Resources

Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention

The AI/AN Task Force developed the National AI/AN Hope for Life Day toolkitExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  to further advance the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s priority to change the public conversation around suicide and suicide prevention in AI/AN communities.

The National Action Alliance for Suicide PreventionExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , a national public-private partnership advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, created an AI/AN Task Force in 2011, which aims to support suicide prevention efforts in native communities nationwide.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Wallet Card: Suicide Prevention: Learn the Warning SignsExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is available to download or order from SAMHSA. The card lists warning signs and urges those who exhibit signs of suicide to contact a mental health professional or call the toll-free suicide prevention hotline.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Wallet Card: Having Trouble Coping? With Help Comes HopeExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is also available to download or order from SAMHSA. The card lists signs of depression and urges people who are having trouble coping after a traumatic event to call the hotline.

Through SAMHSA, the NSPL also offers three guides in booklet form to taking care of yourselfExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , loved onesExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , or, for medical providers to care for patientsExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  after a suicide attempt.

The Provide for Immediate and Long-Term Postvention Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  page from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers information to assist with healing after a suicide or suicide attempt.

Reports

From the Urban Indian Health Institute, a report summarizing existing programs to highlight approaches to address depression through outreach, education, screening and treatment. (August 2012): "Addressing Behavioral Health Among American Indians and Alaska Natives: A Literature Review" [PDF - 7 MB]Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) has two documents, a Tribal Substance Abuse Action Plan [PDF - 845 KB]Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and a Tribal Suicide Action Plan [PDF - 4 KB]Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  available for download on their site.

From the University of Colorado's Journal of the National Center for American Indian Alaska Native Health, a report on Methamphetamine and other drug use in pregnant American Indian Adolescents [PDF - 445 MB]Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .

Methamphetamine: Abuse and AddictionExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), provides an overview of the latest scientific findings on methamphetamine, including short- and long-term health consequences and potential prevention and treatment options.

Tools and Toolkits

One Sky Center offers a template designed to assess community suicide prevention components, the American Indian Community Suicide Prevention Assessment Tool [DOC - 183 KB]Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .

SAMHSA’s Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High SchoolsExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  toolkit provides guidance for designing and implementing strategies to prevent suicide and promote behavioral health. It includes tools to implement a multifaceted suicide prevention program that responds to students' needs and cultures.

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for SchoolsExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) includes an overview of key considerations, general guidelines for action, templates, and sample materials, all in an easily accessible format applicable to diverse populations and communities.

The SPRC offers Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQIA2S+ YouthExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , guides to help professionals, families, and communities support the mental well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth.

Other Relevant Resources

The Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov is a public-private partnership advancing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, which envisions a nation free from the tragic experience of suicide.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  strives to bring people together to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.

The American Association of SuicidologyExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is a membership organization for those involved in suicide prevention and intervention, or touched by suicide. AAS is a leader in the advancement of scientific and programmatic efforts in suicide prevention through research, education and training, the development of standards and resources, and survivor support services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Suicide Prevention Resource for ActionExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  is a downloadable 108-page guide offering strategies, approaches, and evidence based policies, programs, and pracices for preventing suicide.

The National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer CenterExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  provides educational opportunities for those interested in substance abuse treatment and counseling, including health professionals in primary prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

The SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance CenterExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  use a culturally relevant, evidence-based, holistic approach to support Native communities in their self-determination efforts through infrastructure development and capacity building, as well as program planning and implementation.

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  offers guidance for schools and communities on handling online messaging to promote healing after a suicide.

We are NativeExit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , operated by the Northwest Area Indian Health Board, aims to promote holistic health and positive growth in both locally and nationwide, and is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content on topics that matter to them most.