Youth Suicide Action Team "Daughter-Spirit"

Early in 2007 NWAC began youth focus groups on suicide prevention as a way of researching around suicide and its effect on young Aboriginal girls. Through these focus groups NWAC is finding that youth feel disconnected from their communities, cultures and even themselves. The youth feel a lack of support in their communities, leading to depression, isolation, desperation and hopelessness. Many of the youth interviewed feel that by being able to take part in their futures and getting the support they need in all areas of health - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - they can succeed and see suicide rates diminish. 

As a result of these discussions NWAC is continuing its work with National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS) in coordination with First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) and is developing a youth specific suicide prevention pilot community development project by the end of 2007/8 fiscal year. This project would be based on the findings provided in the  regional focus groups and enable the pilot community to move towards FNIHB’s larger Mental Health Promotion strategy through capacity building, team training and the creation of 3 Mental Health Promotion activity models driven by youth. Through our partnerships with our PTMAs and Youth Council, NWAC will be able to act as mentors in capacity building and community development. The pilot community development project in one of our YC regions will meet the requirements as outlined in the NAYSPS framework representing primary prevention and some knowledge development. 

NWAC will facilitate from the national level by overseeing and attending meetings with the “Youth Action Team” created in the region of one of our YC members. This Youth Action Team will work throughout the fiscal year to strategize around 3 possible Mental Health Promotion activity models they could conduct in their community. These Mental Health Promotion activity models would be tailored to specifically meet the needs of female Aboriginal youth and be created by female Aboriginal youth. NWAC will aid this group in obtaining suicide prevention training and applying for Mental Health Promotion funding which will in turn increase capacity in their community.  

For more information please contact the A/Team Lead of Communications and Education, Joshua Kirkey, 613.722.3033 ext. 231 or 1.800.461.4043.

CBC Radio Interview - Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Training