Community-based Suicide Prevention Research in Remote On-Reserve First Nations Communities

Abstract A challenge in preventing late-life suicide is identifying and responding to persons-at-risk prior to a suicide attempt. Distressed older adults are less likely to turn to a mental health professional, meaning that community-based prevention strategies are vitally important to comprehensive prevention frameworks. Due to their “natural helper” role, nutrition services (NS) volunteers may be well-positioned to identify suicide warning signs and respond accordingly. Unfortunately, there is a lack of systematic, empirically-tested evaluations of the effectiveness of community-based strategies to prevent older adult suicide, including the use of NS volunteers. To remedy this, the authors partnered with several home- and community-based service organizations to measure the impact of training nutrition services volunteers in suicide prevention skills. The authors will present preliminary findings from this federally-funded randomized, controlled trial of suicide prevention training (i.e., ASIST; safeTALK) on late-life suicidality and its correlates.

Download Full-text

Moving alcohol prevention research forward-Part II: new directions grounded in community-based system dynamics modeling

Addiction ◽

10.1111/add.13953 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 113 (2) ◽

pp. 363-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yorghos Apostolopoulos ◽

Michael K. Lemke ◽

Adam E. Barry ◽

Kristen Hassmiller Lich

Keyword(s):

System Dynamics ◽

Alcohol Prevention ◽

Prevention Research ◽

System Dynamics Modeling ◽

Dynamics Modeling ◽

Community Based ◽

New Directions ◽

Forward Part

Download Full-text

Telecommunication and Suicide Prevention: Hopes and Challenges for the New Century

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.2190/om.55.3.e ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 237-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Karolina E. Krysinska ◽

Diego De Leo

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Crisis Intervention ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Prevention Research ◽

Suicide Risk Assessment ◽

Training And Education ◽

Wide Range ◽

Prevention Training ◽

Suicide Prevention Training ◽

Internet Telephone

Development of information technology has created new opportunities and challenges in suicide prevention, research, and clinical practice. This article presents an overview of the wide range of telecommunication-based suicide prevention approaches. Interventions using the Internet, telephone, and videoconferencing are discussed, including crisis intervention, referral, and support, suicide risk assessment, psychotherapy for individuals at risk, and online-based suicide prevention training and education. Research regarding effectiveness of telecommunication-based suicide prevention in various demographic and clinical populations is reviewed, as well as concerns regarding this type of intervention. Future areas of research and development in the use of telecommunication media in prevention of suicide are discussed.

Download Full-text

Indigenous Geographies: Research as Reconciliation

International Indigenous Policy Journal ◽

10.18584/iipj.2017.8.2.2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cindy Smithers Graeme ◽

Erik Mandawe

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

Narrative Analysis ◽

Research Process ◽

Policy Recommendations ◽

Community Based ◽

Working Together ◽

Meaningful Relationships ◽

Indigenous Geographies ◽

Cultural Regeneration ◽

Support Research

Employing a reflexive and co-constructed narrative analysis, this article explores our experiences as a non-Indigenous doctoral student and a First Nations research assistant working together within the context of a community-based participatory Indigenous geography research project. Our findings revealed that within the research process there were experiences of conflict, and opportunities to reflect upon our identity and create meaningful relationships. While these experiences contributed to an improved research process, at a broader level, we suggest that they also represented our personal stories of reconciliation. In this article, we share these stories, specifically as they relate to reconciliatory processes of re-education and cultural regeneration. We conclude by proposing several policy recommendations to support research as a pathway to reconciliation in Canada.

Download Full-text

Old Keyam – A Framework for Examining Disproportionate Experience of Tuberculosis Among Aboriginal Peoples of the Canadian Prairies

International Journal of Indigenous Health ◽

10.18357/ijih91201212392 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Kathleen McMullin ◽

Sylvia Abonyi ◽

Maria Mayan ◽

Pamela Orr ◽

Carmen Lopez-Hille ◽

...

