Preventing and Responding to Suicide Clusters in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Some AI/AN communities have experienced suicide clusters, in which a group of suicides or suicide attempts happen close together in time and space. These suicide clusters are rare and occur almost exclusively among teenagers. This report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides information about suicide clusters and responses in tribal communities and identifies strength-based approaches to prevention and response. The authors begin with background information on the prevalence of suicide among AI/AN populations, a description of suicide clusters, and a discussion of the risk and protective factors for suicide. Next, the authors describe the results of a qualitative study of two communities that experienced suicide clusters: a tribal reservation near Albuquerque, New Mexico and three villages on the Bering Sea coast of Western Alaska. Those communities also provide their perspectives on the resources necessary to prevent and respond to suicide clusters and the barriers to effective response.