Suicide rates among New Mexico Native Americans dropped 43% in 2022–2023.
SANTA FE, N.M.-According to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), suicide rates among the state's Native American population dropped by 43% during 2022 to 2023.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, American Indians and Alaska Natives experience suicide rates that are 91% higher than the general population. In New Mexico, home to 23 federally recognized tribes, from 2009 to 2018, suicide rates among the Indigenous population climbed nearly 56 percent..
During 2022 to 2023, besides the 43 percent suicide decrease among Native populations, the state saw an overall decline in suicide rates of 9 percent in the general population and a 42 percent decrease among women. Some analysts feel the decrease in Native suicides is at least partially a result of tribal and state initiatives, including culturally focused mental health care programs.
Analysts say these elevated rates stem from systemic abuses Native communities have faced for generations. They say genocide, forced assimilation, and broken treaty promises have left tribal nations with significant health disparities and limited infrastructure to deal with resulting mental health issues..
In 2011, repeated suicide deaths, known as suicide clusters, involving Native youth were happening in communities. To combat the problem, New Mexico passed a set of bills to create Native American-focused suicide prevention resources. The program, housed at UNM and called "Honoring Native Life," worked with tribal leadership and community members to tailor the program's resources to each tribe's needs.
"Lack of culturally appropriate resources that really speak to community members, intergenerational families-those things feed into some of the suicide rates," Dr. Diedre Yellowhair, an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, told Native News Online. She says that as tribal communities focus more on their resilience, strength and rich cultures, this improves the lives of Native Americans.
In 2022, New Mexico state launched 988, a crisis support line that was advertised through culturally appropriate promotion materials for the crisis line.
Some analysts also think the improved statistics may reflect more willingness in Native communities to talk about mental health and suicide.
"Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting effects on communities," said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. "Preventing suicide requires many strategies, but everyone can help by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and working to foster healthy connections and safe environments."
According to the National Council for Suicide Prevention, risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely a person will attempt or die by suicide. They include:
• Alcohol and other substance use disorders.
• Mental illnesses.
• History of trauma or abuse.
• Family history of suicide.
• Easy access to lethal means.
• Stigma or a sense of isolation associated with asking for help.
The National Council references the following protective factors:
Accessible and affordable physical and behavioral health care.
• Connection to school, community and social institutions.
• Close relationships.
• Access to healthy meals.
• Reduced access to lethal means.
• Suicide Prevention Trainings.
