Prevention Paradigm for Native Americans – Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Doreen Bird, MPH,

Doreen Bird is from Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico. She was a program specialist at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. As a National Institute of Mental Health research fellow, her research focused on mental and behavioral health issues among American Indians. In 2016, she joined the Suicide Prevention Resource Center as a Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist.

Doreen Bird, MPH,

"Involve Native people in program development—ultimately they know what works in their community."

It’s time to change the paradigm when working with Native people, says Doreen Bird, a public health professional and Native American. We need to focus on the strengths of Native Americans and what has made them resilient. And we must involve Native people when developing suicide prevention programs in their communities. “This will empower the community and make the programs and services a whole lot better at reducing suicide,” she explains.