"These conversations are not easy, but are so necessary": The Impact of Suicide On Indigenous Peoples

Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death for Indigenous Peoples.

In this recent video created in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, which takes place each year on the second Monday of October, AFSP Lifesaver Ambassador and Diné scholar charlie amáyá scott, Ph.D. (English pronouns: she/her and they/them), calls attention to the impact of depression and suicide on Indigenous Peoples — and the power of having open, honest, and vulnerable conversations about mental health.

According to a new public perception poll, Indigenous Peoples are more likely than other groups to know someone who has thought about, attempted, or died by suicide, and are more likely to have personally thought about or attempted suicide. For more information, you can visit suicidepreventionnow.org.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has so many necessary and insightful resources that can help make conversations about mental health and suicide a little bit easier and more natural. We encourage you to learn more, including how to start a #RealConvo, by visiting afsp.org/TalkAwaytheDark.

You can follow charlie online through their personal blog, dineaesthetics.com, and on Instagram and TikTok at @dineaesthetics.