SUICIDE PREVENTION
Significance of the Cause
Fire in the Mountains is dedicated to confronting a critical and urgent issue that significantly impacts the Blackfeet Nation, and all of Indian Country: suicide. Suicide rates among Indigenous peoples are significantly higher than the national average (which has risen thirty percent since COVID!), reflecting a deep-seated crisis that demands immediate attention and dedicated resources. This devastating reality underscores a pressing need for increased awareness, understanding, and preventative measures.
Commitment to Awareness and Support
In response to this, FITM is committed not only to raising awareness of the prevalence of suicide in Indian Country but also to actively participate in the solution by providing support for suicide prevention initiatives. FITM aims to create a platform that brings this issue to the forefront of our public consciousness and fosters a supportive community dedicated to change.
Fundraising and Allocation
FITM will serve as a fundraising event, with proceeds designated to support existing suicide prevention programs within the Blackfeet Nation and to contribute to the development of new initiatives aimed at intervention, education, and postvention. By harnessing the collective power of artists, musicians, and community members, FITM will generate much-needed funds to directly address this crisis.
Educational Outreach
To further its impact, FITM will incorporate educational components at the 2025 gathering that provide festival-goers with information on the signs of suicidal behavior, resources for mental health support, and strategies for intervention. The goal is to empower attendees with knowledge and resources to make a difference within their own communities.
Collaboration for Change
Recognizing that meaningful change requires a collaborative effort, FITM will partner with Blackfeet Tribal leaders and elders, mental health professionals, and community organizations to ensure that the event’s contributions are effectively channeled into programs that will have the highest potential for positive impact.
Long-Term Vision
While the FITM festival is an annual event, its vision extends beyond a single weekend. FITM, in partnership with the Blackfeet Nation, is committed to a long-term engagement in suicide prevention, aspiring to create a legacy of hope and resilience that will permeate Indian Country for generations to come.
Destigmatizing Suicide, Normalizing the Struggle
Beyond providing a live music experience and gathering unlike any other, Fire in the Mountains aims to help destigmatize suicide and mental health issues in Indian Country and beyond. At its’ core, FITM is a gathering meant to promote a sense of connectivity and belonging for all attendees. Social connection and support have been identified as a strong protective factor that can buffer individuals from psychological symptoms that may lead to suicidal behavior.
While suicide rates may be highest in Indigenous and underserved communities in the USA, it is an issue that has tragically impacted most of us. Our partnership with the Blackfeet Nation serves as a critical foundation that nurtures our unconditional love and respect for one another and highlights the fact that we all are profoundly impacted by suicide, no matter where we’re from.
Music is extremely important to us for a lot of reasons. It provides endless inspiration and empowerment. It provides opportunities for expression. It connects us. And in terms of our wellness, music helps us process our lives and our experience. In accordance with these values, FITM is committed to embedding the following ideals into programming at our 2025 gathering:
Community and Belonging: The heavy music community is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support. We often find solace in connecting with others who share the same struggles and understand our emotional states. This sense of belonging can be a crucial factor in mitigating feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are significant risk factors for suicidal behavior.
Emotional Expression and Catharsis: Heavy music often deals with themes of pain, anger, and existential dread. For listeners who are struggling with intense emotions, engaging with music that reflects their inner turmoil can provide a sense of validation and relief. This opportunity for catharsis allows individuals to process and release their emotions in a safe and controlled manner.
Engaging with heavy music, whether through listening, performing, or writing, offers us an artistic outlet for expressing complex emotions that might be difficult to articulate otherwise. This creative process can be therapeutic and provide a meaningful way to cope with our sorrow and despair.
Personal Empowerment: Many heavy bands and subgenres of metal emphasize themes of resilience and empowerment in the face of adversity. This can inspire us to confront our challenges and reclaim a sense of agency over our lives. The aggressive and powerful nature of this music can also foster a sense of strength and determination.
FITM is a Safe Gathering Space for People Impacted by Suicide
Those affected by suicide often experience intense and complex emotions such as unfathomable grief, guilt, anger, confusion, numbness, etc. FITM aims to provide a safe space and environment where individuals can share their experiences with others who have gone through similar situations. This peer support has been identified as the best strategy to support survivors of suicide.
This mutual understanding and validation can significantly alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness. Further, studies have shown that peer-based support is one of the most important factors in helping suicide loss survivors cope with their loss. This unique support can even serve as a bridge to a deeper level of clinical care.
Suicide is often surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding, which can prevent individuals from seeking help or talking openly about their experiences. A dedicated gathering space like FITM can foster an atmosphere of acceptance and non-judgment, encouraging open dialogue and reducing the shame associated with suicide.
FITM can serve as a hub for valuable resources in Indian Country and beyond, including information on mental health services, coping strategies, and crisis intervention. Access to such resources can empower festival attendees to seek help for themselves or others and navigate their grief more effectively.
Further, building a sense of community among those affected by suicide can provide a network of support that extends beyond the FITM gathering. These connections can be instrumental in helping individuals feel less alone and more understood, offering ongoing support and friendship.
The process of healing from the impact of suicide is often long and grueling. Creating a safe space like FITM encourages open conversations about suicide as well as other critical mental health issues, which is essential for prevention efforts. By normalizing these discussions, individuals may feel more comfortable seeking help and talking about their struggles before they escalate to a crisis point.
Beyond providing a safe and welcoming environment that fosters interconnectedness amongst festival attendees, FITM will provide an ongoing space to remember and honor the deceased, which is an important part of the grieving process.
Suicide in Indigenous Communities Deserves More Attention and Support
The issue of suicide in Indigenous communities indeed deserves more attention due to its alarming prevalence and the complex interplay of historical, cultural, social, and economic factors contributing to this crisis. The Blackfeet Nation has experienced an alarming number of suicides in recent years, and like most USA Native American tribes, suicide rates continue to climb each year.
The legacy of colonization has had profound and lasting impacts on all Indigenous peoples. Intergenerational/historical trauma and settler colonialism, including the effects of forced relocation, residential schools, cultural suppression, and systemic discrimination, has contributed to this intergenerational trauma, which is a significant risk factor for mental health issues and suicide in Indian Country.
The erosion of cultural identity and traditional practices due to historical and ongoing colonization efforts has left many Indigenous individuals feeling disconnected from their cultural roots. This cultural disconnection can lead to a loss of identity and purpose, which are crucial protective factors against suicide.
There is often a severe shortage of culturally appropriate mental health services in Indigenous communities. Mainstream mental health services may not be equipped to address the unique cultural and contextual factors influencing Indigenous mental health, leading to inadequate support and intervention.
Raising awareness about the high rates of suicide in the Blackfeet Nation and all Indigenous communities is crucial for advocacy and policy change. Increased attention can lead to better funding for mental health services, more research into effective prevention strategies, and greater overall support for Indigenous health and well-being.