10.12.11

Murkowski to Hold Senate Hearing on Alaska Native Youth Suicide

Senator Will Hold Indian Affairs Field Hearing at AFN Convention on "Devastating" Issue

WASHINGTON, D.C. –   U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced she will be holding a Senate Indian Affairs Committee Field Hearing on H.O.P.E.- Helping Our People Engage on October 22, 2011 – during next week’s AFN Convention in Anchorage.

“I will be conducting a field hearing of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to really delve into more of the issues surrounding youth suicide, some of the connections that we know to be at play, whether it’s depression, whether it’s witnessing acts of violence within the home, whether it is lack of support,” Murkowski said. “This will be an opportunity for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to hear, not only from the experts, but from those who have been impacted by suicide in their region.”

(Click video to play)

                      

WHO:

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski

Confirmed Witnesses:

Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.

Richard McKeon, PH.D Chief for the Suicide Prevention Branch in the Center for Mental Health Services, of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, D.C.

Evon Peter, Director, Maniilaq Wellness Program, Kotzebue, AK

WHAT:         

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Field Hearing: Suicide Epidemic Among Native Youth

WHEN:         

Saturday, October 22, 2011
1:00 P.M.

WHERE:       

Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, Anchorage

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