It turns out, there’s more to suicide prevention than crisis hotline numbers and inspirational memes. This week, we’re looking at the concept of upstream intervention - because the most effective way to convince someone to live is to help them create a life worth living. We explore the toll of historical trauma for American Indians and Alaska Natives, communities currently experiencing an unprecedented rise in suicide while also coping with some of the highest rates of COVID infection in the country. 

We’re joined by Dr. Billie Jo Kipp of the Blackfeet tribe and Shavaughna Underwood of the Quinault tribe, who both work at the Center for Native American Youth. We also chat with Patrick Kennedy about Mental Health Parity and holding insurance companies accountable. 

Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults. You can find tips, tools and resources for taking care of your emotional health available at: www.jedcares.org/lastday

Resources from the episode:

• Center for Native American Youth 
• Listen to Dr. Donald Warne tell the story of the 3 sisters in his talk “The Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity”
• mental-health-resiliency.html">Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico 
• Indian Health Service resources and tools 
• Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Parity Tracker

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. Contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor anytime. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

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