Very few people in the "developed" world have any real idea of what daily life is like on an Indian reservation or reserve, amongst Australian Aborigines, amongst the Jarawa of India, the Bushmen of Botswana or the Khanty of Russia.  Even fewer are aware of the high levels of suicide there are or have been amongst these peoples.  We're working to change this through education, campaigning and publicity.

In numerous indigenous communities throughout the world the levels of suicides, attempted suicides and incidences of self-harm are way above those for non-indigenous people.  Four Directions UK works with Native peoples to reduce the number of suicides and to increase "emotional health" within their communities.  However, suicide is not a single problem, it is a response to multiple problems.  Suicide is the symptom, the underlying problems are the real causes.  This means that we work in far more diverse areas than might first appear.

There is a proven causal link between social inequality and suicide risk.  Many, in fact probably most, indigenous communities are at the bottom of the pile when it comes social and environmental justice.  Coupled with that, there are high levels of poverty, cultural deprivation and racism.  These factors all contribute to a host of social and emotional problems.

We agree with Native people when they contend that only they can restore pride, make things right and heal their communities.  Paternalistic, patronising "we're the experts, so we know best" approaches do not and cannot work.  So our work is about empowerment, encouragement, publicity and support.  Four Directions UK aims to provide various free services to Native communities who are working, in numerous ways, to address the many problems which can ultimately lead to suicide attempts.

Using our Website you will be able to find good, reliable sources of information about indigenous people, their history and their lives.  Armed with that information you can work to raise the profile of the problems which lead to self-harm and suicide.

For more information about Native People and suicide click here.