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Embracing Life Project Final Report

Project Title: Deschambault Lake Suicide Prevention Project

Organization Name: Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services

PART I – PROJECT EVALUTION

Project Goals & Objectives (as stated on the project application):

Goals: 1. Increase awareness/understanding of risk factors that contribute to suicide ideations among youth.2. Increase preventative activities and reduce risk factors.3. Increase youth leadership and involvement in problem solving.4. Build capacity and implement strategies to address suicide prevention.

Objectives: 1. Community members will have an increased awareness and understanding about preventing

suicide.2. Youth will have an increase awareness and understanding of causes and prevention of suicide.3. Community members will have a role to play in reducing the risk of youth suicide.4. Community will involve youth in planning, prevention, intervention and aftercare for youth suicide.5. Build capacity and implement strategies to address suicide prevention.

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Objectives

Yes we met the goals and objectives. Awareness and risk factors that contribute to youth suicide

ideations and ultimately attempts were discussed through prevention activities such as – Career and

goal setting, lateral violence; bullying, violence prevention, suicide strategies and support systems

were explored. Other discussions were on problem solving, coping skills, asset mapping, stress

mgmt., and formal training for community members regarding ASIST & SAFE Talk for students to

nurture leadership skills in youth.

Outcomes

Monthly reports were submitted to Prince Albert Health Services and evaluations by participants were gathered and also summarized as part of the reporting. The following are dates and activities that were done as part of this project;

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PART III – SUCCESS STORY

The first activity was on March 13, 2014 - James Klassen provided Stress management for 11 youth. They learned what stress was and how it can make them feel. James taught the youth coping skills such as talking to someone – going for a walk, deep breathing exercises and or writing in a journal. The youth had fun doing the deep breathing but were shy when asked what they did for themselves for coping skills.

March 22, 2014 – Bernie Hillier (Holistic Coordinator) took 12 youth and 3 adults to “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls” at the Flin FLon Community Hall staring Mr. Byron Hurt. The youth enjoyed the speaker, luncheon and trip to Flin Flon. My Byron Hurt was motivated, hopeful and wanted to inspire the listeners to end violence against women and girls through his talk. He spoke about sexism, battering, rape, emotional, physical, mental abuses that are socially acceptable through the silence of others. He spoke about abuse not being spoken about among men because - a woman deserved it or it was his business. The women, girls, men and young men were taken through some activities and of what women went through to keep safe as opposed to men. Mr. Byron Hurt spoke about behaviors’ and attitudes we have in terms of sexist jokes an how we are conditioned to be silent, to do nothing, to look the other way, to view this as a woman’s issue, a woman’s problem. We have to be courageous and comfortable to speak out against violence towards women and girls. We made the front page Except the date should have read March 26th rather than January 26th. The youth enjoyed the luncheon and we took them to Wal-Mart to buy hygiene packs and snacks.

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April 22 – 25, 2104 – We took 8 girls and 6 boys ages 14 to 17 years of age to Candle Lake for a Youth Wellness Camp. April 22nd we went to Prince Albert and had supper at KFC and then took the youth for a movie night and watched, “Heaven Is For Real”.

The youth enjoyed themselves and we made our way to Candle Lake and the youth could not sleep as they were excited for the next day’s activities.

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April 23rd – We started the day with breakfast and Alton Michel from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services came and did a presentation on” Lateral Violence” with a discussion on Bullying. The youth spoke about how they felt and what they could do for themselves if they found themselves feeling alone and angry. The girls worked together on a poster on bullying.

The youth discussed the experiences they had with bullying and what they did to help themselves and what they could do better such as talking to someone and going for help rather than hurting the other youth.

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April 23rd we started the day with breakfast – and Alton Michel Presented on “Adolescent Addiction and Recovery”. He spoke about the adolescent youth and their bodies and minds changing and the dangers of drinking and doing drugs and the impacts – consequences of a high risk lifestyle. There was a discussion between youth after the presentation as to what they can do for themselves for healthier activities and how to say no to friends who invite them to drink and or do drugs.

After the presentation the youth went exploring the grounds and were surprised to see a live deer come so close to the buildings.

