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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Behavioral Health

Reports

IHS Behavioral Health Analytics performs national, regional, and local evaluations and analyses to support Tribes, IHS, and other interests in their planning and decisions, as they may affect the psychological health development and risk mitigation among American Indian and Alaska Native people and their communities. These reports represent significant cooperation among Tribal partners, policy makers, IHS leaders, universities, and American Indian and Alaska Native researchers. None of these reports establish laws or policies, rather they examine major strategies to make useful observations, define notable trends, and make recommendations for policies, programs, and protocols.

Program Evaluations

Advanced Risk Mitigation

Suicide Risk Strategies Report cover

Suicide Risk Strategies Report [PDF 1.5 MB]

This report reviews the progress of three recent suicide prevention strategies: The Zero Suicide Initiative in Tribal and federal facilities; enhanced training of Emergency Department staff on use of the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) tool; and use of the first Emergency Department Suicide Screening Dashboard. The evaluation shows the strengths and weaknesses that influence active protocols and future programs.

Youth Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity

YRTC Aftercare Report cover

Potential Gaps in the Substance Use Disorder Continuums of Services [PDF 1.8 MB]

After a completed contracted field study, DBH examined existing policies and programs that may affect IHS's capacity to provide or facilitate continuums of services to American Indian and Alaska Native youth suffering from substance use disorders. This report and infographic review the study and focus on potential gaps in policies and programs, and makes recommendations for follow-on actions.

INFOGRAPHIC: Innovative Approaches: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Youth Addressing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) [PDF 1.1 MB]

YRTC Aftercare Report cover

YRTC Aftercare Evaluation Report [PDF 3.7 MB]

To examine the future capacity of Youth Regional Treatment Centers, DBH examined two post-inpatient aftercare pilot projects to determine their capacity and requirements for services among American Indian and Alaska Native youth. The report highlights the need for digital innovations that are accessible during and after inpatient treatment.

Tribal Risk Prevention and Service Capacity Development, 2021 Cohort

Prevention and Service Capacity Development Report cover

Tribal Risk Prevention and Service Capacity Development, 2021 Cohort Year One [PDF 1.2 MB]

This first annual evaluation of 113 projects by 83 Tribal partners illustrates their progress in building operational capacities, refining service protocols, and serving clients to mitigate risks associated with substance use disorders, domestic violence, and suicides.

Tribal Risk Prevention and Service Capacity Development, 2015 Cohort

DVP National Report cover

Tribal partners provided annual project-level data reports on Domestic Violence Prevention, and these national data reports summarize their projects.

SASP National Report cover

Tribal partners provided annual project-level data reports on Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (formerly MSPI), and these national data reports summarize their projects.

Analyses

Specialized Analyses

Report

Tribal Customer Experience Pilot for Post-Award Reporting [PDF - 3.2 MB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – IHS Behavioral Health Initiatives is covered as an example of HHS Reduced Reporting Requirements (pages 26-27)

Journal Articles

Adult Caretaker Engagement and School Connectedness and Association with Substance Use, Indicators of Emotional Well-Being and Suicide Risk, and Experiences with Violence Among American Indian or Alaska Native High School Students – Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023 [PDF - 379 KB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement – October 10, 2024

Mental Health Outcomes Among American Indian and Alaska Native U.S. Army Soldiers: A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Military Medicine, Volume 188, Issue 7-8, July/August 2023

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Encounters Related to Suicidal Behavior Among Children and Adolescents With Medicaid Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Research Letter, Adolescent Mental Health; Jama Pediatrics, June 26, 2023

Suicides Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2015–2020 [PDF - 404 KB] Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement – September 16, 2022

Partner Tools

Inbound Information

National Data Coordinator Service Portal

The National Data Coordinator Service Portal Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  serves Tribal partner organizations and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) leaders in their collection and storage of digital, project-level data in support of multiple projects. The portal provides public access to video-based user training and a ticketing system for access support. The portal is compliant with HIPAA security requirements. Each partner has a unique account, with convenient means of updating, reviewing, and downloading their data, as well as designating account-specific access to individual users. The DBH National Data Coordinators work with federal program officers to minimize the data collection burden by optimizing the commonality of data elements into an integrated data dictionary. The portal administration is managed through a contracted partnership between DBH and the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center.

Outbound Information

National Analysis Engagement Network

The National Analysis Engagement Network serves Tribal partner organizations and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) leaders in their organization, distribution, and access to relevant analyses. According to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, a National Clearinghouse of Tribal outbound information (section 1665a(b)(2)) is necessary and provides a highly-responsive environment for promoting and discovering analyses across disparate sources. The network uses natural language processing for rapid organization and discovery of relevant materials. The network supports the information needs of Tribal consultations, AI/AN researchers, and health system planners, among other potential users.