Suicide Stories Part 3: The Spirit Still Lives
Although teen suicide attempts have declined gradually since the 1990s, death by suicide has risen 8 percent among teenagers, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, it's the third leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 and 19. While each suicide is a unique story, there is a common thread: More than 90 percent of teens who kill themselves show signs of major depression or another mental illness in the year prior to their deaths. Once treatment begins, however, the risk of suicide declines dramatically.
This three-part video series takes an inside look at the tragedy of teen depression and suicide -- and explores what parents, kids, communities, and mental health advocates can do to help prevent it.
Part 3: The Spirit Still Lives
Native American teens have a higher risk of suicide than any other group. Native youth come from communities on rural reservations and in cities, which are plagued by alcoholism, drug abuse, violence, and poverty. They also have rich cultural traditions to draw upon, including pow wows, naming ceremonies, and sweat lodges. Find out why mental health experts are saying access to traditional Native American healing practices may go a long way in treating depression and preventing suicide in Native American teens.