Theses Master's

Undergoing Mindful Action to Transform Environments & Relationships (UMATTER): A School-Based Health Education & Health Promotion Program to Reduce LGBTQ+ Youth Suicidality in Idaho’s West Ada School District

Perrien Naccarato, Carmelita

The high prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide death among youth in Idaho presents an urgent public health problem. In 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for Idahoans ages 15-24 (World Life Expectancy, 2021). Of particular concern are the disproportionate health outcomes experienced by LGBTQ+ youth. In the U.S., LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than their peers, and one LGBTQ+ person between the ages of 13 and 24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds (The Trevor Project, 2021b; The Williams Institute, 2020). Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model, the Undergoing Mindful Action to Transform Environments & Relationships (UMATTER) program has been developed to combat this problem. UMATTER aims to prevent suicidal ideation and suicide deaths in LGBTQ+ sixth to eighth grade students in the West Ada School District and will do so via health education and health communication. Through early intervention, UMATTER will build a foundation for preventative mental health care that will not only reduce suicidality but allow the children of the Treasure Valley to experience a lifetime of good health.

Keywords: LGBT; LGBTQ; LGBTI; SOGI; SOGIESC; sexual orientation; gender identity; queer; mental health; suicidality; youth; middle school; school-based program; suicide prevention; suicidal ideation; social emotional learning; SEL; Idaho; Boise; Treasure Valley; rural.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Sociomedical Sciences
Thesis Advisors
Sikkema, Kathleen J.
Degree
M.P.H., Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Published Here
April 3, 2023