The Native Helping Our People Endure (H.O.P.E.) Program is a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive intervention program focused on suicide and substance misuse prevention strategies in Indian Country. The program is designed to increase leadership opportunities, break unhealthy cycles of behavior and model wellness in all lights, breaking the “Code of Silence.” The intervention approach trains school-based educators/administrators, community members, and local/regional adults to increase the ability to work with our Native youth. We work with Native youth, school-based educators and administrators to promote inclusion of Native culture, traditions, spirituality, humor and ceremonies.

Learn about H.O.P.E. Services →

Purpose: 

“To strengthen the capacity of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) teens and young adults to help each other in leadership development and prevention.”

Expected Outcome: 

Ultimately, the overall outcome is to strengthen the “Call-to-Action” among our AI/AN youth and adults from their communities by using their “Sources of Strengths.” Furthermore, to include “Sources of Strengths” to break the “Code of Silence” and unhealthy behaviors and factors such as: suicide, depression, substance misuse, violence, and exposure to trauma.  

Illustrations of expected outcomes: 

• Establishing Native youth councils in school surrounding peer-counseling, support groups/talking Circles for Native teens, and mentoring programs.
• Assisting schools on the process of screening for suicide, depression, etc. in a culturally-responsive and sensitive approach holistically.