Resource Tag: NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS

This paper examines child welfare issues in relation to the impact of cultural loss &/or lack of cultural identify & its correlation with suicide risk among young Aboriginal persons in Canada. (24 refs.)

The authors examine the main factors related to suicide among aboriginal youth & ways to redress what many consider the most important of these, discontinuity with heritage. A group of Mi’Kmaq elders & an interdisciplinary group of academicians blended traditional Mi’Kmaq knowledge & western scientific knowledge to develop a strategy to address such discontinuity. Puppets […]

The Zuni Life Skills Development Program, a community-initiated & high school-based suicide prevention intervention is discussed. Development & evaluation of this intervention are followed by note of the specific challenges associated with stabilizing the program. A more tribally diverse, culturally-informed model, “American Indian Life Skills Development Curriculum”, is then presented to illustrate a hybrid approach […]

This report summarises findings arising from the 395 child deaths that were referred to & reviewed by the BC Child Death Review Unit in 2007. Of these deaths, 215 were sudden-unexpected deaths investigated by the coroner. There were 18 suicides – 11 males & 7 females. The majority of suicides were by youth, age 17 […]

This report provides information on child & adolescent deaths in Ontario. Over the period 2001-2005, there were 279 deaths by suicide in young people, age 0-18 years. Special attention is given to youth suicide in First Nations communities. 8 recommendations are made regarding the prevention of suicide in this population.

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This special edition of the “First Nations Parents Club Bulletin” provides information for parents on youth suicide. Risk factors & warning signs are outlined. Prevention strategies are discussed as are strategies for building young people’s self-confidence & self-esteem. An annotated list of helpful websites is also included.

This study qualitatively examined the experiences of Aboriginal youth in custody in Canada using a sharing circle method. 41 sharing circles were conducted with approximately 250 youth in 11 different custody facilities. A number of different issues for these youth were explored. Findings relating to suicide include: exposure to familial suicide was common; suicide thoughts, […]

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This study examined the potential for the WASC-Y (Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist for Youth) to be used as a risk assessment tool with Aboriginal youth in Nunavut. The reasons for choosing this particular tool, general comments about mental health problems among Aboriginal youth, the Cultural Competency Continuum, & initial recommendations to the Government of Nunavut […]

This study explored healing experiences for Aboriginal youth who were suicidal. 25 Aboriginal men & women who were suicidal during their youth were interviewed as to methods by which they had recovered from their ideation. Common methods of recovery are described along with recommendations based on the findings. (14 refs.)

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This article synthesizes the epidemiology & risk factors associated with suicide among American Indians, barriers to research, prevention, mental-health services, & recommendations for research & practice. The authors present significant substantive & methodological issues that inform research on suicide in American Indian communities, as well as existing contemporary interventions. Overall, socioeconomic characteristics, substance abuse, barriers […]

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This document outlines an action plan for closing the gaps between First Nations peoples & other British Columbia citizens in the areas of health, education, housing, & economic opportunities over the next 10 years. One part of the plan is to reduce the gap in youth suicide rates between First Nations & other British Columbians […]

CSP Library has two copies.

This book is intended for clinicians & researchers who want to increase their consideration of cultural issues when working with suicidal clients or doing research in this area. The introduction discusses how culture affects suicide, suicide throughout history, definitions, risk indicators, assessment, prevention, crisis intervention, & counselling & psychotherapeutic approaches. The remaining chapters in the […]

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