fbpx
 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer signed a proclamation on Sunday, recognizing Sept. 6-12, 2020 as “Navajo Nation Suicide Prevention Week.”

The designated days coincide with National Suicide Prevention Week and with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.

“Our administration recognizes the mental health needs of many of our people, including our young Navajo people. The Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services continues to help many of our people, but we need to do more. It starts with healing among families. There are far too many young people losing hope at a young age. Parents and grandparents have the challenging responsibility to instill good values, teachings, and confidence in our children at a young age. We will continue to do everything we can to help families and young people who suffer from modern day monsters like depression, suicide, and other issues that often lead to people taking their own lives,” Nez said. 

Nez recognized that this year has been particularly difficult on many Navajo Nation citizens, who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, the Navajo Nation reported 9,900 positive cases and 523 deaths since March 17, when the nation began reporting COVID-19 cases.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our people. By having to shelter-in-place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we know that many people are dealing with their issues at home and some are even taking the opportunity to heal their families using the time spent at home during this pandemic. We have heard stories of families reconciling, coming together, and strengthening their relations during this challenging time. We pray and continue to work toward helping more families become stronger and to revitalize the teachings of our elders,” Nez added.

According to Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services, suicide is the seventh leading cause of death on the Navajo Nation, and American Indian communities experience higher rates of suicide compared to all other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

According to the National Indian Council on Aging, American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience higher rates of suicide compared to all other racial and ethnic groups in the United States, with suicide being the eighth leading cause of death for Native Americans across all ages. For Native youth ages 10 to 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death, and the Native youth suicide rate is 2.5 times higher than the overall national average, making these rates the highest across all ethnic and racial groups.

The Nez-Lizer Administration continues to support the “Building Communities of Hope” initiative to empower individuals, families and communities and to restore hope, self-sufficiency and determination through comprehensive suicide prevention strategies. Building Communities of Hope was initiated in November 2015 when President Nez served as the Vice President of the Navajo Nation. The initiative aims to provide services in schools, universities and communities on and off the Navajo Nation. 

"In this COVID-19 pandemic it's important to seek help for yourself or others, we can all do our part to prevent suicide. Learn about suicide warning signs and symptoms to help someone today or in the future,” Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim said.

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President recognizes public awareness is key to preventing loss of life by suicide and remains committed to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. The Navajo Nation supports the efforts of its Divisions, Departments, and Programs as advocates for life by promoting resiliency, culture, traditional values, faith, and providing public education and direct services with the understanding that these efforts will create avenues to reduce the number of suicides.

More Stories Like This

Oklahoma Legislature Overrides Governor Stitt’s Veto of Native Regalia Bill
Native Bidaské with Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire on the Opioid Crisis
Tohono O’odham Citizen Shot and Killed by U.S. Border Patrol; FBI Investigating
Louisiana Loses a Visionary Native American Leader as Ernest Sickey Walks On at 80
First Lady Jill Biden Highlights Broadband Expansion to Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

Native News is free to read.

We hope you enjoyed the story you've just read. For the past dozen years, we’ve covered the most important news stories that are usually overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM), to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools.

Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps.  Most readers donate between $10 and $25 to help us cover the costs of salaries, travel and maintaining our digital platforms. If you’re in a position to do so, we ask you to consider making a recurring donation of $12 per month to join the Founder's Circle. All donations help us remain a force for change in Indian Country and tell the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked.

Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you. 

About The Author
Native News Online Staff
Author: Native News Online StaffEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].