messages of hope.
- Big River Public Broadcasting, Big River Futures “Life is Your Big River. Let’s Go!”: A PSA project through KIYU to broadcast three PSAs daily in English and Athabascan that include positive, inclusive messaging to spread awareness and uplift the community.
- Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Sources of Strength: A program to teach early prevention initiatives, evidence-based intervention practices and post-vention strategies to reduce suicide rates and promote mental wellness among students.
- Gold Star Peak, Inc., Gold Star Peak: A project to connect active-duty service members, veterans and their families with nature through outdoor excursions, gentle yoga and self-care while also recognizing fallen service members.
- Kawerak, Inc., Bering Strait Suicide Prevention Project: A project to work with rural communities to prevent substance abuse and suicide by providing healthy activities and an annual camp for youth.
- Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Building Student Strengths: A project to increase peer leaders’ skills and resources so they can leverage their influence and social networks to promote positive cultural change, reduce stigma, and ensure their peers have access to support when struggling with mental health issues.
- Kuspuk School District, Kuspuk Empowers: The project aims to enhance student support, trauma-informed practices, and community connections within the Kuspuk School District, incorporating telehealth services, a districtwide check-in/check-out program, and wellness professional development days.
- Maniilaq Association, Hollywood Streetball Tour: The project continues Maniilaq’s efforts to reinvigorate village-based Wellness Teams that undertake initiatives to increase protective factors or positive childhood experiences.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau: A project to offer three-day suicide prevention training to community members and host group conversations for how to support the community in suicide prevention resources.
- Native Village Napaimute, 2025 Jacob Wise Memorial Spirit Camp: An annual culture camp for youth to participate in traditional cultural activities and activities that promote health and wellness.
- Norton Sound Health Corporation, NSHC Native Connections: A project focusing on offering suicide prevention education, cultural activities and evidence-based trainings to youth ages 12-24 in Nome and surrounding villages, facilitated by cultural instructors and involving Elders and culture bearers.
- STAR, Training for Crisis Line and Continued Support: A project to train staff and crisis line volunteers on QPR suicide intervention and prevention, Mental Health First Aid and additional specified trainings to better support those struggling with mental health.
Celebrating Pride: GCI’s Commitment to Inclusivity and Support
The 2023 recipients made great strides and lasting impacts for their local programs with their grant funding. From implementing prevention trainings across the state to hosting in-person programming to decrease isolation, these projects are actively helping Alaskans.
“With funding in 2023, we were able to host programs that encouraged positive interactions between elders and youth, facilitating the transfer of cultural knowledge and traditions. As a result, young community members have developed traditional methods for healing and coping and have identified trustworthy and supportive individuals within their community, creating a reliable support network,” said Railbelt Mental Health and Addictions Youth Group Coordinator Brittany Rush.
Each year since 2016, the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund has provided $100,000 to support initiatives and organizations dedicated to preventing suicide and offering support to those affected by it. Past recipients have made significant advancements in suicide prevention and mental health awareness, deeply affecting individuals and communities statewide. Their initiatives, including evidence-based prevention trainings, community building events, and youth-focused activities, have bolstered resilience, provided vital resources, and contributed to breaking down the stigma associated with mental health.