Governor highlights “Mental Health and Well Being” in Fono address

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Among the challenges that the Lemanu & Talauega Administration confronted in the first six-months of the new administration is the “suicide epidemic,” Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga said during his special address yesterday morning to a joint session of the Fono for the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 37th Legislature.

The governor’s address was delivered entirely in Samoan and mentioned his and others’ concern with the spike in suicide cases in 2020 as the administration moved to address this serious issues and to protect lives from being lost.

The Administration’s 2021 “Mid-Year Performance Report” distributed to lawmakers yesterday covers many issues including “Mental Health and Well Being” in the territory, saying that in the year 2020, “American Samoa recorded the highest suicide rate in the past six years, with nine suicides and six attempted suicide cases.”

Data collected from the Health Department and included in the report shows that there were two suicide cases in February as well as two in September last year, one each for May and September and three in August. Of the suicide cases, seven were male and two were female. The data also identified villages of each victim.

For attempted suicide cases, three were males and three were females. Four attempted suicide cases were recorded by DoH in September and one each for March and June. The data also identified villages of each attempted suicide case.

In response to the suicide epidemic, the report says that the Governor’s Office, DoH, LBJ Medical Center, Human and Social Services, Public Safety Department, local Homeland Security Department and Legal Affairs “focused on data collection, strategy and recommendations.”

“The Administration is committed to addressing the issues in providing the Territory with the resources needed to assist victims and families affected by mental and health and substance use disorder,” it says. “We recognize the work of the Suicide Prevention Task Force made up of government, non-government organizations, faith-based groups, and media partners.”

It further states that: “In a recent report, the Task Force had stated that the current state of Suicide response operations was fragmented and that information and data were not being shared in timely reports. They also recognized that due to limited human capacity, equipment, facilities, and funding, American Samoa would not respond effective or efficiently.”

Since the start of the year, the Lemanu & Talauega Administration has assisted the Task Force in:

•           establishing a 24/7 suicide prevention and health issues helpline (9-8-8), operated by DoH and DHSS

•           establishing a 24/7 Community Suicide Response Team

•           suicide prevention talks to public and private school teachers

•           establishing a multi-sector Territorial Suicide Prevention Task Force

•           daily “High Priority” Suicide Prevention messages

•           faith-based community youth church services across the territory.

BACKGROUND

In January of this year, the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) announced it had received the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 9-8-8 State Planning Grant through Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline).

Through the grant, the DHSS, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), along with other agencies and non-profit organizations, are to participate in the development of strategic plans for American Samoa in preparation for the projected infrastructure needs, volume growth, and access to the Lifeline’s new 9-8-8 number. Vibrant has awarded grants to 49 states and territories.

At the time, Acting Director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala stated in a press release, “…Suicide prevention awareness must be a community initiative to effectively reach those who find themselves struggling.”

He added, “Equally important is that the resources this grant provides will help fortify the systems that will be available for 9-8-8 callers who want long- term support through counseling and other services our Departments provide.”

In closing, the DHSS Acting Director emphasized that “true partnership is critical if we are to create a comprehensive, coordinated, and collaborative strategic plan for preventing suicide in American Samoa.”