Hope Kit Program

Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults, with a disproportionate burden of those deaths in rural areas such as Kansas. High rates of depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal attempts, combined with a shortage of mental health providers, emphasize the need for community-based intervention. This capstone is designed to develop a plan for Hope Kits, a proposed suicide prevention program, among youth in grades 7-12 in Sheridan County, Kansas to improve coping skills, promote help-seeking behavior, and reduce suicide risks. A logic model guides the program development, which aligns with available literature and Social Cognitive Theory with evaluation by the RE-AIM framework. The program is expected to increase awareness of crisis resources, increase self-efficacy, positive coping skills, and help-seeking behavior in non-clinical settings. Results are obtained from participants, providers, and local data sources to determine the program’s effectiveness. Hope Kits represent an adaptable, low-cost community suicide prevention strategy that could be a model for other communities facing mental health challenges.