This week, we are continuing our series on Youth Issues In Alaska.  Alaska has some of the most troubling statistics regarding child welfare in the union.  Alaskan youth are facing domestic violence and abuse, teen pregnancy, substance use, suicide & mental illness, rape, and school drop-out at rates that top those in the lower-48.  For a few weeks, we would like to focus on some of those numbers – and ways in which Alaskans are working to turn those numbers around.

At Fairbanks Youth Advocates, our focus is currently on the specific needs of runaway and homeless youth.  Opening The Door is our first step towards addressing those needs.  But those needs are not all we are concerned about, nor what our long-term focus is limited to.  Our mission is Facilitating life transitions for at-risk youth.  That includes addressing problems faced by Alaskan youth, and connecting with programs who work to address them.

There are some incredible agencies and individuals in Alaska.  We would like to focus on a few of them.

Youth suicide – and suicide among those of all ages – is a real problem in Alaska.  Alaska’s  suicide rates among youth (up to age 24) in Alaska top the nation – around 200 young people commit suicide each year.    The causes for our statistical anomaly are wide-ranging.  The months (and months, and months) of bitter cold and  limited sunshine serve to intensify depression, frustration, anxiety, and anger.  As our rates of domestic  and sexual violence and substance abuse also top the nation, these problems compound to leave individuals feeling hopeless and trapped.  Isolation in rural Alaska makes that feeling of being trapped even more severe.  Many Alaskan youth attempt suicide each year, and some succeed.  That is a tragedy. It needn’t happen.

In every state, including Alaska, there are 24-hour crisis lines.  Staffed by volunteers, they serve as a caring listener, helping that person find reasons to live, and help direct those in need with people in their community who can help.  Here in Fairbanks an organization called Careline Crisis Intervention provides 24-7, 365 access to volunteers who are trained to listen and provide non-judgmental support.  They might not always say the right thing.  They can’t solve the problems that brought you to call.  But they can listen, and care, and help you find a reason to keep living through the pain you’re in.  Suicide is preventable.  Timely intervention, and appropriate care and support are sometimes all that is needed to help someone choose to keep living.  Problems don’t go away, but they can become less overwhelming – and a person can be connected to someone who can help.

For more information on suicide, suicide prevention, and Alaska, visit Stop Suicide Alaska.

For help, call Careline.  Their website also offers live help via chat.

24-hours a day,
seven days a week.

Calls are caring and confidential.
Call 452-4357 in Fairbanks,
or toll-free statewide at
877-266-4357 or 800-273-8255

Without agencies like Careline, more would be lost to suicide.