Cherokee Nation Awarded Suicide Prevention Grant

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

$480,000 Annually

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation was recently awarded a grant that will help fund suicide prevention efforts. The tribe is the recipient of a Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that will pay out $480,000 annually for the next three years.

“This funding will directly impact the lives of our Cherokee citizens by promoting mental wellness and reducing risk factors associated with youth suicide,”

said Levi Keehler, associate director of Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services prevention programs.

"The approach the Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Prevention Services has taken incorporates both internal, Cherokee Nation departments, and external partners, community organizations and businesses, to help ensure lasting change in our communities that positively benefits everyone."

The tribe plans to train Cherokee Nation employees and others in community organizations to identify suicidal behaviors and refer those exhibiting them to the treatment they need to get better. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicidal thoughts are a symptom of depression. NAMI statistics show 80 to 90 percent of those diagnosed with depression can be treated effectively. The Nation plans to use the grant money to make help more accessible to those who need it.

"We're going to expand the capacity, effectiveness and efficiency of suicide prevention services for American Indian youth and their families who reside within our tribal jurisdictional service area,"

said the grant's coordinator, Melissa Pitts Johnson of Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services.

"The secondary goal is to reduce the prevalence of suicide and suicidal behaviors among the Cherokee Nation at-risk youth population."

Statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control, the Oklahoma State Health Department and the Cherokee Nation show suicide rates among American Indians are approximately three times higher than the national average. Suicide prevention help is available at all Cherokee Nation health centers.

posted January 11, 2011 6:50 am est