Honouring Life Network targets Aboriginal youth

Jasine Dennis is a front line worker with the Eskasoni Community Health Centre in Nova Scotia. In the two years she has served as a registered nurse in that community, located 75 km west of Sydney, she has faced the issue of youth suicide.
And that's not unusual. The overall First Nations youth suicide rate is five to seven times higher than the national rate for Canadian youth and the suicide rate among Inuit youth is up to 11 times higher than the national average, and the highest in Canada.
The newest tool in a combined federal government-National Aboriginal Health Organization five-year strategy to prevent youth suicide has Dennis thrilled.
"I think it's awesome," she said about the recently launched Honouring Life Network Web site. "More tips, something anyone can have access to, is great."
The launching of the Web site falls in the middle of the five-year $65 million National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy which kicked off in early 2006.
The Honouring Life Network is targeted at both Aboriginal youth and suicide prevention workers in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. The site is readily available in English, French and Inuktitut.
"The Web site is dynamic and interactive and contains resources for youth and youth workers, including a Youth Worker's Forum where youth workers from across the country can connect to discuss and share suicide prevention resources and strategies," said Paul Spendlove, media relations officer for Health Canada.
"I always find the Internet helpful. It's where I go to get information," said Dennis, who anticipates tapping into the youth worker's forum as well as the resource centre on the site. Dennis has also received youth suicide prevention training from NAHO.
The Honouring Life Network also hosts a youth corner. "This new and innovative suicide prevention resource for Aboriginal youth was developed by Aboriginal youth to provide positive examples of how to cope with suicide-related issues," notes Spendlove.
Personal stories are part of the youth stream. The River of Life is a short piece contributed by a youth identified only as Richard. He writes, "I still recall the day when I stood beside a mighty river, ready to jump into it, hoping that it would drown me and take my life. When the water surrounded my feet I could feel the power of the current wanting to pull me into its darkness. I could hear the voice of the night telling me I should just end my life right here. That night, another part of me started to sing. It was singing the tune of life and that part of me wanted to live. Secretly, I did not want to die. Thankfully, when I stood there thinking about ending my life, I did not follow through with it. I realized that I have a chance to change my life. I began to see that I can make a life out of the life I am given. Even though there are hard times in life and even though there are challenging days, I know that I want to live. Today I am grateful to be alive. Today if I am going to jump into a river, I make sure it's not a river that leads to death, but a river that leads to life."
The federal departments of Health and Indian and Northern Affairs joined forces with NAHO to launch the Web site in early April.
In a news release, health minister Tony Clement stated, "Suicide among Aboriginal youth is an urgent matter. I am very proud that the Government of Canada has funded this innovative tool that will help First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth rediscover the joy of life, and let them know that there are resources available to help them through difficult times."
NAHO chief executive officer Paulette Tremblay classified suicide as a "grave problem" and said the Web site would be "an invaluable tool for those working to prevent suicides in our communities."
The Honouring Life Network Web site stemmed from a joint working group of the Indian Health Service in the United States and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada.
The Web site is only one of approximately 140 community-based projects funded across the country under the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Health Canada said the strategy is expected to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors through community-based initiatives, it is expected to strengthen crisis response, create more awareness about mental health promotion, public education and increase more awareness and provide information about suicide prevention.
The Web site can be accessed at www.honouringlife.ca.