Our Networks

Community

Indigenous cultures and traditions recognize that community is a source of strength and resiliency. Cultural values and traditions shape our people, and encourage problem solving together rather than apart, which creates a sense of purpose and belonging for the youth.

How Belonging Shapes Us

Connectedness and belonging helps support our younger generations and lead them to thrive with a sense of purpose, lowering the rates of suicide, suicide attempt and substance use in Indian Country. Connectedness can come anywhere: from their self, peers, family, community, and even the natural environment.

WHAT CAN OUR COMMUNITIES DO NOW?

Here are some ways your community can get connected with the youth:

Create

Create support groups that strengthen our youths’ connectedness and belongingness to their family, school, community and tribe.

Promote

Promote closeness, sense of belonging and meaningful interactions with teachers and peers in your schools.

Conduct

Conduct trainings that connect and build networks of helpers.

Develop

Develop and disseminate a guide of formal and informal community resources.

Strengthen

Strengthen family networks to be better able to talk to one another openly about their problems, express their feelings, pass on values and provide affection and praise.

Integrate

Integrate the strengths of Native networks in your community’s response to a suicide death, clusters of suicides or attempts and suicide contagion.

Host

Host events that promote open dialogue and communal problem solving around suicide prevention. Engage grassroots leaders, those with lived experience and loss survivors to build community-level support, opportunities and role models.

Get Connected

Stay up to date with our coalition of experts and be among the first to know about announcements, events and more!