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We left for Prince Albert to go to Alfred Jenkins Field House where the youth braved climbing a wall. It was fun to see them challenge each other and encourage each other to see who could make it to the top. The youth really enjoyed this.

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eat at Pizza Hut.

We headed to the bowling alley after the meal and the youth really enjoyed bowling in the dark with music playing in the background.

They were all ready to go for something to

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They just loved the bumper cars. They wanted to keep riding the bumper cars but all good things come to an end – an end to the night. They so enjoyed themselves that evening and we went shopping at Wal-Mart for banana boat supplies such as ice-cream, nuts, bananas, toppings and went back to camp. The youth have not been exposed to such events and some expressed “Can we do this again? Is this ever cool! Wow – I didn’t know we could do so much!!

It was a busy, fun filled day and evening for the youth that were all ready to go to bed and have a good rest

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April 24th the youth all got up a bit late after the late evening and had a good breakfast. Alton Michel came in and joined us. Alton presented “Career and Goal Setting” and we all participated in an activity writing down what we would like to see in five to ten years narrowing it down to one year and six months as to what we needed to do in terms of planning and setting ourselves up. It was an interesting activity because I watched the youth struggling to read and write which would and does contribute to low self-esteem, withdrawal and depression. Discussion was focused on youth continuing school and doing the best they could and asking for help from the teachers and or supports from the community such as Holistic.

Bernie Hillier and Jonathan Ballantyne gave a presentation on “Healthy Boundaries”. We discussed how close we allow people to come into our lives and how they influence our decisions and how we behave. We did an activity on how close we allow others with addictions or unhealthy activities into our lives and some of the reasons why we would. The youth had a better idea of why they hang out with youth who are using alcohol and drugs and also how to practice saying “no, I don’t want to smoke or drink” – instead to suggest other activities such as fishing, canoeing, joining a youth group and or volunteering for Elders or agencies for their resumes.

April 25th Bernie Hillier and Jonathan spoke to the youth about coping/problem solving skills. The youth spoke about how they presently deal with life’s issues and that’s through drinking and smoking and not going home and or thinking suicide and attempting suicide. We discussed healthier ways of dealing with problems such as talking to a friend and getting help with Holistic if they or a friend were thinking suicide and not to keep this a secret. I knew some of the youth that had attempted and when they had attempted they were usually under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These youth listened to Jonathan and I. We discussed support systems and self-care.

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We had fun at Candle Lake Resort. A BIG THANK YOU FROM THE YOUTH FOR GIVING US THE OPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE GOOD FUN AND HOW WE CAN HELP OURSELVES AND WHAT WE CAN BECOME

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May 6th and 7th we hosted ASIST with agencies such as, Holistic, Education, Indian Child and Family Services, RCMP and Wellness Center staff. It was a two day activity taught by John Mitchell, Phyllis Custer and Brenda Roberts.

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We also did SAFE TALK with 20 students from the High School of Deschambault Lake. The students were quiet and did not participate due the many number of students. They did listen and the students that stayed participated in an activity in which they had to say a few words.

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The youth that completed were happy to know they were getting certified

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On July 29th 2014 we took the youth to an Outfitter’s in Denare Beach at the end of what is called the South Weir. There they prepared meat for smoking and made some bannock and cooked it over the fire. They also went canoeing and swimming. Bernie Hillier and Jonathan Ballantyne did a presentation on “Violence Prevention” with the youth and we came up with alterative coping skills such as taking a time out, talking to a friend, calling Holistic staff, teachers and or someone they trust. We then went to the petting zoo and then to KFC before heading home.

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The youth have had such a good time learning and being exposed to a variety of experiences that will contribute to making wiser choices and knowing a wider network of supports that are available to them if they should require assistance and a listening ear.

Some of the comments that the youth made are;

“I sure enjoyed being able to learn and have fun in other places”.

“I didn’t think I could have such fun”.

“Can we do this again and go to Candle Lake?

“Doing things like this keeps us away from smoking up and being away from gangs”.

“What we did and saw gave me a better idea of what’s out there and what we can do for ourselves”.

“Let’s form a youth group and make more money to go on trips!!