Photo Credit: National Indian Council on Aging
In the United States, studies show that the suicide rates in teens have gone up drastically between 2007 to 2017, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In indigenous communities, Native American youth specifically die by suicide at nearly twice the rate of surrounding white areas.
With the focus of community and being together in times of crisis, Covid-19 has made things exceedingly difficult, with many reservations becoming hotspots. Communication within the tribes are most often in person with one another and the difference in not being able to be together can cause an increase in depression.
Poverty, substance abuse and the risk within generational households pose an increased risk now with Covid as mental and physical health suffers. Also exemplifying the disparages in health care for Native Americans, many relying on cultural resilience.
Racial misclassification makes the data collected inconsistent and hard to see how bad it really is in different groupings. “American Indian/ Alaska Native,” “Native Hawaiian,” and “Other Pacific Islanders,” are how some are organized while some states lump them all together in the “Other” category.
According to Mental Health America (MHA), 19% of the U.S. population that identifies as Native American or Alaskan Native have reported having some type of mental illness in 2020. MHA estimates that “Native/Indigenous people in America report experiencing serious psychological distress 2.5 times more than the general population over a month’s time.”
The generational trauma in Native communities has passed on the fear of epidemics, harkening back to the smallpox epidemic brought by European settlers. The historical trauma and trigger is constantly brought back up with the news and talk of the pandemic which could be adding to the increased anxiety in the community.
The CDC website offers help in handling the virus in their “Tribal Communities” page. Among pamphlets to spot Covid-19 and a video with Wes Studi the acclaimed actor, they also link to the Indian Health Service (IHS) website that has more specific information. In the Resources section there are webinars that focus on emotional wellbeing and cultural resilience.
The webinars themselves touch on how to have that sense of belonging and interconnectedness within the tribe while still trying to be safe. Presenters Dr. Denise Middlebrook, and Dr. Lori Raney give examples of adapting cultural practices within the community without the risk of spreading the virus.
There are virtual cultural support groups, regalia making, singing, storytelling, Native language classes, choir and Facebook groups all online. In-person socially distanced Pow Wows could also raise spirits in the community without potentially exposing others.
If you or someone you know has had suicidal thoughts and want to talk to a crisis worker they are on call 24/7 at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline via 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or live online chat. The call is confidential, toll-free and can assist in crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
