Rosebud Sioux Tribe

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will establish the Wiconi Wakan (Sacredness of Life) Health & Healing Center, a place to implement the Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Project plan targeting Rosebud Sioux children and youth (ages 10-24) on the Rosebud Sioux reservation. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe does declare the youth sacred (Wakan) and a vital asset to the people of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Suicide has created a destructive ripple in the very structure of Lakota Sioux society; effects will be felt for generations to come, the WWHH Center will provide the venue for reviving the life of our people. The overall goal of the project is to strengthen and develop culturally and linguistically appropriate youth suicide prevention and early intervention services for the Rosebud Sioux and be informed directly by consumers, parents, youth and providers within the Rosebud Sioux reservation. The goals of the program include: (1) The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program will increase awareness of the signs of suicide among community, provide community outreach to parents and youth by working collaboratively with other agencies, providers and organizations to share information and resources by promoting awareness that suicide is preventable. (2) Implement a culturally appropriate youth suicide prevention and early intervention and post-vention program. This level of intervention will include screening programs, gatekeeper training for adult caregivers and peer natural helpers, support and skill building groups for at-risk Rosebud Sioux youth, and enhanced accessible crisis services and referrals sources. (3) The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will implement the public health approach to suicide prevention as outlined in the Institute of Medicine report, Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative.