Native America Calling: Regional improvement in suicide statistics is hopeful sign

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Friday, March 7, 2025

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Regional improvement in suicide statistics is hopeful sign

Tribal and state public health efforts in New Mexico are credited with reducing the Native American suicide rate by 43 percent over a year’s time.

It’s even more notable in that the percent reduction is more than five times that of the rest of the population. There are still troubling statistics, including a study that shows Native American young people at most risk.

Join Native America Calling to hear from suicide prevention experts about where problems persist and what is being done to offset them.

Guests on Native America Calling

Shelby Rowe (Chickasaw), executive director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma

Dr. Deidre Yellowhair (Diné), research assistant professor in the division of community behavioral health for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of New Mexico in New Mexico

Lynette Hepa (Iñupiaq), director of the department of health and social services for the North Slope Borough in Alaska

Amanda WhiteCrane (Northern Cheyenne), director of the Native & Strong Lifeline with the Volunteers of America Western Washington in Washington state