Minority Women's Health

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Suicide

Minority Women's Health > American Indians/Alaska Natives > Health Topics > Suicide

Suicide, or the taking of one's own life, is a tragic problem. American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest rates of suicide among all 15 to 24 year olds.

You can help prevent suicide. If you or someone you know feels suicidal, call 911, 1-800-SUICIDE, or the number of a suicide crisis center (you can find the number in your phone book) to talk about it. It is important to take any mention of suicide seriously and get help right away.

Publications

1.   American Indian Health — This web site is an information portal for and about the health of native peoples of the United States. The topics include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and environmental health.

   http://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov/

2.     Flyer targeted at American Indian/Alaskan Native males aged 15-24 — This is a flyer that can be printed and distributed. It is targeted at American Indian/Alaskan Native males aged 15-24, but it can be used for women as well. It encourages those who feel suicidal to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

   http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/media/pdf/PSA_NativeAmerican.pdf

3.     Suicide: Facts at a Glance — This fact sheet provides statistics on suicide prevalence in the United States. It looks at the differences among gender, race, and age.

   http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Suicide/suicide_data_sheet.pdf

4.   A Guide to Suicide Prevention for American Indian and Alaskan Native Communities (Copyright © One Sky Center) — This guide is written for tribal and community leaders. It discusses suicide warning signs, prevention strategies, information for schools, a list of promising programs, a community assessment tool, and more.

   http://www.oneskycenter.org/documents/AGuidetoSuicidePreventionDRAFT.pdf

5.   If You Are Considering Suicide (Copyright © AAS) — If you are feeling suicidal, it’s important to seek medical help right away. You are not alone. Many people have suicidal thoughts. But it’s important that depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other problems that inspire suicidal thinking are treatable. A suicidal crisis is usually temporary. Your problems do have solutions — you just can’t see them right now. This publication will tell you more about the help and hope available for people considering suicide.

   http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-32.pdf...

Organizations

1.   National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
2.   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
3. American Association of Suicidology
4. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007