It takes a village to prevent suicide.

PC CARES hosts school (virtually) and community learning circles that offer new ideas for suicide prevention and wellness, so people can have thoughtful conversations about what works for their communities and lives and how they can take action in meaningful ways within their social and geographic context.

Esther Green wearing a floral pink and white shirt with a vest and jeans, sitting in the grass in front of a bright blue sky with clouds.
“We never spoke of suicide, and now it’s time.”
— Esther Green, Yup'ik Elder

Suicide Prevention Learning circles

LC1: Context & youth development

A hunting party in eight boats out on the sea with ice in the horizon

Alaska Native and Inuit youth suicide was rare in the past, and now it is way too common. Rates of suicide have increased since the 1960’s, when the effects of colonization took hold in Alaskan communities. This learning circle allows us to reflect on the larger context of suicide in our community, and examines the positive youth development framework along with what youth say helps them get through tough times.

 

LC2: Support for youth

Blue sky and green valley and hills, reflected in a lake.

Youth and adults in Northwest Alaska were asked what they think will best prevent suicide. While adults’ responses focused on providing programs and opportunities to you, many youth simply said, “talk to us.”

We can all listen to better support the young people in our lives. “Listening for wellness” means showing acceptance and openness, without interrupting, giving advice, or trying to cheer someone up. Listening well also means reflecting back what you heard and asking open-ended questions.

 

LC3: Prevention

Pink, orange, and blue sunset on lake with mountains in the horizon.

Suicide is often impulsive. If you can make it 10 minutes harder to take suicidal action, you can save a life. Time matters! One of the most important first steps if you are worried about someone is to make sure they cannot easily get a loaded gun. Research shows that making one’s home safer by keeping bullets located separately from guns and both locked away can prevent suicide.

Small, non-demanding acts and messages of kindness can also reduce risk. For example, “I am thinking of you and I want you to know I care.”

 

LC4: Grief and healing

Snow covered trees in front of a bright blue sky.

After a suicide happens, everyone—especially young people—are at higher risk for suicide. Families, communities, and institutions can talking safely about what happened to decrease risk. Talking safely about suicide means sharing only the basic facts, rather than talking about how or why someone killed themselves.

Grief after a suicide can take longer to heal from and be more complicated. Everyone experiences grief differently. Giving youth and adults a non-judgmental place to talk about what they’re feeling (for example, a support group) helps healing.

 

LC5: Review and next steps

Water running over rocks in a creek, trees with green and orange leaves on the river bank

During the last LC, we review and reflect on what we learned—from research and from each other.

As a group, we decide: HOW SHOULD WE MOVE FORWARD? This could include celebrating and sharing what has already be learned and accomplished, selecting a key area or priority on which to focus efforts, or repeating the PC CARES process with different people or groups attending (for example, dads, teachers, etc.).