Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

Disaster Recovery | Suicide Preparedness and Response | Traditional Healing in Disaster Behavioral Health Response | Working with Tribal Cultures

Disaster Recovery

Indian Country Child Trauma Center. (n.d.). What is trauma? A guide for parents. Retrieved from Indian Country Child Trauma Center website on March 13, 2010, http://www.icctc.org/what%20is%20trauma-revised.pdf [PDF - 236 Kb] 

This pamphlet describes common trauma and disaster reactions for children based on age group. It has been adapted to be appropriate for tribal communities.

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Suicide Preparedness and Response

American Association of Suicidality. (2003). SOS: A handbook for survivors of suicide. Retrieved from http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=229&name=DLFE-73.pdf [PDF - 272 Kb] 

This handbook is designed for individuals who lost a loved one to suicide. It explores the emotions loved ones face in the aftermath of suicide, as well as the stages of grief they may experience.

Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council. (2006). After an attempt: The emotional impact of a suicide attempt on families. Retrieved from http://www.co.oswego.ny.us/mental/suicide/after%20an%20attempt%20families.pdf [PDF - 352 Kb] 

This booklet is for families who are recovering from a suicide attempt. It includes information regarding the emotional impact from returning from the hospital to several months following the attempt.

National Aboriginal Health Organizations. (2005). Assessment and planning tool kit for
suicide prevention in First Nations communities.

Retrieved from http://www.ihs.gov/nonmedicalprograms/nspn/file/assessmentandplanningtoolkitforsuicideprevention-aug12.pdf [PDF - 1.09 Mb]

One Sky Center. (2006). A guide to suicide prevention for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Retrieved from http://www.oneskycenter.org/documents/AGuidetoSuicide PreventionDRAFT.pdf [PDF - 2.88 Mb] 

This guidebook was designed to help tribal communities learn more about suicide and create a response plan for their community. The guidebook is meant for tribal and community leaders, schools, religious institutions, mental health agencies, law enforcement, and other organizations or individuals who desire to address this issue.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2008). Suicide among American Indians/Alaska Natives. Retrieved from http://www.sprc.org/library/ai.an.facts.pdf [PDF - 69 Kb] 

This fact sheet gives details on various suicide statistics among American Indians and Alaska Natives, including youth suicide rates, cultural considerations, and protective factors.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). To live to see the great day that dawns: Preventing suicide by American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults (HHS Publication No. SMA (10)-4480). Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from http://www.sprc.org/library/ Suicide_Prevention_Guide.pdf [PDF - 6.91 Mb] 

This guidebook is designed to assist tribal communities and behavioral health professionals with suicide prevention among Native youth.

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Traditional Healing in Disaster Behavioral Health Response

Gilberg, J., Nevilles-Sorell, J., Olson, T., Rock, B., Skye, B., St. George, R., & Ybanez, V. (2004). Using alternative healing ways. Retrieved from http://mshoop.org/manual-pdf/Sexual%20Assault%20Advocacy%20Guide.pdf [PDF – 29 Kb  

This tip sheet offers general knowledge about using alternative healing methods within tribal communities.

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Working with Tribal Cultures

BigFoot, D.S. (1998). Upon the back of a turtle... A cross cultural curriculum for federal criminal justice personnel. Cultural considerations. Retrieved from http://www.icctc.org/cultural%20considerations.pdf [PDF - 69 Kb] 

This guide offers cultural factors to be aware of when working with Native communities and Native children.

BigFoot, D.S., Bonner, B.L., & Braden, J. (2007). Trauma in Native children. Indian Country Child Trauma Center. Retrieved from http://www.icctc.org/Trauma%20in%20Native%20Children-factsheet.pdf [PDF - 78 Kb] 

This fact sheet provides statistical information on trauma and children in Indian Country.

Cutler, M. (2008). Multigenerational trauma: Behavior patterns in cultures.
Retrieved from http://edweb.boisestate.edu/instituteforthestudyofaddiction/pp/Historical_Trauma_and_Grief.ppt [PPT - 495 Kb]

This presentation covers multigenerational trauma and the corresponding behavioral health patterns seen in Native communities and tribal populations.

Grant, J., & Brown, T. (2003). American Indian and Alaska Native resource manual. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Multicultural_Support1/Fact_Sheets1/ Outreach_Manuals/American_Indian_Manual_03.pdf [PDF - 3.7 Mb] 

This handbook provides information on working with tribal communities in a culturally appropriate way, as well as outreach to these communities.

Indian Country Child Trauma Center. (n.d.). Trauma in Indian Country: A guide for professionals. Retrieved from http://www.icctc.org/Trauma%20in%20Indian%20Country-revised.pdf [PDF - 219 Kb] 

This pamphlet provides information on manifestations of trauma in Indian Country and how professionals can help.

Sabin, C., Benally, H., Bennett, S.K., & Jones, E. (n.d.). Walking in beauty on the red road: A holistic cultural treatment model for American Indian & Alaska Native adolescents and families. Program description and clinical manual. Retrieved from http://www.chestnut.org/li/downloads/ Manuals/Shiprock-Walking_In_Beauty_on_the_Red_Road.pdf [PDF - 378 Kb] 

This comprehensive manual describes a holistic approach to working with Native adolescents and families, including integration of Native and western substance abuse approaches, traditional healing methods, and working with tribal populations.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Culture card: A guide to build cultural awareness, American Indian and Alaska Native (HHS Publication No. SMA (08)-4354). Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA08- 4354/SMA08-4354.pdf [PDF - 1.04 Mb]

This guide is intended to serve as a general briefing to enhance cultural competence while providing services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

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