The month of September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Despite immense cultural resilience and pride, AI/AN youth are one of the most at-risk populations in the nation. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for AI/AN teens and young adults, and has a devastating, reverberating impact on both families and communities. Today, Native youth are leading a movement to decolonize all aspects of health and wellness, including destigmatizing mental health.
Native youth are returning to traditional ways of knowing to reclaim wellness in all its forms. This month’s issue provides culturally appropriate tools, resources and opportunities for wellness strategies and skill-building for native communities.
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Springboard Campaign 2020 |
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We R Native is excited to launch our Indigenous self-love campaign: #IndigiLOVE Begins with I!
Over the summer we worked with a group of talented, Indigenous young people to discuss mental health in our lives and communities. We discussed the importance of taking time to care for ourselves, to advocate for ourselves, and to love ourselves as Native youth! We can’t wait to share the powerful and beautiful artwork and content that was created. In recognition of suicide prevention month, our #IndigiLOVE theme for September is reaching out for help! Asking for help when you need it is a form of self-love. Check out WRN's social media channels this month to see the amazing content created by the youth participants!
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Suicide Prevention Native Campaigns |
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Materials for World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10th
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The campaigns listed below, can be downloaded, printed, or passed along from our website:
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The We Are Connected. #WeNeedYouHere campaign encourages youth to identify suicide warning signs and seek help.
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The LGBTQ-Two Spirit campaign, Loved & Accepted. #WeNeedYouHere, encourages and shows love, acceptance, and support for anyone identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and/or Two Spirit.
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The Native Veterans campaign, You Protected Us. Let Us Walk With You. #WeNeedYouHere, strives to ignite hope and help-seeking from Veterans who are struggling.
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Free Webinar:
Two Spirit/LGBTQ+ Self-Love in the Time of COVID-19
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This webinar is a 1 hour and 30 minute panel and breakout workshop for tribal members, professionals, allies, and anyone who works with Two Spirit/LGBTQ+. The session will cover self-care and ways to stay grounded and connected during COVID, pandemic conditions and their implications for mental health, and resources for Two Spirit/LGBTQ+.
REGISTRATION is Free! Stay Connected by texting LGBTQ2S to 97779.
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HNY Curricula Highlight & Webinar Training |
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HNY Curricula Highlight:
Responding to Concerning Posts on Social Media
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Suicide prevention remains challenging among youth, as many do not disclose suicidal ideation to others before attempting suicide. However, emerging research suggests that nearly one-third of AI/AN youth see concerning messages on social media on a daily or weekly basis. The Responding to Concerning Posts on Social Media webinar training will prepare adults who work with Native youth to identify peers who post or view concerning posts on social media, and connect them to appropriate services.
To learn more about the curricula, click here.
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One-Hour Online Webinar Training for Adults |
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To meet young people where they are and utilize their preferred communication channels, caring adults need training to develop these skills to understand concerning messages on social media. The Responding to Concerning Posts on Social Media includes a 1-hour webinar training designed for adults who work with Native youth. It includes:
- A 30-minute video
- An overview of the Viewer Care Plan
- Tips and resources for supporting someone who posts or views concerning messages
Click here to view the webinar.
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Curriculum Enhancement Lesson:
Self Care Plan for Youth
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The Healthy Native Youth Enhancement Activities are tools that can be used to connect youth to culture as a protective factor, while covering vital information such as managing stress, anxiety and mental health.
Click here to view an enhancement lesson designed to assist youth in developing a plan for their self-care.
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HNY Community of Practice |
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Community of Practice 2020-2021 Schedule Released |
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Interested in learning amongst others and getting some ideas, suggestions or resources for your educator toolbox? Join the Community of Practice each 2nd Wednesday of every month at 11 AM PST! We are beginning our third year of collaborative learning as a community with tribal health educators, teachers, parents, prevention specialists and people who share a passion for improving the lives of Native youth in attendance. Text HEALTHY to 97779 and join us!
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September 9th:
Preparing & Planning for Virtual and In-Person Learning
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The month of September’s Community of Practice is focused on adapting program implementation with virtual platforms such as zoom, google classroom and others ways of learning in the era of COVID. As a community, we share our strengths and expertise about how we will improve the lives of Native youth, together. Text HEALTHY to 97779 or click to view our Community of Practice webpage for info!
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September 25th:
Mental Health Professionals' Coffee Break
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The National Indian Child Welfare Association is hosting a mental health professionals’ coffee break. This coffee break will be a place for mental health providers in Indian Country and Alaska Native communities to gather and share experiences during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. All mental health providers including Behavioral Health Aides, Therapists, Program Directors, and others alike are welcome to attend the coffee break. This space is created for peer support and networking with providers within our communities. Terry Cross (Seneca), MSW, ACSW, LCSW, founder and senior advisor for NICWA and Tessa Baldwin (Inupiaq), LMSW, itinerant therapist in rural Alaska and NICWA board member will host the session.
Click here to register for the meeting.
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Alaska Native News & Resources |
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Alaska Bounce Back Photo Contest |
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The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium announced an “Alaska Bounce Back” photo contest to engage the Alaska Native community, encouraging all ages to participate. The contest calls for photos, images, or artwork submissions that reflect healthy coping skills, or the ability to “bounce back,” in the face of adversities, setbacks, and losses.
Click here for more information.
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CARELINE
Alaska’s Suicide Prevention and Someone to Talk to Line
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Careline is free and confidential. Our phone line, 877-266-4357 (HELP) is open 24/7; our text line (text 4help to 839863) is open 3-11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. We treat callers with respect and listen without judgment. We are Alaskans helping Alaskans.
You can find more information about us and preventing suicide and building resilience here!
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First Alaskans Institute Statewide Elders and Youth Conference – Call for Proposals and Registration |
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First Alaskans Institute announces its theme for the 37th Annual Elders & Youth conference, ““Asirqamek Apruciluta” (Sugt’stun, Chugach), “Asisqamek Aprut’liluta” (Alutiiq), which translate into English as, “We Are Making a Good Path.” This theme exemplifies our ancestral responsibilities to protect and advance our peoples and communities, including through this time of COVID-19 and the racial justice transformation that is happening right now as well. The purpose of the gathering is to develop leadership in our Native youth, strengthened with the experience and wisdom of our Native Elders.
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Photo Credit: Stronghearts Native Helpline |
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Next month’s issue will spotlight Domestic Violence Awareness and National Bullying Prevention Month. Click to watch a 2-minute PSA video written by native youth that intertwines these two issues in one in a very real scenario!
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