Although preventable, suicide is a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. with 45,979 deaths in 2020. That’s about one death every 11 minutes. People of any age, race, ethnicity or sex can experience suicide risk, but certain groups have substantially higher rates of suicide than the general population.
Native Americans and their communities are disproportionately impacted by suicide compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to the CDC. The CDC says suicide rates decreased 4% among white people between 2019 and 2020. At the same time, suicide rates increased 4% among Black people and 6% among Native people. For Native communities, some contributing factors to suicide include limited access to health care resources, higher unemployment and poverty, and historical trauma.
Nathan Blacksmith is from Sacramento and currently serves as the Chief Traditional Health Officer at the Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC). It’s a non-profit committed to sharing the legacy of a healthy Native community “based on cultural values delivered through a traditional, innovative and accessible patient-centered health home.”
For behavioral health, SNAHC provides integrated care, mental health counseling and treatment, and recovery services.
When it comes to addressing suicide rates for Native communities, Blacksmith says it’s important to recognize “cultural connection for Native people, access to ceremonies and elders, and funding for mental health services for Native populations.”
Read more at ABC10.com.
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