GTA

Lead: EDCD

Partnership: Henry Ford Health and GTA Foundation

Support: U.S National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Objectives: The overall objective of this project is to examine the feasibility of evidence-based suicide prevention approaches and develop implementation strategies for youth suicide prevention in Nepal. This project is led by EDCD in partnership with GTA Foundation and Henry Ford Health, with funding support from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). We employed a mixed-methods approach with multiple stakeholders from national and local government agencies, healthcare and behavioral health services, public education, and community-based family and youth organizations in Nepal to understand their perceptions regarding suicide risk, available resources, and the feasibility of integrating evidence-based suicide prevention approaches for youth in Nepal. Additionally, we have identified the barriers and facilitators to using these practices, including optimal settings, providers, format, and logistics. As part of this effort, we have conducted a survey with 100 stakeholders across all seven provinces and interviews with 20 purposively selected participants from Madhesh Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province. Data analysis for this phase is currently underway. Furthermore, we will develop and evaluate implementation strategies for prevention and intervention among youth at risk for suicide. To achieve this, we will conduct focus group discussions with eight groups comprising 48 participants from Madhesh Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province, using a stratified sampling approach. Intervention mapping and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) will be utilized to generate a menu of implementation strategies for youth suicide prevention in Nepal.

Expected Outcome: This line of research will also inform future adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of suicide prevention efforts in Nepal and across other LMICs.