"Youth suicide among Native Americans has become an issue of such concern that on March 25 the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing in an effort to seek knowledge for the future prevention of suicide among young Native Americans. Coloradas Mangas, a 15-year-old high school sophomore on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Ruidoso, New Mexico; bravely testified before the Senators on the committee.

When asked why he thought young Native Americans are killing themselves, Mangas said, "Things go wrong that they can't change. They don't get shown the love they need. They say, You don't love me when I was here. Now you love me when I'm not here.'"

Mangas once attempted suicide himself. Thankfully, his attempt failed. His efforts now will help many to understand that pride nor shame should be reasons to end one's life. At the hearing Mangas said, "I come from a people whose pride runs deep, but I also understand that sometimes pride can keep us from asking for help."

On Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, teen suicide is the second-leading cause of death. Drunk-driving accidents are the only thing that ends more lives.

On the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, 17 teenage boys have committed suicide in recent months. It was learned that they had entered a suicide pact with each other and drew numbers to decide the order of their deaths."

Get the Story:
Gary Dickson: Native American teen suicide (The Lake County Record Bee 4/2)

Committee Hearing:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on The Preventable Epidemic: Youth Suicides and the Urgent Need for Mental Health Care Resources in Indian Country (March 25, 2010)

Related Stories:
Video: Indian Affairs Committee hearing on youth suicide (3/25)
Witnesses: SCIA hearing on youth suicide, mental health (3/23)
SCIA hearing on youth suicides, mental health resources (3/22)
IHCIA finally passes as part of national health reform bill (3/22)