St.'John 2021 Homecoming Court
St. John High School students chose their‘2021 Homecoming court during
the recent celebration , From left to right are Megan Boe, Aleigha Lenoir,
Kylie Parisien, Queen Laneleeialin, King Jay-
ton Slater, Landon Otto, Kutter Belgarde and Ty Abrahamson. , ‘ ,.
coming a more serious issue among
Native Americans. In 2019, suicide
was the second leading cause of
death for American Indians between
the ages of 10 and 34. In addition, a
larger percentage of the Native pop-
ulation 18 years of age and older
were found to be dealing with serious
psychological distress.
Gaillord emotionally recounted
his final hours with his son, his final
“I love you” and a final wish for an—
other chance.
“I woke up at 3:30 in the morning
and Adam was sleeping on the couch,
,.
"A...
(Continued from Page 1)
“It’s painful every day. and I wish things
would be different. As a parent, I hope none
of you have to deal with suicide, but'it’s real,
"Very real.”
he was on his phone, I could see the
light under the blanket. He was rest-
less and moving around,” Gaillord
said. “IfI could only hit play-back or
rewind. I should have went to my son.
He needed help and I didn’t see that.”
Gaillord Peltier, left, and Erin, Garrison, one of the coordinators of last
week’s awareness event and
Gaillord Peltier
Gaillord said the memory of that
day is embedded in his mind and
urged others to step in anytime they
see someone struggling with mental
illness. He said. the state’s top 10
ranking when it comes to deaths by
new behavioral health and suicide prevention specialist at Indian Health
Services in Belcourt.
suicide is unacceptable.
“We have to have better support
systems,” Gaillord said. “We have to
provide those services to people
thinking about suicide.”
Gaillord said mental health is a
major issue in Rolette County and
pointed out that while he’s not an ex—
Public Health
Prevent. Promote. Protect.
Rolette County Public Health District
‘ “my.
pert on the issue of suicide, he is a
survivor.
“It’s painful every day and I wish
things would be different,” Gaillord
said. “As a parent, I hope none of
you have to deal with suicide, but it’s
real, very real.”
Anyone looking for more infor—
./;_
A‘Suicide Awareness'Walk at the Turtle Mountain High School Track
drew a good crowd as people gathered together to support each other as well
as discuss mental health needs in the area.
Trend
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mation on mental health or assistance
for people who may be at risk of sui—
cide, please contact ‘(Erin GarriSOn,
the behavioral health and suicide pre-
vention specialist at Indian Health
Services in Belcourt. Her phone
number is 7031-477E'64111 ext. 8348 or
email her at .Qarrison'@ihs.gov.
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