MOVING TOWARDS
A STRONGER FUTURE
Can we find
the
commitment
and the
energy to
make a
contribution?
LINDA CAIRNS
PAGC EMBRACE LIFE
COORDINATOR
RISK FACTORS
 What are “risk factors”?
 Risk factors are those things in a person’s life that might take
them to thinking about suicide.
 The factors vary for every person.
 There are some common themes to look for and to listen for.
RISK FACTOR INFORMATION
 Suicide rates amongst Canada’s Aboriginal people are higher
than those of other Canadians.
 Health Canada (1996) data suggests suicide rates amongst
First Nation males are 2.6 times and for women 4 times
higher than for the Canadian population in general.
 Aboriginal youth are at 5 -6 times greater risk than their non Aboriginal peers
SUICIDE RISK FACTORS
 The literature is clear that being a First Nation, Metis or
Inuit person in and for itself does not pose a risk for
suicide.
 As with all people, context and perception are critical in
determining suicide risk in First Nations, Metis or Inuit
youth.
 The document Choosing Life: Special repor t on Suicide
Among Aboriginal People (1995) indicates that general risk
factors for suicide such as mental illness, life history and
life situations are common to all people.
FIRST NATION, METIS AND INUIT FACE
ADDITIONAL LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT
INCREASE THEIR RISK OF SUICIDE
 Psychobiological factors such as depression and grief,
which are made worse for many by the sheer number of
deaths in small close -knit communities.
 Life history factors including cultural discontinuity,
disruption of families by outside intervention and prevalent
substance use and abuse.
ADDITIONAL LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES
CONTINUED
 Socio-economic factors in which “living conditions are
generally inferior to those of most Canadians. High rates of
poverty, limited employment and education opportunities as
well as deficiencies in sanitation and water quality are part
of the context of the lives of many First Nation, Metis or
Inuit.
 Cultural stress results when people go through a massive,
imposed change. The loss of land, pervasive breakdown of
cultural norms, customs and institutional racism, as well as
loss of identity are some of the stressors experienced by
Aboriginal people since their contact with dominant
cultures.
ADDITIONAL LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES
CONTINUED
 Colonial relations have resulted in damage to all the
elements of First Nation, Metis and Inuit culture, which
define the essence of identity: language, customs, values,
and beliefs. Kirmayer, Brass and Tait (2000) and Mussell
(2002) report these factors are particular to Aboriginal
people. The Health of Of f -Reserve Aboriginal Population
(2002) reports similar findings with respect to overall
health determinants.
FINALLY
 Many First Nations, Metis and Inuit experienced exclusion
from the dominant society and alienation from a traditional
lifestyle. They have “the terrible emptiness of feeling strung
between two cultures and psychologically home to neither.”
(Choosing Life p. 30)
EMERGING THEMES
Loss
Connected to
dislocation; in care,
separation
Social and economic
conditions
Mental Health
concerns
Substance abuse
Two-spirited
Street involved
Homelessness
Exposure to violence
Change
Contact, conquest,
residential schools
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
 What are “protective factors”?
 Protective factors are those things that give troubled
persons reasons for living.
 Protective factors can be active in the individual, family and
community.
CONCLUSIONS
 The purpose of the discussion was to listen to one another’s
point of view and to understand there are many protective
factors.
 The aboriginal youth Rod interviewed identified self-esteem,
connection with others, changing thinking, and cultural
community as the four most significant factors in their
recovery from suicide ideation.
PROTECTIVE FACTORS RESOURCES
 Aboriginal Youth: A Manual of Promising Suicide Prevention
Strategies White and Jodoin (2003)
 http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/assets/promstrat_manual.pdf
 Suicide Among Aboriginal People in Canada
 Aboriginal Healing Foundation Research Series
 http://www.ahf.ca/publications/research -series
 What is Working, What is Hopeful … David Masecar
 http://www.communitylifelines.ca/WhatWorking.htm
CIRCLE OF COURAGE
MARTIN BROKENLEG AND LARRY BENDTRO
The Circle of
Courage is based
upon native values
and the medicine
wheel. The
illustration
incorporates the
medicine wheel as
well as the four
spirits of the Circle
of Courage.
BELONGING: I MATTER
 Resources for basic needs: shelter, food, water, health care.
 Relationship needs: Connection with a variety of people who
are supportive and demonstrate pro social competence.
 Connections with history, culture, customs.
 Belief in something greater than me; spirituality, faith,
religion.
MASTERY: I CAN







