‘Day of Healing’ opens discussion of suicide for community

By Clare Jensen

For Puyallup Tribal News
cjensen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: November 27, 2008

It is no secret that American Indians take their own lives at a rate much higher than their non-Indian counterparts.

But from the hushed tones about the topic around the tribal community, one might think it is.

On Nov. 21, a group of speakers and survivors of instances of suicide gathered at the Kwawachee Counseling Center’s (KCC) Spirit House to create support for one another, and to start a dialogue about a reality that has affected all too many families across America.

“We have to stop the silence of suicide,” said tribal member Annette Bryan, who was a guest speaker at the event. Annette Bryan lost her teenage son to suicide in 2006. “Suicide is not a dirty word. It’s an illness and it’s 100 percent treatable. Starting to talk about these things as a community is really important.”

Renee Tinder of the Youth Suicide Prevention Program was also asked to speak at the event. For American Indian youth, the rates of suicide are four times higher than other ethnic groups.

Renee Tinder noted that she sees a clear discomfort related to the topic of suicide in her line of work. “When you walk into a room and mention the word suicide, people get really uncomfortable,” she said. “But if we don’t talk about it, we can’t help people.”

Renee Tinder said that in youth, symptoms of suicide can be very subtle, and 20 percent of all youth who commit suicide show no signs before they act.

“Each week, two youth (in America) commit suicide,” she said. “One in 10 youth attempt suicide in high school, and one in four seriously consider it.

“If we don’t know the signs, we can’t help.”

Warning signs of someone who may consider suicide can range from withdrawal from friends and family, to recklessness and mood change. A list of warning signs compiled by a task force of experts stated increased substance abuse, lack of purpose in one’s life, anxiety, changing sleep patterns, hopelessness, feelings of being trapped, instances of rage, or engaging in risky activities could all be signs of a potential suicide risk.

Annette Bryan noted that she saw many triggers in her son as she reflected on his behavior prior to his death.

The group of speakers also included representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a professor of cross-cultural grieving from University of Washington-Tacoma, and the founder of GriefWorks. They shared their stories and experiences with each other and the group, as well as ways to cope with grief and the loss of a loved one to suicide. Director of KCC and sister to Annette Bryan, Danelle Reed-Inderbitzen, said she hopes this is just the first in an extended community dialogue on the issue. She also noted that routine depression screenings are being worked into physical doctors appointments of all patients at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority in order to catch issues early on.

For more information on suicide, symptoms, or getting help for yourself or a loved one, contact the KCC at (253) 593-0247.

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