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)
As of 2010, there were over 2.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) under the age of 24 living in the U.S.
"Through movements like Break the Silence, we can empower youth to heal from the physical and emotional wounds of sexual abuse and rehabilitate our Native communities to a state of resilience. With something as simple as a water balloon, we can rehabilitate, educate, and inspire cultural change."