Competence
Creativity
Creative Problem Solving
Learn Things
Persevere
Optimistic Outlook
Sense of Humour
INDEPENDENCE:
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE
 I am my own person
 I have initiative and
leadership skills
 I do the right thing
 I have a sense of
purpose
 I ask tough questions
of myself and others
 I have self-discipline.
 I have the ability to
stand away from the
negative behaviours;
to adapt to negative
behaviours by
separating myself
from the high and
unrealistic
expectations of
myself.
 I have influence;
others listen to me.
GENEROSIT Y: I CARE
I care about other people
I contribute to the well-being of
others
I am a role model
I care about myself
I do things to keep me healthy and
safe
MY
ROLE
Take risks;
teambuilding
Grief Recovery,
Education &
Counselling
To listen
To learn
To question
To educate
To suppor t
To work with
communities
To advocate
for a youth
voice.
To encourage.
To celebrate.
To promote,
protect and
preser ve LIF E.
NATIONAL
ABORIGINAL YOUTH
SUICIDE PREVENTION
STRATEGY
NAYSPS
NAYSPS VISION
Youth Identity and Empowerment
Youth Engagement and Leadership
Community Involvement and Traditional
Teachings
Integrated, Holistic and Comprehensive
Program
Crisis Response and Grief Recovery
Education and Awareness
YOUTH IDENTIT Y AND EMPOWERMENT
 Advocate and
encourage youth
involvement and input
 YAC (Youth Action
Council)
 Elder Involvement
 MTSF
 Leadership from the
Heart
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
 Engage community at large
 Focu s on you ng ad u lts
 O p p or tu nities for sk ill b u ild ing
for you th and ad u lts
 YAC form e d in 10 com m u nities
 Ad vocate for cre ation of m ore fu n
and c halle nging volu nte er
op p or tu nities for you th.
 Cre ation of PATH
 Lob by for le ad e r ship su p p or t for
you th involve m ent in all
com m u nity p rogram s.
 Viole nce is the nu m b e r 1 conce rn
of you th. Goal to d e cre ase
viole nce throu gh ACTIO N of all
but YOUTH is par ticular.
COMMUNIT Y INVOLVEMENT &
TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS
 Establish strong youth/adult
p ar tne r ships.
 Involve com m u nity c ham p ions.
 Foste r an e nvironm e nt for
m e ntor ship; b u ild cap acity w ithin
the com m u nities
 Introd u ce M T SF
 A holistic ap p roac h is involve d in
cre ation and d e live r y of all
p rogram s
 Incorp orate he aling
 Good Grief Camp for Youth
 Eld e r s active ly involve d .
 Exp lore histor y and id e ntity as F N
in a re sp e ctfu l way.
 Sp iritu al jou rney invite s he aling
And positive c hange.
INTEGRATED HOLISTIC AND
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
 Developed a network of se r vice s
and p rogram s
 Inte grated holistic ap p roac h in
p lanning and d e live r y
 HOT, Good Grie f Cam p , Grie f
Outreac h, YAC
 Em b race Life p rogram m onitore d
and evalu ated af te r eve r y eve nt
and annu ally.
 Re m ove the stove p ip es (silos) to
address c hange as a community
not on b e half of a p rogram or
age ncy
 Circle of Cou rage p hilosop hy
CRISIS RESPONSE & GRIEF RECOVERY
 PAGC Crisis Response Te am;
se ctor ap p roac h
 Local CRT’s initiate d; cap acity
b u ild ing
 Te am me m b e r s traine d is CISD,
ASIST, M HFA , He aling Circle s, and
Grie f and Loss
 Re sou rce lists for 11
com m u nities com p lete d
 Ne e d of M e ntal Health Therapist
at PAGC
 Full time therapists in e ac h
com m u nity ne e d e d
 Grie f Re cove r y O u tre ac h ongoing
at Holistic We llne ss
 All com m u nitie s have traine d
facilitator s; m ore action re qu ire d
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
 Strategy has been created
 Focuses on prevention,
inter vention and postvention
 Goal to reduce stigma &
lateral violence; and to
increase understanding of
confidentiality
 Exploring creative &
innovative ways to
communicate with youth
 Celebrate and build upon
the strengths
 Increased access to training
for all community members
brings about positive change.
 Support is always needed.
But action and change is up
to the community members
 Training available :ASIST,
safeTALK, suicideTALK,
MHFA, MTSF, HOT, Grief and
Loss, Youth Engagement,
Youth Leadership, Building
Strong Relationships, ….
 Counseling and treatment
available for addictions,
mental health issues and
gambling.
WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE….
Suicide is a
community
problem
that needs
community
ACTION .
WE NEED TO TALK
WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE…
 We need to have a
plan or vision
otherwise we will get
lost …
 The past needs to be
acknowledged
 The present is here
and now
 Plan to make a future
better, different or
more than present
STOP
DOING
WHAT
DOESN’T
BRING THE
DESIRED
RESULTS.
P.A.T.H.
Planning
Alternative
Tomorrows
with Hope
Sustainable change takes patience,
persistence and time.
CHANGE IS
NECESSARY
Many are
resistant
and fear
change; but
a change in
attitude
and habits
can
promote,
preserve
and protect
LIFE.
ENERGY IS
EVERY THING
Energy is
created
through
ACTION.
Positive
change
cannot
happen
without
action.
A safe, vibrant, healthy community
where everyone belongs.
MOBILIZE THE
COMMUNIT Y
Break down the
silos/barriers.
To g et h e r
e v e r yo n e
a c h i ev e s m o r e .
Yo ut h n e e d t o
f e e l t h ey
b e l o ng .
W i t h v s . Fo r
Vo l un te e r i s m
g r ow s s e l f
e s te e m .
I n v o lv e m e n t
r e d uc e s
v i o l e nc e .
COMMUNIT Y DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
 Community Development Strategies must address the
complex nature of suicide in Aboriginal communities by
looking at the following four areas:
 Community Renewal
 Cultural Enhancement
 Traditional Healing Practices
 Interagency Communication and Support.
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF
COMMUNITY RENEWAL?




