Culture and Sharing is a Cure for Suicide

THUNDER BAY – “Out of the box and into the circle”, stated Darien Thira. This week, Darien Thira was hosting a workshop in Thunder Bay at Dilico. The goal was helping to spread the word that there is a cure for the epidemic of suicide on Canada’s First Nations communities.

Theri states that, “Aboriginal youth, living on a reserve are six times more likely to die by suicide than their non-native peers”.

The youth, Thira says, “Share a sense of isolation, a shortage of healthy role models, prejudice from others, and often themselves, and a lack of resources. It makes sense that their suicide rate is so high”.

The Cure for Suicide – Completing the Circle

“The traumatic impact of historical and cultural losses on Aboriginal people has led to the significantly increased suicide rate in some communities. Youth living on reserves are most at risk.”

One of the interesting contrasts, is that Theri says that Aboriginal Elders have traditionally had a much lower rate of suicide than non-native senior citizens. “In communities where Elders receive: (1) Care for their wellbeing, (2) Respect for their wisdom and experience, (3) A meaningful community role, and (4) have the opportunity to serve as cultural and/or spiritual guides, the Elder suicide rate is very low”.

Completing the circle, Theri says is a key to curing suicide.