Young members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe carried posters with messages about suicide during an awareness walk in Parmelee, South Dakota, in June. Photo by Vi Waln / Lakota Country Times
The head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs is hoping to raise awareness of suicide in Indian Country. The suicide rate among American Indians ages 15 to 34 is 2.5 times higher than the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is the also second leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 15 to 34. "Suicide wounds every person, family and community it touches,” Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn said in a press release. “Native communities suffer from a suicide rate that is more than twice the national average. There is no greater tragedy in Indian Country." To bring attention to the issue, Washburn declared September 10 as Hope for Life Day, to be held in conjunction with World Suicide Day. It's part of a new effort from the A National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private partnership that includes the Indian Health Service. “Suicide prevention depends on bringing together native communities, as Hope for Life Day will do," IHS Director Robert G. McSwain, who serves as public sector co-lead of the alliance's American Indian and Alaska Native task force, said in a press release. "IHS works with partners to create a safety net of services to protect individuals against suicide risk and maximize the effectiveness of programs." The alliance's task force created a Hope for Life Toolkit to help generate action in Indian Country. It offers community engagement strategies, tips for meeting with tribal leaders, promotional materials and suggestions for cultural activities to help health professionals and grassroots organizers in Indian Country.
Indianz.Com SoundCloud: Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates Suicide Awareness Message
Tribal leaders are indeed hearing the message. Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates said he's been "saddened" by a series of recent suicides and among youth on the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation. There's also been at least one attempt in the area. In a public service announcement airing on radio stations on and near the reservation, he said tribal members must overcome a cultural taboo against speaking about death. "I understand that many are hesitant to discuss suicide and death," Bates said. "However, there's a tremendous need to bring this issue to the forefront in order to help our Dine youth."
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Ernestine Chasing Hawk: I
remember I am alive and a survivor (08/31) Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux counselor combats youth suicide (08/31)
Student from Nooksack Tribe focused on traditions after tragedy (07/13)
Lakota Country Times: Rosebud youth hold suicide awareness walk (07/03)
Lawmakers promise to help tribes bring a halt to youth suicide (06/25)
Pine Ridge Reservation school receives $218K for youth suicide (06/23)
Tribes impacted by youth suicide to appear at Senate hearing (06/22)
David Walker: IHS fails to recognize and respond to oppression (06/22)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on youth suicide (06/19)
Interview: Chief Gary Batton of Choctaw Nation shares struggles (06/16)
Terese Marie Mailhot: Indian Country needs allies -- not saviors (06/01)
Summer Montileaux: Silence on sexual abuse in Indian Country (05/29)
Mary Pember: New allies in battle against Indian youth suicide (05/20)
Joe Flood: What's lurking behind suicides in Indian Country? (05/18)
Oglala Sioux Tribe struggles with high rate of suicide among youth (05/01)
Ginger Lerner-Wren: Boost IHS funding to combat youth suicide (04/28)
Lakota Country Times: Families come together to fight suicide (04/20)
WBUR: Reporter discusses youth suicide in Oglala Sioux Tribe (04/15)
Oglala Sioux Tribe struggles to address suicide among its youth (04/13)
First Lady Obama speaks to Native youth at White House session (04/08)
Dominique Alan Fenton: Racism at core of Native youth suicide (04/02)
Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux youth step up to address suicide (03/13)
Regina Brave: Let's learn to forgive ourselves for our pettiness (03/11)
Charles Trimble: A Lakota memorial for victims of youth suicide (03/10)
Ivan Star: Oglala Sioux Tribe suffers with suicide among youth (03/10)
