Since 2000, rates of suicide and substance overdose mortality have steadily increased in the United States. A prevailing theory within public health is that substance use disorder and suicide are both “deaths of despair” and a way to cope with socioeconomic infrastructure challenges, such as poverty, lack of social connection, housing instability, and discrimination—issues which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a method of preventing suicide and substance use disorder, states turn to addressing upstream factors like creating healthy communities where individuals feel they matter. In this podcast episode, Sheila Nelson, a program manager for adolescent health and injury prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Kini-Ana Tinkham, the executive director of the Maine Resilience Building Network, discuss how they are working in their communities to set youth up to thrive. Using behavioral health data from the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS), they are collaborating on a Cultivating Mattering for Maine Youth Initiative where they build resilience, incorporate youth voices, and support communities in their suicide and substance use prevention efforts.

Guests:

• Sheila Nelson, Program Manager, Adolescent Health and Injury Prevention, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Kini-Ana Tinkham, Executive Director, Maine Resilience Building Network

Resources:

• Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey
• Maine Resilience Building Network