American Indian/Alaska Native Settings

Suicide prevention is a high priority for people working to promote wellness and reduce health disparities affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Drawing on strengths within Native traditions, community leaders and experts are developing models that are culturally based to promote mental health and prevent suicide for future generations.

Why Address Suicide Prevention

  • Many AI/AN communities experience an elevated suicide rate.1
  • AI/AN communities may lack access to suicide prevention programs that meet their cultural needs.

How AI/AN Communities Can Take Action

The best way to prevent suicide is to use a culturally relevant, contextually driven, comprehensive approach that includes these key components:

  • Promote culturally competent practices that increase protective factors and reduce risk.
  • Connect the community’s resources to create a shared vision of wellness.
  • Gather information from Elders and community members to gain knowledge and understand the issue of suicide in the community where you are working.

Reference

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Fatal injury reports, national and regional, 1999–2014. Retrieved from http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_us.html.

Learn More

  • See the Recommended Resources below selected by SPRC personnel.
  • See All Resources Related to American Indian/Alaska Native Settings for a full list of materials, programs, trainings, and other information available from SPRC. Use the filters on the left to narrow your results.
  • For more on other settings and groups, see our Settings and Populations pages.