Daily HealthBeat Tip

Living on.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Suicide is one of the most tragic events that a family can endure. The suicide of someone young makes the pain yet sharper. And on Indian reservations, rates of suicide, especially among the young, are generally higher than for the rest of the U.S. population.

Researchers and government officials are trying to prevent these deaths and bring healing. The Indian Health Service is reaching for help into Indian culture, bringing native healers to work with IHS caregivers. IHS Director Dr. Charles Grim:

"The traditional healers get very, very involved, as do the faith-based organizations that may happen to be on reservations, and a lot of times the Tribes will look to their elders for support." (eight seconds)

Grim says other people also can help. A program called QPR � for Question, Persuade and Refer � tells how to recognize when someone is considering suicide, how to be forthright enough to ask questions, and where to refer them for help.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August 1, 2005

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