According to the Center For Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, hereafter referred to as CFAY, American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) adolescents have the highest mortality rate caused by suicide than any other ethnic group within the United States (CFAY 2). Within the age group from 12 to 20, violence is the most leading cause of death, namely 75%, including suicide and homicide (CFAY 3). As stated by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) there has been a steep ascent of suicides among Native American tribes since the past ten years and therefore caused tribal chiefs as well as the federal government to take action against this crisis. Although there are many studies on suicidal behavior and suicide itself, only a few take into account several risk and protective factors, which are unique to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. There are reasons for Native American adolescents to commit suicide that are incomparable to other ethnic groups within the United States, which will be revealed in this paper.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Statistics on the Native American Youth Suicide Crisis
- Risk and Protective Factors
- Risk Factors
- Protective Factors
- Suicide Prevention Programs
- American Indian Life Skills Development
- CARE (Care, Assess, Respond, Empower)
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This study examines the Native American youth suicide crisis, exploring its dimensions and impact. It investigates specific reasons for suicide among Native American youth and reviews current suicide prevention efforts. The study utilizes the suicide prevention guide "To Live To See the Great Day That Dawns" and statistics from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute (CFAY).
- High suicide rates among Native American youth compared to other ethnic groups in the US.
- The role of historical trauma and cultural loss as risk factors for suicide.
- Analysis of existing suicide prevention programs and their effectiveness.
- The intergenerational transmission of trauma within Native American communities.
- The impact of social isolation and reservation life on suicide risk.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the Native American youth suicide crisis, highlighting its severity and the disproportionate impact on this population compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. It underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the unique risk and protective factors within these communities and previews the structure of the study, outlining the subsequent chapters' focus on statistics, risk and protective factors, and suicide prevention programs.
Statistics on the Native American Youth Suicide Crisis: This chapter presents alarming statistics illustrating the high suicide rates among Native American youth, particularly young males, compared to the general US population. It utilizes data from the SPRC and CFAY to showcase the significant disparities and the urgent need for intervention. The chapter emphasizes the higher suicide rates among Native American youth, especially in specific age groups and geographic locations, highlighting the crisis's magnitude and the disparities compared to national averages.
Risk and Protective Factors: This chapter delves into the specific risk and protective factors contributing to the crisis. It centers on the concept of "historical trauma," explaining its impact on Native American communities across generations stemming from events like forced removals and the assimilation policies of boarding schools. The chapter also explores other contributing factors, contrasting them with protective elements that may mitigate suicide risk within these communities.
Keywords
Native American youth, suicide crisis, historical trauma, cultural loss, suicide prevention programs, risk factors, protective factors, intergenerational trauma, American Indian, Alaska Native, suicide rates, reservation life, boarding schools, assimilation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of this document?
This document focuses on the Native American youth suicide crisis, its dimensions, and potential solutions.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The document explores the following key themes: high suicide rates among Native American youth, the role of historical trauma and cultural loss, analysis of suicide prevention programs, intergenerational transmission of trauma, and the impact of social isolation and reservation life.
What are the main risk factors discussed?
Historical trauma, cultural loss, social isolation, and the challenges of reservation life are discussed as significant risk factors contributing to the Native American youth suicide crisis.
What are some of the suicide prevention programs mentioned?
The document mentions American Indian Life Skills Development and CARE (Care, Assess, Respond, Empower) as examples of suicide prevention programs.
What is the significance of "historical trauma" in this context?
Historical trauma refers to the collective trauma experienced by Native American communities across generations due to events like forced removals and assimilation policies, significantly impacting their mental health and well-being.
What is the role of statistics in this document?
Statistics from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute (CFAY) are used to illustrate the high suicide rates among Native American youth and highlight the disparities compared to other ethnic groups.
Who is the target population of the document?
The document focuses specifically on Native American youth and the factors contributing to suicide within this demographic.
What does the document aim to achieve?
The document aims to examine the Native American youth suicide crisis, investigate the reasons behind it, and review existing suicide prevention efforts, utilizing resources like the suicide prevention guide "To Live To See the Great Day That Dawns."
What does the introduction chapter focus on?
The introduction establishes the context of the crisis, highlights its severity, and previews the study's structure, outlining subsequent chapters' focus on statistics, risk factors, and prevention programs.
What data sources are referenced in the document?
The document references data from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute (CFAY).
What keywords are associated with this topic?
Keywords associated with this topic include: Native American youth, suicide crisis, historical trauma, cultural loss, suicide prevention programs, risk factors, protective factors, intergenerational trauma, American Indian, Alaska Native, suicide rates, reservation life, boarding schools, assimilation.
- Quote paper
- Lisa Schreinemacher (Author), 2015, The Native American Youth Suicide Crisis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1607539
