Wednesday March 18, 2009, 1:54 am
HERE IS THE ARTICLE:

WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard testimony Feb. 26 that indicates youth suicide in Indian country continues to be an urgent and pressing crisis, despite new prevention initiatives. Health experts said that more resources and better strategies for reaching troubled Indian youth are required.

American Indians have a suicide rate that is 70 percent higher than that of the general U.S. population, while Native youths have the highest rate of suicide of any group in the nation.

The hearing examined the crisis and sought to assess how the Indian youth suicide prevention programs are working. Health experts said programs are helping, but more resources and some new strategies are required.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide when he was a boy, was among those who testified. He said it is important to break the silence about suicide, which is too often viewed as a taboo subject.

Dana Jetty, a 16-year-old high school student and member of the Spirit Lake Tribe, also provided emotional testimony. She told the committee about losing her 14-year-old sister, Jami, to suicide in November. Jetty noted that her mother was concerned about her sister’s well-being, and “did everything right,” adding that her mother took her sister to doctors, counselors and had her evaluated.

Health experts said that more health care professionals need to be available in Indian communities to help youth cope with problems and receive mental health treatment in their communities.

“We need to go back and read the treaties that signed the federal government up for its obligations,” said Chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. “Right now, health care rationing takes place on every Indian reservation in America. That is shameful.”

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 1:55 am
ONE RESPONSE:

"Senator Dorgan's comments regarding Treaties made with Tribes should be taken and re-read is entirely appropiate.American Indians gave up their land for a Pre-Paid Health Insurance, Prepaid Welfare and Prepaid Education plans. As an Native American woman, Educator/Health Professional, I have seen the consequences of the Post Treaty and the lack of compliance.The Education system has worked very hard not to include American Indian history from the perspective of an Indian.Thanks Senator Dorgan!"

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 4:40 am
Treat the indigenous peoples of this land with the respect and equality they have always deserved...allow them to govern themselves and live as freely as they once did so long ago...and maybe,just maybe,these statistics wouldn't be so damn high.The youth of this nation have enough trouble trying to find themselves in this mad world of ours.Add to that a lack of opportunity and self-worth and it's pretty much a no-brainer.Many of them feel they have no other option.

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 4:53 am
I support Native Americans having choice & access to the same Health Care as I do for all people.

At the same time, I believe much of this problem stems from the purposeful destruction of Indigenous Cultures. It may be just as important, therefore, to restore lands,sovereignity, self-determination, traditions and language, as to rush in with the dominant American culture's dubious ways of dealing with non-acute illnesses.

There is much soul sickness in this world. Little wonder that the children of the keepers of the Earth feel it so keenly !

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 9:05 am
Those who know me know this issue is personal and DEEPLY important for me. I cannot bear suicides of ANY persons!!!!!

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 9:52 am
By sending to Psychiatrists and getting medication is the worst thing a person can do, they enlarge the problem and the drugs mask the symptoms, the withdrawl symptoms are suicidal thoughts which defeat the purpose and leave no positive statistic.
Vitamins, exercise and plenty of rest. But one must include a purpose for living! A cause of getting their people out of poverty maybe? I agree with Pamylle, they need to feel their culture.

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 4:45 pm
This is just horrific. Our native americans were born here and are citizens of the US. They didn't cross the border to receive health care, housing, food, jobs, etc. The native americans are our people and the US should be taking care of them instead of illegal immigrants. Shame and the US for not recognizing this. These are our people and as such it is their God given right to health care, housing, jobs, food, shelter, etc. Shame on our country for treating our own people this way. Where is the equality in this?

Wednesday March 18, 2009, 7:53 pm
I applaud Mr. Dorgan!

We have a similar problems here in Arizona. Drugs, alcohol, poverty, lack of opportunities - it just wears them down. So sad.

Thursday March 19, 2009, 7:43 am
Noted

Thursday March 19, 2009, 11:09 am
No wonder there is a high sucide rate. There is not much for the teens on reservations to look forward to. We need to start really looking at this problem and providing answers as a nation.
I agree that the Native Americans should be getting the health care before any alien, or green card holder or person even who has recently become a citizen. Native Americans were here first and should be given first rights to care.

Thursday March 19, 2009, 4:31 pm
14, she was just a baby, but the country has pushed the Native American people into the gutter, how can they take back the pride they had stolen, knowing that their proud leaders who fought for their rights and their freedom are still depicted as savages bent on murdering the white man?
the percentage of suicide is so high! if America isn't the most shameful country on the planet, then it is high up on that list. this progressive, hah makes me laugh, country is nothing but holding onto the old ways of repression.

Friday March 20, 2009, 3:48 pm
As a social worker I counselled people for suicide. For teens and adults sometimes they just can't get up from the bottom. Let along live on a rez. with a country that only pushes you down farther.