---
title: "Development of Culture Forward: A Strengths and Culture-based Tool to Protect Our Native Youth from Suicide"
description: Culture Forward is a critical new path for Native youth suicide prevention. Native voices and knowledge across tribes, professional and community roles, geographies, and age groups are represented in this guide. Community readiness and action is propelled forward by a…
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/crisis-response-and-suicide-prevention/development-of-culture-forward-a-strengths-and-culture-based-tool-to-protect-our-native-youth-from-suicide/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention
tags:
  - Article
  - Audience
  - Child welfare professionals
  - Mental health professionals
---

# Development of Culture Forward: A Strengths and Culture-based Tool to Protect Our Native Youth from Suicide

Culture Forward is a critical new path for Native youth suicide prevention. Native voices and knowledge across tribes, professional and community roles, geographies, and age groups are represented in this guide. Community readiness and action is propelled forward by a strong vision and involvement of tribal leaders—who are the focal audience for CULTURE
 FORWARD. This guide was intentionally designed to be a practical tool with accessible written
 and visual information to leverage unique strengths within tribal communities to protect youth against suicide. CULTURE FORWARD aims to change the narrative about Native youth suicide prevention from targeting an at-risk group to elevating tribal strengths and knowledge as solutions toward physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

 

[Read More](https://psycnet.apa.org/manuscript/2022-76771-001.pdf)

 

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