Kathleen Little Leaf – Suicide Prevention Basics
I found the suicide warning signs a wealth of importation. The verbal and behavioral signs as well as acute and protective factors I am familiar with but it was a nice refresher in the I area. I feel far too often we forget these factors or tend to overlook them. It was nice to be able to print these as well as reference. ~LCPC Attendee
“Native American Cultural Sensitivity for Suicide Prevention” Workshop
The introduction to concepts of “ritual” and the metaphor of the “wheel” provided for an easy transition to a more detailed review of Native American “culture”. Ms. Little Leaf was careful to emphasize the differences between “tribal” groups, demythologizing the universal “Indian” stereotype. Culture was examined in terms of traditional values and resultant behaviors, the importance of language and song, and the negative impact on those unique values and their expression through colonizing efforts to irradicate Native American culture and force assimilation. The question germane to decolonization efforts across the United States was expressed in what can be heard as either a mournful plea, or an angry condemnation: “What Happened to Us?” The subsequent overview provided details that substantiate the identification of intentional genocide. The multi-generational impact of abuse, neglect and loss predictably results in an Historical Trauma Response in many Native Americans. Only the holistic therapeutic response described could be effective in facilitating healing and empowering personal and communal development. I am very grateful for this valuable training experience. It will serve me well in my educational and counseling responsibilities. Thank you very much!The introduction to concepts of “ritual” and the metaphor of the “wheel” provided for an easy transition to a more detailed review of Native American “culture”. Ms. Little Leaf was careful to emphasize the differences between “tribal” groups, demythologizing the universal “Indian” stereotype. Culture was examined in terms of traditional values and resultant behaviors, the importance of language and song, and the negative impact on those unique values and their expression through colonizing efforts to irradicate Native American culture and force assimilation. The question germane to decolonization efforts across the United States was expressed in what can be heard as either a mournful plea, or an angry condemnation: “What Happened to Us?” The subsequent overview provided details that substantiate the identification of intentional genocide. The multi-generational impact of abuse, neglect and loss predictably results in an Historical Trauma Response in many Native Americans. Only the holistic therapeutic response described could be effective in facilitating healing and empowering personal and communal development.
I am very grateful for this valuable training experience. It will serve me well in my educational and counseling responsibilities. Thank you very much!
The introduction to concepts of “ritual” and the metaphor of the “wheel” provided for an easy transition to a more detailed review of Native American “culture”. Ms. Little Leaf was careful to emphasize the differences between “tribal” groups, demythologizing the universal “Indian” stereotype. Culture was examined in terms of traditional values and resultant behaviors, the importance of language and song, and the negative impact on those unique values and their expression through colonizing efforts to irradicate Native American culture and force assimilation. The question germane to decolonization efforts across the United States was expressed in what can be heard as either a mournful plea, or an angry condemnation: “What Happened to Us?” The subsequent overview provided details that substantiate the identification of intentional genocide. The multi-generational impact of abuse, neglect and loss predictably results in an Historical Trauma Response in many Native Americans. Only the holistic therapeutic response described could be effective in facilitating healing and empowering personal and communal development.
I am very grateful for this valuable training experience. It will serve me well in my educational and counseling responsibilities. Thank you very much!
“Suicide Prevention BASICS”
I really appreciated Kathleen Little Leaf’s suicide awareness presentation. Including the Blackfoot Prayer at the beginning of her presentation was a very nice inclusion of her Native culture, and I appreciated her sharing that with the viewers. The inclusion of the the Suicide Awareness Poem was also an encouraging reminder of how we can provide hope for clients struggling with suicidal ideation. I found the 2020 statistics on suicide very eye opening. I know in my mind that suicide is problematic, but those statistics really showed me how pervasive it is. THe native suicide rates were very disconcerting, also. It seems like so much of the struggle that young people have on the reservations is so hidden and never spoken about.. I appreciate Ms. Little Leaf bringing attention to it in this presentation. It has been discussed over the pandemic how much mental health is suffering. THe COVID impact info related to the mental health issues, substance usage, and suicidal ideation was very eye opening and speaks to the increased need for mental health help. The flow chart of Levels of Urgency related to suicidality was very helpful. When we as practitioners find ourselves dealing with a client who is expressing suicidal thoughts/ideation, it can be very stressful for us practitioners. Having the flow chart helps us focus concretely on the discussion and clearly understanding where our client falls in the levels of urgency. Having the specific questions to ask is a very good thing to have on hand when we are in a very stressful situation dealing with a suicidal client. There is no shame in referring to it when trying to maintain professional calm and being clear and helping the client get the help they need, without having to draw questions from memory. I like the Resilient Zone slide because it helps conceptualize healthy functioning for a person who has been struggling with Suicidal ideation and thoughts. Helps things be less vague and more specific when focusing on healing.
