Suicide Prevention and Care Program
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Despite the strengths of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) families and communities, suicide remains a devastating and all too frequent event. Complex, interrelated factors contribute to an increased suicide risk among AI/AN people and include mental health disorders, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma, and community-wide issues. Factors that protect AI/AN youth and young adults against suicidal behavior are a sense of belonging to one's culture, a strong Tribal/spiritual bond, the opportunity to discuss problems with family or friends, feeling connected to family, and positive emotional health.
Cooperation among Tribal, Federal, and other partners is imperative to create a safety net of interconnected programming – health, education, law enforcement, public health and well-being, economic development, and physical and behavioral health – to maximize effectiveness of services and to protect individuals against suicide risk.
24/7 Confidential Crisis Support is Available
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate support, 988 can be reached via call, text or chat. Additionally, you can reach a trained crisis support counselor at Crisis Text Line by texting NATIVE to 741 741. 988 Lifeline and Crisis Text Line. Call or Text NATIVE to 741741.
