View The Report.pdf

The Suicide, Overdose, Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Capacity Assessment Tool (SPACECAT) is an electronic survey that assists health agencies in assessing their capacity to address the intersection of suicide, overdose, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In 2021, five island area health agencies completed the SPACECAT, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The results showed strengths in infrastructure capacity, such as advanced staffing capacity for suicide and overdose, and partnerships in ACEs and suicide. However, there were also opportunities for growth, including lower capacity to address ACEs prevention, lack of funding, and challenges with collaboration, messaging, and stigma and health equity. Recommendations for addressing these challenges include identifying strengths and gaps, developing a prioritization matrix, and creating a strategic workplan. Specific next steps for increasing collaboration, finding funding sources, and addressing other challenges are also provided.