September is Suicide Prevention Month
For six years, Healthy Native Youth has promoted culturally-relevant, age appropriate, health resources for American Indian and Alaska Native youth, educators and parents.
 
The September issue includes teaching tools, resources and best practices you can use to create safe and affirming spaces as you head back-to-school.
Suicide Prevention Observances
Saturday September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day! This is a day to raise awareness around suicide, the impacts of suicide, and strategies for suicide prevention. Suicidologists throughout Indian Country came together and created the National American Indian/Alaska Native Hope for Life Day toolkit to help guide Tribes, Nations, and communities to implement activities for this important day. Check out the link above for ideas to honor or prevent suicide.

Don’t forget to take pictures and share the hope they bring on social media with the hashtags #WeRNative #WSPD #SuicidePrevention.

  • September 4th – 10th Suicide Prevention Week
  • September 10th World Suicide Prevention Day  

Click here for shareable Suicide Prevention Day social media posts for indigenous communities.

Community of Practice
Community of Practice Fall 2022 Schedule
September: Creating Safe Spaces for Youth
HNY’s Community of Practice is kicking off Year 5 with a fresh new look and line-up with a twist. We kick off the new year on September 14th at 10 AM PDT. Join us to talk about what a safe space is, why it’s important, and how you can create them in your community!

Healing & Hope – Part 1

  • September 14 - Safe Spaces  
  • October 26 - Sexual Health in Indian Country & Alaska Today
  • November 9 - Healthy Native Youth Highlights & Resources
  • December 12 - The Tribal Relationship
Implementation Toolbox - Where Do I Start?
We know many folks have already started building youth programs, selecting curricula, and are actively implementing programs.

There are tips and tools in the Implementation Toolbox that can help wherever you are in the planning process.

Look at the list of activities on the Where Do I Start page to get started.

Or check out our new and improved Comparison Chart to help find a program that fits with your setting.
Featured Resource for September - Mind4Health
Mind4Health is a text message service for caring adults to help them nurture conversations with students that build mental health. We’ll walk you through three steps to fill your mental health toolbox. In the Respond phase, you’ll learn how to support youth with their mental health. In the Heal and Grow phases, we’ll use our Indigenous lens to put things into context – sharing tips and tools to support your own mental health.

To join, text “Mind4Health” to 65664.
Health Resources for Native Youth
Ask Your Relative Q&A Service
Check out our new and improved Ask Your Relative page on We R Native. Ask Your Relative is a team of educators, public health professionals, and caring adults who support Native Youth through a Q&A service.

Native youth are able to ask questions on a variety of topics ranging from how to flat stitch to snagging. We do our best to answer – as your relatives.

Ask Nurse Lisa (For Alaska Residents)
Do you have questions about STIs or other sexual health issues?

All questions submitted through the form below will be answered by Nurse Lisa or another clinical staff at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Please make sure your email address is correct.

Resources for Clinicians
Adolescent Sexual Health Toolkit
Designed by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Adolescent Sexual Health Toolkit is an informational guide for providers on the essentials of communicating with adolescent patients about their sexual health and development. It provides talking points and frameworks to assist in an efficient and accurate sexual health history as well as discusses the importance of cultural sensitivity.

This toolkit is part of an evidence-based practice improvement project. The project requires data to evaluate success and impact of the toolkit. After careful review and consideration, or actual use in practice, we invite you to complete a 10-15 minute survey to aid in future improvements of the information embedded. We recommend 2-4 weeks of toolkit review prior to survey completion. Your participation and feedback would be greatly appreciated.
In Closing
Shout out to all the amazing educators who are taking healthy risks to teach holistic, inclusive health ed. to our Native youth and young adults! For those who are teaching these topics for the first time – take a moment to remember your own learning journey on these important life topics – how do you want the experience to be for today’s youth? Take a healthy risk and go for it! You are not alone; HNY is here to support you!
Coming Up in October

Bullying and Violence Prevention Month
Spread the Word
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