Very good job. Thank you for sharing this. I am bookmarking it on my You Tube to utilize as a resource while working with my clients. ~LCSW
“Introduction to the Psychology of Gender for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention” Workshop
I just wanted to send you my short write up about the LGBTQ training I watched. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, as I have a few family members who are gay, my brother and cousins, as well as very close friends who are trans. I’ve been ‘studying’ this type of material since I can remember to make sure I’m supportive and educated the best I can be when I encounter situations that I will never have true understanding for. The complexity of the spectrum for gender, identity, orientation, as well as expression is really quite impressive. Thankfully my psych professor was always very honest about these things and brought up intersex and chromosomes early on in my education, so these things weren’t new to me. Something that was new, was when you brought up the different brackets of study- women’s study, men’s study, gender study, etc, and how little actual peer reviewed, published information there is. Yet, I’m 26 and have been reading about this for the last 15 years (really weird for me to say that). I previously supported a female who is XXXX. It has always interested me how the chromosomes present in many different ways, yet we don’t often explore that in many other people. I also genuinely loved the Flying Gender Unicorn slide because it demonstrates the complexity of humans in a very nice visual. The next thing I was really keyed into was the brain/thoughts of women vs men. I was under the general impression that thoughts are different for the genders because of our social roles, but to really be able to nail down that we aren’t so different is really impressive. I love studying the brain and the physiology of psych, so this was quite interesting and I’d really like to learn more about that part of what we know. But I think you’ll be able to say, that there just isn’t a lot of information about this yet, just like there isn’t a lot of published work on gender studies for you to have a solid textbook you like. Something I wish- that drag could be studied as well. My brother does drag, and it has really been wonderful to be welcomed into their community as ‘big sister’ but also seeing the depth of their relationships. I think this is so important because there are male/female/trans drag performers and the ‘houses’ or bonds they form are a safeguard to preventing suicide by giving people a feeling of belonging and family when natural families or typical social circles don’t accept the person. It’s been a nightmare to know that so many wonderful people aren’t loved/are abused by those closest to them, and we know this, we can prove this, and yet we almost seem to ignore it as a general population. It’s also awful to think about how we sexualize women for complimenting or hitting on another woman, but if my brother hits on another man, it’s suddenly repulsive and raises feelings of anger/violence. Then, that those feelings are being legalized (not really but it feels this way) because of the discrimination of ‘well he was gay and it scared me so I beat him because it’s not typical for me to encounter this type of person’ when really you committed a hate crime.
“Introduction to the Psychology of Gender for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention” Workshop
I appreciated the level of the course as I have at times felt imtimidated by my lack of LGBTQ competency as a white, hetero, cis-woman- I have, at times, felt that I was not using terminology properly and could offend a client. Therefore I found the refresher and more thorough learning of appropriate terminology helpful. I particularly appreciated the section on gender role attitudes and have often noticed that society “allows” women to have “male characteristics” more favorably than a male displaying female characteristics; I was better able to conceptualize this after the presentation. The statistics on suicidal ideation for this population are heartbreaking, although I was not surprised to hear they were that high as the few LGBTQ clients I have worked with all struggled with persistent suicidal thoughts. I generally feel that this course helped me feel more at-ease (less intimidated) with moving towards my weak or blind-spots in this population and am likely to take more courses on further supporting LGBTQ persons in the near future.
Thank you for your time and dedication to bringing awareness and education for the LGBTQ community.
“Native American Cultural Sensitivity for Suicide Prevention” Workshop
This training by Kathy Little Leaf was very informative and I have taken Native American culture trainings before, but I ALWAYS gain more knowledge on the history of the genocide and assimilation, and boarding school trauma. I find myself in disbelief that this was still happening when I was born and throughout my childhood, without a word every being said. I even lived near the Blackfeet reservation, but had no idea about any of this during my upbringing.
I am a children’s counselor on the reservation, and I constantly remind myself of the historical trauma and have empathic understanding of their culture and the generational trauma that is affecting the children now. I am mindful about the importance of the medicine wheel and I believe that we can all incorporate these wonderful models into our own lives. I teach a lot of mindfulness to help the client’s widen their window of tolerance as they navigate through their lives.
