Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks answers for high rate of youth suicide


Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) with students from the Red Cloud School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Photo from Instagram

Leaders and members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota spoke out about suicide in a session with members of Congress on Thursday.

According to news reports, nearly 20 young people have taken their lives since December 2014. In addition, more than 250 have attempted suicide, KEVN reported.

"Boy, it broke my heart," Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) told KELO after the meeting. "Because a lot of those individuals attempting suicide were very young, 10, 11, 12 years old."

A task force set up by the Indian Health Service is proposing to build treatment centers to help address the issue, KOTA reported. One council member said the centers need to be located on or close to reservations

Get the Story:
Tribal Members Seek Federal Help For Suicide Rates (KELO 10/15)
Thune, Noem hear about rash of reservation suicides (KOTA 10/15)
Thune, Noem visit Pine Ridge (KEVN 10/15)

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