Mental Health

An overview of RCAP findings about suicide, the extent of occurrence, contributing factors, prevention initiatives, barriers and solutions.

Discusses risk factors and school-based programs that emphasize adaptation to local norms and customs.

Looks at research on suicide and attempted suicide among Canadian Aboriginal peoples, and reviews culturally appropriate interventions.

Findings reveal a higher than average rate affecting adolescents and young adults, with rates among young males increasing.

Looks at the Human Relations Areas Files (HRAF) as a source of data which can be used to show how case studies can test theories of suicide and estimate suicide rates.

Introduction to a special issue that focuses on the high risk of Indigenous youth suicide.

Investigates the suicide mortality between subgroups according to age, gender, cultural context, and traditional Sami core management.

Looks at mental health interventions and promotion as components in suicide prevention.

Comments on suicidal behaviours and prevention strategies.

Shows how the economic, social and cultural environment contributes strongly to risk levels in a community.

Examines the need for culturally appropriate mental health services for the prevention of Aboriginal youth suicide and the importance of positive youth development to foster healthy mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical development.

Study suggests a correlation between increased economic opportunities among First Nation communities and decreased rates of suicide and careless death.

Looks at value where by older people grow up to protect younger people and if it can offer any insight or response to the high rates of suicide among young Aboriginal men.

Looks at prevention and intervention efforts in a community that has successfully lowered its rate of suicide and other self destructing behavior.

Describes common patterns and differences among the populations.

Study found that increasing protective factors was more effective than decreasing risk factors.

Looks at risk factors such as socio-demographic conditions, emotional/behavioural problems, and parent-child relationship.

Out of a survey of 99 Inuit, aged 14-25 years of age, 34% of respondents reported a previous suicide attempt.

Population based study showing trends, associated factors and rates. Shows younger females, single or divorced, with an Aboriginal background and low level of education, were at a higher risk of attempting suicide.

Identifies Indigenous people as being a high risk group for suicide due to socio-economic factors and geographic remoteness.

Data collected from 172 Koori youth living in Melbourne, Australia showed an unfavourable profile for the emotional, social, cultural and behavioural factors.

Looks at links between Indian Residential School attendance, family, and suicidal thoughts and attempts by Aboriginal adults.

Looks at the uses of baseline data obtained from school-based screening surveys.

Looks at finding causes of increased suicide rates in youth and the importance of keeping quality, useful data.

Looks to situate the problems of Aboriginal peoples within the larger context of suicide in Canadian society. "A Report Prepared for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples".

Looks at the results of a study which indicate that some of the relationships between suicide risk and explanatory variables are more complex then they appear. "Position paper for the 5th NRF open Assembly, September 24th-27th 2008", Anchorage, Alaska.

Comments on very high suicide rates in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Examines the root causes of suicide and the impacts on Australian Aboriginal communities.

Reviews levels and types of prevention, major risks and protective factors, and effective elements of suicide prevention programs.

Explores intervention options during the different stages of suicide risk.

Looks at a case illustration of a 16 year-old youth who died by suicide.

Study shows suicide awareness and skills training have proven to be effective early intervention strategies.

Framework identifies the following areas of need: data development, risk factors for youth suicide, evaluation of interventions to prevent youth suicide, suicide prevention services, public information and education, and broader approaches to preventing youth suicide.

Study undertaken over a 17 year period found that the rate in Inuit communities was 20 times higher than the provincial average.

Statistics reveal suicide rates were higher among the indigenous population than the non-indigenous population.

Presents the results of a data collection by health organizations on Te Waipounamu (New Zealand’s South Island). Whānau (families) that were interviewed noted the need for a culturally appropriate approach that included Whānau was needed for not only preventing suicide, but for mental healthcare generally.

Examines the relationship between Aboriginal self-esteem and educational attainment and the connection between the physical, emotional/mental, intellectual and spiritual domain.

Reviews evidence supporting the benefits of sport and recreation programs in linking with traditional culture and creating a healthy community.

Nursing Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Arizona, 2006.

Results of a Pacific community survey that specifically addresses the communities suicide postvention needs.

Educational Psychology and Special Education Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Saskatchewan, 2011.

Examines the results of a Statistics Canada report which concludes that Aboriginal people have major physical and mental health problems.

Summarizes responses from interviews conducted with 7,000 Indigenous residents of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the Chukotka region of Russia.

Survey findings indicate a need for more interdisciplinary team collaboration and tapping local community advantages.

Interactive Arts and Technology Thesis (Ph.D)--Simon Fraser University, 2014