A Holistic Response to First Nation Suicide: One Family and Community’s Response

This manual has been written to offer guidance to Aboriginal communities & families who have lost a loved one to suicide. The importance of having appropriate supports & tools in place to offer prompt & effective help to various segments of the community is emphasized. Following an introduction presenting the issues surrounding First Nations suicide, actual strategies used by the family & community are recounted. These strategies are divided into four areas: natural caregivers, traditional ceremonies, professional & community services, & school supports. Appendices include information on postvention, grief rituals, & assessment of suicide risk & strategies to reduce risk.