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March 13, 2006 - Sen. Dorgan, D-N.D., introduced a bill to assist tribes in the fight against suicide among American Indian youth
WASHINGTON - Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., has introduced a bill that would assist tribes in the fight against suicide among American Indian youth.
The new legislation, titled Indian Youth Telemental Health Demonstration Project Act of 2006, would establish a demonstration project with the use of telecommunications to assist in psychotherapy, provide education and counseling for individuals.
The demonstration project will allow five tribal programs or organizations to apply for grants. The tribes and organizations applying must have telehealth capabilities, according to Dorgan's bill.
The grantees would provide mental health services through telecommunication technology for youth counseling for suicide prevention, intervention and treatment. Medical advice and other assistance to providers would be included with training for tribal members, elected officials, tribal educators and health workers, or anyone who deals with youth directly. The teleconferencing will originate with the Department of Health and Human Services' mental health division.
Culturally sensitive information will be available as part of the training and counseling process.
Suicide rates among youth aged 14 - 25 in Indian country are three times higher than the national average. In the Plains, mental health officials claim that the suicide rate is five to seven times higher among all residents. Where Indian country suicide rates are concerned, the Plains region is 10 times higher, data prove. Read more.