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

Aboriginal People ◽

Qualitative Interviews ◽

Aboriginal Peoples ◽

Community Based ◽

Canadian Prairies ◽

Tuberculosis Transmission ◽

The Social ◽

Interdisciplinary Study ◽

Collaborative Efforts

On the Canadian Prairies, First Nations and Métis peoples are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB) compared to other Canadians. Statistics show enduring transmission and high rates of active TB disease. Despite awareness of the social determinants of TB transmission—such as substance abuse, comorbidities, and basic needs being unmet—transmission and outbreaks continue to occur among Aboriginal people. The Determinants of Tuberculosis Transmission project is a mixed methods, interdisciplinary study that used quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews to look more closely at patients’ experiences of TB. Provincial Network Committees (PNCs) comprised of Elders, traditionalists, community-based TB workers, and health researchers in three participating provinces guided the project from inception through to data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination. The collaborative efforts of the patients, the research team, and the PNCs uncovered a continuing influence of colonization in TB transmission. Overwhelming feelings of apathy and despair for the hold that TB continues to have in the lives of patients, families, and communities is captured by the Cree word “keyam,” which may be translated as “to give up” or to ask, “What is the use?” This paper explores the concept of keyam in relation to TB transmission.

Download Full-text

“Breaking the Silence” to Improve Cancer Survivorship Care for First Nations Peoples

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406918774133 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 160940691877413

Author(s):

Wendy Gifford ◽

Roanne Thomas ◽

Gwen Barton ◽

Viviane Grandpierre ◽

Ian D. Graham

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

First Nations ◽

Cancer Survivorship ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Survivorship Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Community Based ◽

Knowledge To Action

There is a significant knowledge-to-action gap in cancer survivorship care for First Nations (FN) communities. To date, many approaches to survivorship have not been culturally responsive or community-based. This study is using an Indigenous knowledge translation (KT) approach to mobilize community-based knowledge about cancer survivorship into health-care programs. Our team includes health-care providers and cancer survivors from an FN community in Canada and an urban hospital that delivers Cancer Care Ontario’s Aboriginal Cancer Program. Together, we will study the knowledge-to-action process to inform future KT research with Indigenous peoples for improving health-care delivery and outcomes. The study will be conducted in settings where research relations and partnerships have been established through our parent study, The National Picture Project. The inclusion of community liaisons and the continued engagement of participants from our parent study will foster inclusiveness and far-reaching messaging. Knowledge about unique cancer survivorship needs co-created with FN people in the parent study will be mobilized to improve cancer follow-up care and to enhance quality of life. Findings will be used to plan a large-scale implementation study across Canada.

Download Full-text

Decolonizing Health in Canada: A Manitoba First Nation Perspective

10.21203/rs.3.rs-214048/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Eni ◽

Wanda Phillips Beck ◽

Grace Kyoon Achan ◽

Josée G. Lavoie ◽

Kathi Avery Kinew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

First Nations ◽

Primary Healthcare ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Social Research ◽

Shared Vision ◽

First Nation ◽

Indigenous Populations ◽

Community Based ◽

Community Based Research ◽

Indigenous Wisdom

Abstract Background This paper focuses on a longitudinal research program in Manitoba, Canada, by the Innovation Supporting Transformation in Community-Based Research Project (iPHIT) to learn from First Nations across the province that have developed effective community-based primary healthcare models. The research is relevant and timely as First Nations across the country, and Indigenous populations globally, work towards improvements in population health and health equity via critical analysis and restructuring of health services. The purpose of the paper is to deepen an understanding of decolonization as it is defined within the communities, as a central aspect of health restructuring. Methods The study is a qualitative, grounded theory analysis, which is a constructivist approach to social research that allows for generation of theory in praxis, through interactions and conversations between researchers and research participants. Findings are based on 183 in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions with participants from 8 Manitoba First Nation communities. The study was designed to understand strengths, limitations and priorities of primary healthcare strategies and frameworks of the communities. The iPHIT team was an active collaborative partnership between the First Nation communities, First Nation Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, and the University of Manitoba. The First Nation partners led in all aspects of the research, from development to implementation, data collection, analyses, and dissemination. Respected Elders from the communities also guided in appropriate research and engagement protocols. Results Data was coded and then grouped into 4 interconnecting themes. These are: (1) First Nation control of healthcare, (2) traditional medicine and healing activities, (3) full community participation, and (4) moving out of colonization involves cleaning up and moving beyond the mess that colonization has inflicted. Conclusion Decolonizing health involves a taking back of Indigenous wisdom and traditional activities; connections to the land, resources; intra- and inter-community relationships. Participants emphasized the value of full community engagement with respect to inclusion of different interpretations of and experiences in the world, highlighting creation of a shared vision. The study focused on First Nation community experiences and interests in Manitoba specifically, though the data may be applicable to national and global decolonization efforts.

Download Full-text