An Open Letter to Native Youth: You are Needed

Each of you are here – moving through the changes that fall brings – because your ancestors prayed for you and the path you are on. They prayed for you to have strength, compassion, kindness and a loving heart. You are here not by chance, but by purpose. You bring with you the knowledge and memories of all those who came before you. You are setting the path for all those that will come after you. Please remember that you carry this medicine inside of you, always.

While we sit in gratitude for our medicine – especially today, on World Suicide Prevention Day – we should also take time to honor and remember those who are struggling, or have left this world too soon. We lift them up in prayer so they are not forgotten. As we hold our relatives in our hearts, we should also remember to take care of ourselves and our spirits. Burn some cedar or sage, leave a tobacco offering – do something that makes you feel centered and grounded in your culture, in your community, in your Indigeneity. 

We know our communities are disproportionately impacted by suicide – devastatingly, it’s the second leading cause of death for our youth. Native American teens are affected nearly 3.5 times more than the national average. But you cannot be defined by statistics – you are worthy of this life. There are people and resources available to help you through difficult times. Healing is not meant to be walked alone, lean on your community, your culture, your loved ones when you need to. Your life – all life – is sacred. 

If you are feeling lost – overwhelmed, stressed out, disconnected – please do not hesitate to reach out for help. Talk with a trusted relative, friend, spiritual leader or medical professional. Utilize the resources provided below, trained crisis support staff who can help you, listen to you and support you in your time of need.

At the Center for Native American Youth, we lift you up – your successes and your challenges – we care about you and we want to see you thrive. You belong here. You are loved. You are needed.

With love and support,
Tracy Goodluck & Team CNAY

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Resources 

If your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 988 for immediate emergency assistance, live trained counselors available 24/7.* 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential help. You can get treatment referral and information about mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish. Call: 1-800-662-4357 or text your ZIP code to 435748. You can also visit FindTreatment.gov to locate a treatment facility or provider.

*In some instances, contacting 988 or other SAMHSA services can result in alerting or dispatching emergency services (including police). Many crisis line workers (including some listed here) are mandated to report calls regarding suicide to the police (i.e. “active rescue”). If this is a concern, we encourage you to first ask about their reporting policies before sharing.

Crisis Text Line is a global mental health organization dedicated to supporting people in their most difficult moments. Volunteer Crisis Counselors support people through challenges like stress, anxiety, loneliness, bullying, substance use, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts – empowering texters to draw on their strengths and coping skills. Text HOME or HOLA to 741741 for free, confidential support focused on both crisis intervention and prevention, available 24/7.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Teen & Young Adult HelpLine is a free, confidential nationwide peer-support service that provides one-on-one emotional support, mental health information and resources needed to tackle your tough challenges. Call 800-950-6264 or text “FRIEND” to 62640, available Monday-Friday from 10am-10pm ET.

For a list of statewide/regional Warmlines – a peer-run phone line that offers callers emotional support and is staffed by volunteers who are in recovery themselves – visit the NAMI National Warmline Directory. Many tribes also have dedicated helplines. Consider reaching out to your tribe, or checking their websites, to find out more.

The Warmlines below – compiled by Inclusive Therapists – avoid police interference and offer transparency about their reporting/tracing policies.

• Call BlackLine – call/text 1-800-604-5841 or download the app – provides a space for peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing and affirming the lived experiences for folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ focus. By us for us.
• Trans Lifeline – call 1-877-565-8860 (or 1-877-330-6366 in Canada)  – is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or not sure you’re trans.
• Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line – call 1-888-407-4515 – is answered by a trained peer supporter who has their own first-hand experience with psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, addiction, and/or other interrupting challenges.
• Fireside Project Psychedelic Support Line – call/text 623-473-7433 or download the app – provides free confidential support during and after psychedelic experiences. 
• LGBT National Youth Talkline – call 1-800-246-7743 – provides confidential peer support, information and local/national resources for callers ages 25 and younger.
• StrongHearts Native Helpline – call or text 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) – is a safe, anonymous, and confidential domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering support and advocacy.

In partnership with Casey Family Programs, the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health spent two years listening to Native voices from across Indian Country and scanning Indigenous literature to gather tribally-driven, evidence- and practice-based solutions to prevent youth suicide. Read CULTURE FORWARD: a Strengths and Culture Based Tool to Protect Our Native Youth from Suicide.