Thank you for this very useful training. Thanks to all who made it possible, and especially to Kathy Little Leaf for giving us awareness and insight into the Native American culture. ~LCPC Attendee
“Native American Cultural Sensitivity for Suicide Prevention” Workshop
Although aware of the atrocities committed by colonists against indigenous people on our continent, I found the historical information that was shared in this presentation extremely painful. I was stunned to learn that over 97% of natives were killed during the period of the late 1600s through the late 1800s/early 1900s. It reminded me that recognizing the impact of the history of this trauma must be highlighted whenever working with indigenous people, and it has a direct correlation with the present day suffering of native people. Kathy’s summary of differences between native culture and the dominant culture were helpful. In serving native clients, the values of traditional native culture can inform how to best serve. For instance, multi-generational living and engagement together in close community versus nuclear family style living in the dominant culture, is an important perspective to consider when an individual in that family system is in crisis. There is a broader base of conceivable family support to lean in to for the individual. The use of ritual could potentially be useful in crisis situations (or treatment in general) as well, depending on whether the native client is more traditional or more “assimilated,” to use Kathy’s language. Cultural sensitivity is of paramount importance when a clinician in the dominant culture is serving a minority population or one with a different ethnicity. It is extremely important to be aware of my whiteness, my privilege, my unconscious biases, my ignorance, and my potential for committing micro-aggressions in order to serve effectively and with compassion. I must do my own work. I must excavate my own experiences and understand how living in a culture that continues to elevate the value of whiteness is in great need of change. I loved that Kathy provided an invitation to work together to serve native clients and heal communities. I understand the reasons why white clinicians would potentially be distrusted by indigenous clients. It makes my heart ache that this is so. I want to know how I can be part of healing and positive changes. ~LCSW Attendee
“Native American Cultural Sensitivity for Suicide Prevention” Workshop
I learned a lot from Kathy sharing her personal experiences with the impact of her parents being taken away from their families and forced into boarding school.
I knew only a little about this prior to this training, and Kathy’s breakdown of the impact on those children’s language, connections, culture, and that on subsequent generations was heartbreaking and so important to know more about. I had not realized that those schools continued all the way into 1980, and that Native Americans couldn’t legally engage in their ceremony and religious practices until 1978.
Her presentation deepened my understanding of the extent of the impact of historical trauma, and of how alcoholism is a manifestation of historical trauma in native american communities. I did not know that alcohol/historical trauma has taken more native lives than all the wars and diseases in their history combined. What I learned from Kathy’s training made me want to get involved in advocating for reparations for the genocide and mass theft of land and children that native communities have endured at the hands of european colonizers.
Gabor Mate’s talk about how addictions and illnesses originate in childhood trauma was really important to hear as well. ~LMFT
“Native American Cultural Sensitivity for Suicide Prevention” Workshop
I attended your recent class on Native American Cultural Sensitivity training on suicide prevention. I’m deeply grateful for the time you took to share all of your teachings and personal stories on this topic. I’m serving as the children and youth coordinator on the Pine Ridge reservation.
There is a lot to say, and right now I feel it’s best to just say thank you and I really appreciated your statement at the end that we all need each other and that “it takes an entire village to raise a child…to reclaim the community, and that today is a day we will hurt no more.”
“Introduction to the Psychology of Gender for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention” Workshop
I think the most informative was just how complicated gender and sex are, and knowing that that alone makes it easier for me to be more understanding and knowlegable about treating or interacting with each individual. I knew gender exists on a continuum, but this taught me much more about the exact continuums that exist- the sex, gender identity, expression and sexual orientation continnums- and the importance of being aware of those. Even the difference between sex and gender was informative. I was fascinated by the graphics and discussion of the in-utero progression of embryonic development. This, along with the human development part, explained clearly how similar male and female are and the myriad of factors that influence human sexuality. Recognizing the role this sexuality plays on the societal plane is so important in today’s world- the statistics provided on suicide and poverty, distress will help me to address that more effectively. ~LCSW
“Suicide Prevention BASICS”
I’m impressed with the statistics: the presence of alcohol and violence raise suicidal concerns; of those who attempt suicide, females are 3 times more likely than males yet males are 77.9% successful while females are 22.03% successful; Native Americans are at higher risk than the general population; and from June 24-30, 2020 during COVID pandemic 40% of completed suicides included those with a substance use disorder or mental health issue.
