GLS State/Tribal Evaluation of the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program Reinstatement: Evaluation of the Impact of the GLS Suicide Prevention Program on Suicide Morbidity and Mortality in At-Risk Youths

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking clearance for the reinstatement of data collection for the evaluation of the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program. The evaluation aims to gather detailed outcome and impact data to understand the effectiveness of the program.

The GLS State/Tribal Evaluation builds on prior evaluation findings and aims to provide SAMHSA with the data and information needed to improve the program. The evaluation will focus on three areas: implementation, outcomes, and impacts. A behavioral health equity and cultural equity lens will be applied to ensure a culturally specific understanding of intervention implementation and outcomes.

The Implementation Evaluation will inventory the strategies and services implemented by grantees and assess the degree of fidelity to their work plan. The Outcome Evaluation will include three studies related to trainings, youths’ experience of services, and continuity of care for at-risk youths. The Impact Evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the GLS program on decreasing suicide morbidity and mortality.

The GLS Evaluation will involve nine data collection activities, including the revision of four existing instruments and the creation of five new instruments. The revised instruments will gather information on emerging technologies, implementation of evidence-based practices, cultural adaptations, and program sustainability.

The evaluation will not include data collection with campus grantees, so all campus-specific instruments will be removed. Additionally, seven previously approved instruments will be revised or removed from the evaluation due to SAMHSA’s research priorities and fulfillment of previous data collection requirements.

Overall, the GLS State/Tribal Evaluation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implementation, outcomes, and impacts of the GLS Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program. By collecting and analyzing data, SAMHSA hopes to improve the program’s effectiveness in preventing youth suicide.