1,597
Views
10
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

“Togetherness:” the role of intergenerational and cultural engagement in urban American Indian and Alaskan Native youth suicide prevention

, & ORCID Icon
 

ABSTRACT

In a collaborative study with an Urban Indian Health Organization (UIHO) and a University, we conducted six talking circles over three years with American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) elders, adults, and youth to examine perceptions of suicide and suicide prevention strategies within their community. Results of a thematic analysis indicated that normalization of suicide, stigma, and historical trauma were barriers to suicide prevention. Consistent themes of elders, adults, and youth over all three years reflected the need for intergenerational engagement and cultural connectedness as suicide prevention strategies. Implications for culturally-grounded social work practice with AI/ANs are presented.

View correction statement:
Correction

Acknowledgments

Miigwetch, thank you, to community member participants and this UIHO’s Suicide Prevention Team. This study is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Garrett Lee Smith State and Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Grant #U79 SM061738-01. The views, opinions, and content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Center for Mental Health Services [U79 SM061738-01].

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.