ERIC Number: EJ902724
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-5505
EISSN: N/A
It's Time to Talk: Tribal Colleges Tackle Culture of Silence about Suicide
Freeman, Janet
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education, v22 n1 p24-27 Fall 2010
Compared to the general population, American Indians are experiencing an alarmingly increased rate of suicide, which some estimate at 50% higher than other ethnic groups. On the campuses of some tribal colleges, things look equally bleak, with 15% of students reporting that they seriously considered suicide over the past 12 months. While the reasons for this tragedy are myriad and complex--and much remains to be done--some tribal colleges in New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota, are facing the crisis head-on, instituting prevention programs designed to reach students before they even set foot on campus. Culture-specific programs are pivotal for the success of suicide prevention at tribal colleges; research indicates that students who are more culturally and spiritually connected exhibit fewer suicidal tendencies. By engaging the community at large and incorporating cultural traditions, a tribal college can go a long way toward ensuring its students will seek help when they need it. (Contains 3 resources.)
Descriptors: Prevention, American Indians, Suicide, Tribally Controlled Education, Social Problems, Intervention, Culturally Relevant Education, Cultural Influences, Student Characteristics, College Students, Community Colleges, Outreach Programs
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education. P.O. Box 720, Mancos, CO 81328. Tel: 888-899-6693; Fax: 970-533-9145; Web site: http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A