Community Education
Training in ASIST
Means Restriction
Youth Leadership
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF COMMUNIT Y
EDUCATION?




School
Training
Policy
Climate Improvement
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COULD
TAKE PLACE IN SCHOOLS?




Family involvement
Esteem building
Life Skills
Suicide awareness information
WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF FAMILY
FOCUSED STRATEGIES?
 Asset interview
 Refer page 56 of
What is Working, What is Hopeful…
.
YOUTH NEED…











To be engaged so that their voice can be heard.
To be empowered.
To feel they belong and have purpose within the community
To be taught skills to help themselves and others.
40 Developmental Assets
The opportunity to be responsible and accountable
To learn generosity; serve others…
Support from the leadership
Several mentors..
To mentor others…
A Youth Coordinator in each community
Applied
Suicide
Intervention
Skills
Training
EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ASIST
TRAINED IN SUICIDE works.
FIRST-AID.
CHANGE HAPPENS ONE
PERSON AT A TIME
Each
person
influences
growth in a
family and
each family
influences
growth as a
community.
CHANGE IN ATTITUDE
A
strength
based
approach
creates
healthy
outcomes
CELEBRATE WHAT’S
RIGHT WITH THE WORLD
Are
YOU
ready
to be
the
best
FOR
the
world?
“We live in a world of possibilities
. . . when we believe it,
we’ll see it.”
KEY CONCEPTS:
• Believe it and you’ll see it.
• Recognize abundance.
• Look for possibilities.
• Unleash your energy to fix what’s wrong.
CONTINUED . . .
KEY CONCEPTS:
• Ride the changes.
• Take yourself to your edge.
• Be your best for the world.
BELIEVE IT
AND YOU’LL SEE IT.
• Commit to the results you’re looking for.
• Find ways around obstacles.
• Have high expectations.
RECOGNIZE ABUNDANCE.
• Acknowledge all that you
have to work with.
• Broaden your definition
of winning.
• Look for ways to
work cooperatively
with others.
LOOK FOR POSSIBILITIES.
• Focus on opportunity,
rather than scarcity.
• Find what’s working.
• Keep looking for the
next possible answer.
UNLEASH YOUR ENERGY
TO FIX WHAT’S WRONG.
• Connect with a
positive vision.
• Believe that solutions exist.
• Focus on what is right
with the situation.
RIDE THE CHANGES.
• Realize that change
is possibility.
• Learn to live with
uncertainty, yet
act with confidence.
• Challenge the order
in your life.
TAKE YOURSELF
TO YOUR EDGE.
• Trust yourself and create your own future.
• Follow your edge wherever it goes.
• Move beyond your best.
BE YOUR BEST
FOR THE WORLD.
• Act with service and grace.
• Make a contribution through action.
• Talk about your successes to discover
your dreams.
LOOK FOR
OPPORTUNITIES TO
BUILD SUICIDE SAFER
COMMUNITIES.
Over
the
next
two
days
…
WHAT WILL YOU
CONTRIBUTE?
ACTION IS REQUIRED
NOW
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING
Linda Cairns
3 0 6 - 76 5 - 5 3 0 5
lcairns@pagc.sk.ca