We, as SUD providers can break confidentiality to alert authorities ONLY to protect someone from harming/killing themselves. I had a duty to warn situation last month and called twice for welfare checks on a client and they were transported to the hospital both times. I could NOT provide information to others about status or other info because I lacked a signed release.
I found the Survivors information interesting and logical although I’d not thought about it before. Survivors of suicide can have PTSD, grief and financial burdens.
There are risk factors such as substance abuse and violence that were addressed early in the training, as well as depression, isolation, and lack of resources. Warning signs can include the substance use, violence, change in moods or demeanors, giving away belongings, talk of hopelessness.
To better equip my agency to address suicide and suicidal ideation I have a crisis plan and remember to keep calm, ask direct and to the point questions, offer hope and have an up-to-date list of resources. I do prevention work and have taken action as needed. I don’t allow secrets, take away guns and pills, make sure someone is with them at all times and call 911 or take them to the ER.
Resiliency is a focus at my agency and we practice grounding/relaxation techniques to connect with the parasympathetic nervous system and gain awareness of the moment.
“Introduction to the Psychology of Gender for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention” Workshop
Gender is on a spectrum! So much of how western culture has based and promoted understanding of gender has been limited to the social constricts that have regarded gender as binary and oppressive in nature (i.e. male > female). A helpful tool to use regarding understanding identity is the gingerbread person which breaks down gender identity, attraction, sex, & expression. Using preferred pronouns in greetings helps to normalize gender complexity, increases inclusivity, and helps identify yourself as a helpful/safe person. People who cannot express who they truly are inside, whose rights are continuously disregarded and fall into different intersections that experience greater discrimination are at significant risk for completing suicide especially folx in the transgender community. Help guardians process fear so they can support and empower their youth. Amazing things happen when we feel safe to express our true self!
Thank you for sharing the extra resources and speaking on such an important subject! ~LCSW
“Introduction to the Psychology of Gender for LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention” Workshop
Thanks so much for providing this training. I really appreciate you speaking about intersectionality. I also thought that you speaking to the fluidity of gender and that we all have changes in chemistry which impacts our gender presentations. The fact that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to attempt suidicide, means that we need to emphasize safety when Suicidal Ideation is prevalent. The different types of conflict concepts were very helpful for me to learn. I currently have a minor client who identifies as a transboy, and he is struggling with these different conflicts. The information for parents of trans children and how to talk to them will be helpful for me to share with the minor’s family. However, they may be a family that is “beyond my help” because they are very fearful.
Additionally, the other video from Kathy Little Leaf about Suicide Assessment was helpful when including that clinicians can be “triggered” when a client shares about having a plan and active Suicidal Ideation. I am a pretty new clinician, and currently have a few clients with Suicidal Ideation and feel that in some cases my own anxiety can be difficult to overcome in order to provide stabilization for the clients. Having some normalization around this helps me to feel more competent. I also really appreciated the crisis intervention and response triage guide that you provided in the resources document. That will be something that I refer to in the future to ensure that I am properly assessing for risk. Thanks again! ~LCSW
“Suicide Prevention BASICS”
I thought the video was interesting due to the topic of Suicide Prevention being covered in multiple contexts. The speaker did express a wide range of experience and cultural expression that is relevant to many of the people in Montana. When she used more recent suicide statistics for both Caucasian and Native populations, it was a bit surprising to see that the suicide rates are so high in men for death, but women in attempts. She also made a good point that when you have close knit communities or families, there is a higher risk of suicide attempt or ideation in survivors. The COVID related information was also useful, as the COVID precautions that all have to take have had a negative impact on mental health as well as substance use, both of which are risk factors for suicide. Overall the video did well to address the clinician’s perspective on physical, mental, and emotional factors in suicide prevention. ~Clinical Staff
“Suicide Prevention BASICS”
I enjoyed the video on suicide prevention basics; I work as a Targeted-Youth Case Manager, so I work with youth who suffer with suicidal ideations. I was aware that covid-19 had an impact on suicide within our country; however, I was alarmed to see the difference between suicides among Native American cultures in comparison to Caucasian suicide numbers. I also found it interesting that men tend to have a higher likelihood of successfully committing suicide; however, women are more likely than men to attempt suicide. I found the charts and tools given in the video to be helpful, and they are something that I will use in the future if the situation arises. The training gave me the insight to remember that girls are more likely to attempt to commit suicide; however, boys are more likely to successfully commit suicide. It bears the question if mental health professionals should be more alarmed and on alert with male patients in recognizing depression symptoms to address suicidal ideations before they take action simply because it seems that male patients would be less likely to discuss their ideations.