Friday, March 7, 2025 – Regional improvement in suicide statistics is hopeful sign

Tribal and state public health efforts in New Mexico are credited with cutting the Native American suicide rate in that state by 43% over a year’s time. It’s even more notable in that the percent reduction is more than five times that of the rest of the population. There are still troubling statistics, including a study that shows Native American young people at most risk. We’ll hear from suicide prevention experts about where problems persist and what is being done to offset them. GUESTS Shelby Rowe (Chickasaw), executive director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center Dr. Deidre Yellowhair (Diné), research assistant professor in the division of community behavioral health for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of New Mexico Lynette Hepa (Iñupiaq), director of the department of health and social services for the North Slope Borough Amanda WhiteCrane (Northern Cheyenne), director of the Native & Strong Lifeline with the Volunteers of America Western Washington   Break 1 Music: Healing Song (song) Judy Trejo (artist) Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone (album) Break 2 Music: Nîmihito (Dance) [Feat. Northern Cree] (song) Sultans of String (artist)