Native Connections Program - Suicide Prevention

Over five years, the Great Plains Native Connections Program will provide prevention services to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek School District in South Dakota.

The Native Connections Program aims to provide culturally-relevant prevention services to youth ages 10 -18 enrolled in the Crow Creek School District.

Native Connections Program will collaborate with two identified prevention programs, Lifeways and the Network of Support, to implement a community support system, which will help educate the targeted community to ensure the success of American Indian’s (AI). By creating stronger community linkages, the Native Connections Program will provide much-needed prevention services utilized by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the Crow Creek School District.

The Native Connections Program seeks to implement prevention services by increasing access to resources and ensuring high-quality education and training to promote a healthy and positive lifestyle for at-risk youth.

What We Do

Working with the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and community organizations together, we promote healthy and positive lifestyles for at-risk tribal youth ages 10 – 24 by:

Culturally relevant activities
Prevention services
Increased access to resources
Education and training
Talking circles
Transporation

Suicide is Preventable

Would you recognize the warning signs?

Social isolation
Previous suicide attempts
Hopelessness
Giving away possessions
Depression
Agitation, anxiety
Recent significant loss
Alcohol or substance abuse
Family history of suicide

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out. Help is available!

Factors for Prevention

Effective and clinical care
Taking away highly lethal means of suicide (especially guns)
Strong connections to family and community support
Skills to help solve problems, resolve conflicts, and avoid violence
Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation