Decoloniality as a Framework for Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention Pedagogy: Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide. Issue 3 (18th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trout, Lucas; McEachern, Diane; Mullany, Anna; White, Lauren; Wexler, Lisa
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 62:Issue 3/4(2018)
• Page Start: 396
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2018-12-18
• Subjects: Decolonial -- Decolonizing community education -- Alaska Native -- Suicide -- Indigenous mental health; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: Indigenous youth suicide remains a substantial health disparity in circumpolar communities, despite prevention efforts through primary health care, public health campaigns, school systems, and social services. Innovations in prevention practice move away from expert‐driven approaches to emphasize local control through processes that utilize research evidence, but privilege self‐ determined action based on local and personal contexts, meanings, and frameworks for action. "Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide" is a community health intervention that draws on networks of Indigenous health educators in rural Alaska, who host learning circles in which research evidence is used to spark conversations and empower community members to consider individual and collective action to support vulnerable people and create health‐promoting conditions that reduce suicide risk. The first of nine learning circles focuses on narratives of local people who link the contemporary youth suicide epidemic to 20th century American colonialism, and situates prevention within this context. We describe the theoretical framework and feasibility and acceptability outcomes for this learning circle, and elucidate how the educational model engages community members in decolonial approaches to suicide prevention education and practice, thus serving as a bridge between Western and Indigenous traditions to generate collective knowledge and catalyze community healing. Highlights: This study examines narrative linkages between Alaska Native youth suicide and colonial violence. Alaska Natives linked youth suicide to culture loss, social suffering, and rapid social change. Innovations in prevention practice call for decolonial and community‐based approaches. PC CARES utilizes decolonial pedagogy to support self‐determined prevention practicein rural AK. Participants expressed collective strength and aspirations to lead suicide prevention practice.