High rates of suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native populations call for significant efforts by lawmakers and public sector psychologists to develop, implement, and evaluate policy and programs that increase our understanding of factors that contribute to these high rates, and lead to effective resources that reduce the suicide crisis among these groups. The author describes how the federal government has responded to this crisis, what the barriers have been, and what is needed in the future from multiple sectors to ensure our nation’s health care system is responsive to the tremendous health care needs that have long been evident in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
90% of all AI/AN students attend regular public schools and about 8% attend schools administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
“I believe it is imperative that the voice of youth directly impacted by ICWA, be heard in defense and support of this important piece of legislation.”