Honoring Native Life

In 2011, the New Mexico Legislature passed an act to form the Clearinghouse for Native American Suicide Prevention. The Clearinghouse was designed to provide culturally appropriate suicide prevention assistance to New Mexico’s Native American individuals, families and tribes, nations and pueblos.

The name of the Clearinghouse was changed to “Honoring Native Life” after stakeholders believed that it would be more culturally relevant. Shortly thereafter, Honoring Native Life created a statewide youth council to provide a forum for youth to develop leadership and advocacy skills, and to explore and promote policies in their communities. Throughout the years, Honoring Native Life has hosted several statewide summits, bringing together hundreds of people including: Youth, tribal leadership and partners, and behavioral health staff to discuss important issues such as community readiness, crisis response planning, and suicide prevention practices.

In 2013, the New Mexico State Legislature created the Native American Suicide Prevention Advisory Council NASPAC (SB 447). The Advisory Council consists of 10 members who are appointed by Tribe, Nation, and Pueblo leadership as well as the University of New Mexico. Per New Mexico Statutes Chapter 9, the NASPAC, “…shall assist in developing policies, rules and priorities for the New Mexico clearinghouse for Native American suicide prevention.”

Honoring Native Life is housed at the University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Community Behavioral Health.

National Resources for Suicide Prevention

There are several excellent national suicide prevention websites with helpful tool kits and other resources that are free and available for your use.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center  
A national resource center to advance the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  
National resource with local chapters for those affected by suicide

Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices 
Contains tools, information, and resources to implement suicide prevention practices and overcome barriers to treating suicidal patients in the primary care setting.

Mental Health First Aid Training
A skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.

Question, Persuade, Refer Training
Training on the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide.

988 Lifeline

Indian Health Services – Suicide Prevention

Bureau of Indian Education – Suicide Prevention

The Center for Native American Youth

CDC Tribal Suicide Prevention

Zero Suicide - Best and Promising Practices for the Implementation of Zero Suicide in Indian Country Toolkit

Centers for Disease Control Suicide Prevention

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention - Hope for a New Day Toolkit

New Mexico-Specific Resources

There are several excellent suicide prevention resources specific to New Mexico that are free for your use.

New Mexico Access and Crisis Line 
24/7 crisis line staffed with mental health providers and peers

Agora Crisis Center  
Crisis line affiliated with University of New Mexico 

Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center  
Information about research, surveillance and training to improve the quality of life of American Indians.

Albuquerque Area Indian Health Services 
Information about Indian Health Services Albuquerque Area that provides health services to tribal groups. The Area serves 20 Pueblos, two Apache bands, three Navajo Chapters, and two Ute tribes across four Southwest states.