Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) Technical Assistance
Formerly Methamphetamine & Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI)

The History of MSPI

In September 2009, the Indian Health Service (IHS) began the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) as a national pilot demonstration project focused on addressing two of the most pressing public health concerns in American Indian and Alaska Native communities -- methamphetamine use and suicide. The six year project was a success, prompting IHS to fund a new cycle for MSPI in September 2015.

IHS set the following goals for grantees:

• Increase Tribal, UIHP, and Federal capacity to operate successful methamphetamine prevention, treatment, and aftercare and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services through implementing community and organizational needs assessment and strategic plans.
• Develop and foster data sharing systems among Tribal, UIHP, and Federal behavioral health service providers to demonstrate efficacy and impact.
• Identify and address methamphetamine use among AI/AN populations through the development and implementation of culturally appropriate and community relevant prevention, treatment, and aftercare strategies.
• Increase provider and community education on suicide and methamphetamine use by offering appropriate trainings.
• Promote positive AI/AN youth development and family engagement through the implementation of early intervention strategies to reduce risk factors for suicidal behavior and substance abuse.

Four purpose areas have been established to help meet these goals:

• Purpose Area 1: Community and Organizational Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning
• Purpose Area 2: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention
• Purpose Area 3: Methamphetamine Prevention, Treatment, and Aftercare
• Purpose Area 4: Generation Indigenous Initiative Support

Resources