Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out. It’s important to know about these topics, and to approach them in a respectful way.
It is true that American Indian communities have high rates of suicide. The Center for Disease Control found that from 1999 to 2017 the suicide rate for American Indian and Alaska Native people rose 139%.
There are many factors that contribute to high suicide rates, such as suppression and disconnection from traditional lands, loss of cultural practices, and family separation. Tribal people and communities also continue to face barriers that limit access to resources and support. Together, these challenges make it harder to access the mental health care that Tribal communities need.
As a non-Native person there are ways that you can be an ally to Native communities. You can start by educating yourself and your friends. What Native land do you live on? (If you don’t know find out here: https://native-land.ca) Learn about the true history between the US government and Native tribes. An important part of being an ally is to listen and learn.
Also avoid taking a savior role. Sometimes, when well-intentioned non-Tribal people want to help other communities, they assume they know what is best and unintentionally look down on the very people they are trying to support.
Long story short, there are so many ways you can be an ally, including going into the field of psychology, just make sure that you are doing it respectfully and humbly.
Best of luck on your journey,
Auntie Manda
