Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Training for Youth Educators
White Stone: was developed in partnership between the RCMP Aboriginal Policing and Suicide Prevention Training Programs (SPTP). The Project has two components: Teaching young adults and community caregivers about suicide prevention, and secondly, training them to present suicide prevention education sessions to youth in their home community. White Stone is grounded in information collected from Aboriginal youth focus groups, current literature, participant feedback, and a review of programs in Canada, the United States and Australia. The name White Stone describes our hope for the program – it comes from an Ojibwa concept: of “one who teaches others how to grow old”.
The Training for Youth Educators was field tested in 2000-2001 in four Canadian locations to a total of 85 participants from 24 communities. An informal evaluation based upon participant feedback, training team experience, debriefing, and reflection is on going. A rigorous evaluation process was completed in 2004, indicating the program has a positive impact on participants.
The purpose of the Training for Youth Educators component is to train participants to be a resource to their community. The primary way for participants to be a resource is to present education sessions to youth in their community. The Youth Education Sessions are intended to be presented to youth over the age of 16 who are not known to be actively at risk of suicide. The Sessions are designed to be flexible and responsive to local needs. The sessions have a life-skills development focus and, it is expected that they will be offered as part of a larger community suicide prevention strategy. Curriculum will include suicide prevention and may incorporate self-esteem, problem solving, goal setting, and communication and coping skills.
Participants in the White Stone are Aboriginal and Inuit youth 18-25 years of age who have been identified as leaders by their community and community-based service providers (youth worker, teacher, nurse, police etc.). When they return to their community many participants will work in partnership to offer Youth Education sessions.
The 5-day White Stone includes 16 hours of youth suicide prevention curriculum. The content includes: exploration of beliefs around suicide, dynamics of suicidal behaviours, discussions around the role of culture of origin, risk and protective factors, intervention skills as well as practice through simulations. The remainder of the curriculum (19 hours) focuses on enhancing knowledge and experience in: group dynamics; planning and preparation of a Youth Education Session, presentation and leadership skills, working with vulnerable youth, self-care and community implementation.
Learning takes place in a skill affirming environment: simulations, individual and group presentations, pen and paper activities, group discussions, personal reflection, talking circle, stress busters, random acts of leadership are all part of the learning process. In an open and flexible environment participants are encouraged to take charge of their learning through individual and group learning contracts, as well as by providing daily feedback. Responsive to the needs of participants, the training format can be modified to reflect their vulnerability, strengths, as well as their skills and abilities.
White Stone is available to communities across Canada. |