Suicide Prevention

What is mental health?

Mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders. Our people have a holistic view of wellness. We believe wellness is more than physical health. Wellness includes your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. You can take steps to improve your wellness.

Suicides Among Natives in South Dakota

Suicide is the 7th LEADING CAUSE of death among Natives.

Suicide rates among Natives are 2.5x HIGHER than White rates.

Males account for 63% of suicides, Females 37%.

The rate of suicide is highest among YOUNG ADULTS (20-29).

Warning Signs

A change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors is something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or do.

Talk

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves
Feeling hopeless
Having no reason to live
Being a burden to others
Feeling trapped
Unbearable pain

Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss, or change:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
Withdrawing from activities
Isolating from family and friends
Sleeping too much or too little
Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
Giving away prized possessions
Aggression
Fatigue

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression
Anxiety
Loss of interest
Irritability
Humiliation/Shame
Agitation/Anger
Relief/Sudden Improvement

If you need help right now:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 or chat 988lineline.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Text OYATE to 741741

Download & use the Connecting With Our Youth Mobile App to talk to an Okijupi (safe, local volunteer)

Mental Health Facts and Myths

Here are common myths with facts to debunk those myths about mental health.

Myth: Children do not experience mental health problems.

Fact: Half of the people who experience mental health disorders show signs before the age of 14. Young children can also show warning signs of mental health concerns. Early mental health support can help your child before problems interfere with other development needs.

Myth: Mental health problems are caused by weakness or character flaws. If a person is facing a mental health issue, they can snap out of it if they try hard enough.

Fact: Many people need help to get better. Life is hard sometimes. People who have mental health problems can get better and most completely recover.

Overcoming Stigma

Mental health stigma is common across all populations, even native communities. For Native communities, this may correlate with the loss of traditional belief systems and practices.

Across Indian County, we have seen that when Native communities return to using traditional healers, ceremonies, and rituals, some Native persons experiencing mental health problems are more likely to seek traditional forms of healing.

Yoga for Wellness

Every day, 100 people die in the United States from opioid abuse. To fight this surging epidemic, the Great Plains Tribal Opioid Response Team is working to provide tribal citizens with the tools they need to prevent and overcome opioid addiction. Starting on February 14, 2022, the Great Plains Tribal Opioid Response Team will unveil a series of online Yoga Classes free to the public that will supplement other prevention programs working to educate the community about the dangers of opioids. To prevent opioid use disorder and support those in recovery in our community, Great Plains Tribal Opioid Response offers three tracks of Yoga. All these classes are free, between 30 – 45 minutes, and online! Everyone is welcome!

Great Plains Native Connections Program

The Native Connections Program provides information on suicide prevention and substance use disorder for the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation.

Connecting With Our Youth Program

Connecting With Our Youth (CWOY) is a values-based initiative to reduce the rate of suicide for Native American youth in the He Sapa catchment area. CWOY is informed by Lakota culture values of caring and compassion for all (Waúŋšila) and youth are sacred (Wakȟáŋyeža) to strengthen connections between American Indian youth and their culture.