Hi there! Thanks for writing in.
From the question and email address, I’m guessing you might be looking into some resources for school? I’m happy to help!
Here are some things to get you started: check out We R Native’s website and the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s (IASP) or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) webpages for more information, factsheets, and Suicide Prevention events worldwide: iasp.info or afsp.org.
Then, take action and spread the word that suicide CAN BE PREVENTED!
Here’s some things that can be done within the community:
- Organize a cultural or spiritual event to raise awareness about suicide (maybe an Out of the Darkness Walk).
- Organize a training at your school on suicide and depression…host a Question, Persuade, Respond (QPR) training or TeenScreen event.
- Watch We R Native YouTube video’s on suicide prevention.
- Create a video about suicide prevention and post it on We R Native.
- Check out these additional resources: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (save.org) or the get involved page of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Create and share hopeful message by using the #WeNeedYouHere blank sign. This small message can remind a friend, a family member, or even a person across the country that We Are Connected and #weneedyouhere.
You can also check out Healthy Native Youth’s website for a First Nations Youth Suicide Prevention Guide and I Know Mine, which is an Alaska Native specific health website.
There’s also a super interesting webinar that just took place about suicide prevention in Yup’ik communities in Alaska. It is titled “Qungasvik (Tools for Life): An Indigenous Intervention to Prevent Alcohol Misuse and Suicide Among Yup’ik Alaska Native Youth” and the recording should be available soon on the Northwest ATTC here: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/northwest-attc/northwest-attc-webinar-series.
Hope this helps to get you started. Best of luck on the amazing work you’re doing!
Take care,
Auntie Manda
