First Native crisis hotline in the country opens in WA state, how you can receive help
Washington state has created the first crisis line in the United States specifically for American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, connecting them with Native crisis counselors in times of crisis.
The new crisis hotline program, Washington’s Native and Strong Lifeline, was announced by the Washington State Department of Health in a Nov. 17 press release.
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native people had the highest suicide rates in 2020 in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“American Indians suffer from higher rates of suicide and mental health crises stemming from intergenerational trauma caused by the aggressive assimilation efforts of the federal government and religious institutions. We applaud the Washington State Department of Health’s recognition of these challenges and of the need for our people to receive culturally appropriate care in times of crisis,” stated Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, in the press release.
The lifeline will be operated by the Volunteers of America Western Washington, one of Washington’s 988 crisis lifelines that allow residents to dial 988 to reach suicide and crisis support.
Calls to Washington’s Native and Strong Lifeline will be answered by Native crisis counselors who are tribal members and descendants who have been “fully trained in crisis intervention and support, with special emphasis on cultural and traditional practices related to healing,” according to the press release.
“I chose to work for Native and Strong because suicide rates in Indian country are incredibly high and I want to remind my people that resilience is instilled into them. We, as the clinicians, get to be the voice many of us needed to hear. If I can save a life with a conversation, then I am happy to talk to as many people as I can,” said Heaven Arbuckle, from Tulalip, in the press release announcement.
This story was originally published November 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "First Native crisis hotline in the country opens in WA state, how you can receive help."
