Tribal colleges are at the forefront of a communitywide effort to combat suicide with culturally relevant methods. The Wiconi Ohitika project is one of several tribal college and mainstream university efforts to address the high rates of suicide among American Indians. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate for American Indians and Alaska natives is more than twice the national average for other ethnic groups. It is the second-leading cause of death behind unintentional injuries and accidents for Indian youth aged 15 to 24. The complex reasons behind these statistics dictate that suicide-prevention strategies must recognize American Indians' unique history and needs to be effective, say American Indian mental health providers and researchers. Researchers have found that by engaging the community and incorporating cultural traditions, a tribal college can ensure its students will seek help when they need it. Researchers have also found that young American Indians who are more culturally and spiritually connected exhibit fewer suicidal tendencies and greater resistance to stress. Tribal colleges and some traditionally White institutions use a variety of suicide-prevention protocols in their programming but all share the common approach of including the community and networking for resources from mainstream and tribal sources.