IHS Suicide Prevention Training

Choosing to take care of yourself while you are doing something difficult, like taking this course, is a healthy choice.

Be kind with yourself if you are experiencing difficult feelings. The course is about an extremely sad, difficult topic, and it may remind you of unpleasant memories from your life. Remembering and feeling is natural, and there is nothing wrong with how you feel. 

Your task in this moment—right now, while you are looking at this page—is to find some comfort and relief, and to simply take a short break from unpleasant feelings.

Choose whatever activity seems most helpful from the resources below, and take a restorative break or seek assistance before you continue.

You can do any of these activities, or all of them. 

Native American Music Meditation - 3 min

This meditation has music and a picture to focus on quietly, while you let go of feelings or stress. 

The practice of smudging is common across a number of tribes in North America, and the burning of plants like sage or sweetgrass produces smoke that offers cleansing from negative thoughts for people and places. You are invited to focus on cleansing and release from negative feelings as you sit with this meditation.

Meditation with Words - 1 min

This short meditation lets you follow someone's voice.

Feel free to watch this very short meditation more than once, if you would like to.

Resources for Survivors of Suicide Loss

Many people in Indian Country know someone who has died by suicide. There are special resources for people who are survivors of suicide loss. Download Suicide Prevention Resources for Survivors of Suicide Loss (PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB) to start. It is a list of organizations, websites, and materials that can help people who have lost someone to suicide. Many of these resources were developed by survivors of suicide loss.

Download Resources for Survivors (PDF)

Do You Want to Call Someone?

It may be the right choice to call a resource below, especially if you are working from home or do not have coworkers or others around you to talk to. 

Indian Health Service EAP

The Indian Health Service Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential employee benefit available to eligible federal employees at no cost. 

Call: 800-222-0364

TTY: 888-262-7848 

foh4you.com

24 HOURS A DAY 

988 Lifeline and Other Immediate Services

If you or someone you know is struggling with an emotional or mental health crisis, please contact the National Lifeline at 988. The service is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Help is available. 

Call the National Lifeline at 988 

Chat online at https://988lifeline.org/chat/.

Native Text Services

Texting services are available through the Crisis Text Line by texting NATIVE or INDIGENOUS to 741741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor.

LGBTQ2S Services

Crisis services for LGBTQ2S are available from the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can chat with trained counselors at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/ or text 678678.

Trans Lifeline

The Trans Lifeline is a hotline that supports transgender people in crisis by providing services within the trans community. A trained Crisis Counselor can be reached at 877-565-8860.

Please Seek Help If You Need It

Sometimes, even when help is available, people do not reach out because they feel too frightened, angry, or alone. Make sure that you reach out for help if you want or need it, and take advantage of the resources around you. 

When you feel safe, strong, and resilient, you are in a better position to help others. 

Now, Check In With Yourself Again

You've taken a short break. Perhaps you've called or texted with a support person. Take another deep breath and check in with yourself. How do you feel? Do you feel peaceful and centered enough to return to the course?

You do not need to finish the course in one sitting. You can turn it off and come back later, tomorrow, or next week. Your progress is automatically saved, so there is no need to go back to the course before you are ready.

Returning to the Course

When you are ready to return to the course—whether you feel ready now or later—go to your Dashboard, from the My Dashboard link at the top of the page. Click the course card for Indian Health Service QPR Suicide Prevention Training. Your course will be there, right where you left off. Your course progress is saved automatically.