What Families are Dealing With
Native families may have relatives who are hurting and are out of balance with their mind, body, and spirit. The whole community is impacted by those relatives that see no way out by turning to suicide.
Historical trauma is associated with risk factors for PTSD, depression and diabetes. Suicide victims brains show an altered brain chemistry such as a "switched off" stress response. Also problems of high rates of adverse childhood experiences ACEs, PTSD, depression, and substance abuse shows the same chemistry of genes that had a “switched off” response to stress. Native Americans during the identity years of 10-24 years old have the highest suicide rates of any racial group. (Leavitt et al, 2018, CDC)
It is important to note, however, that Native Americans have also shown an inherited resilience
How This Affects the Families I Work With
The families you work with may need:
- additional supports to cope with stressors.
- encouragement to seek connection with others.
- access to health practices/treatment.
- help in building on strengths and developing protective factors.
What I Can Do to Build on Family Strengths
Build upon Strengths and develop protective factors
- Promote a strong identification with culture
- Build upon family strengths
- Understand cultural connections with the past
- Utilize traditional health practices
- Develop adaptability
- Seek out the wisdom of elders
Some critical behaviors to use to protect against suicide attempts among AI/AN youth include:
- Provide opportunities for youth to talk about their problems
- Promote connectedness to family, extended family, and cultural family
- Build emotional health and resilience
- Support spiritual growth
- Develop adaptability
- Seek out the wisdom of elders
One study of American Indians living on reservations found that individuals with a strong tribal spiritual orientations were half as likely to report a suicide attempt in their lifetimes. (American Psychiatric Association, Office of Minority and National Affairs, 2010)