Many Indigenous peoples in Alaska have high suicide rates. The Unangan/s, however, have a rate reported to be below those of other Alaska Natives. Using data derived from literature review, autoethnography, and correspondence with Unangan/s and clinicians who serve them, we explore the validity of Unangax suicide statistics and the relationship between this people’s unique multifaceted—yet integrated—identity and mental health. We propose their low suicide rate stems from having a clear perception of their integrated cultural identity and the ability to fulfill their culture’s standards of personhood through engagement in culturally congruent activities (specifically, commercial fishing and Russian Orthodoxy) and cultural revitalization. To aid in suicide prevention, we advocate for culturally relevant mental health services, programs that facilitate cultural-identity clarity, and culturally congruent economic development. Future research should ascertain local conceptions of personhood and suicide and empirically examine interactions of cultural-identity clarity, culturally congruent activities, and psychological well-being.

中文翻译：

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文化认同，心理健康和自杀预防：我们可以从Unangax文化中学到什么？

阿拉斯加的许多土著人民自杀率很高。然而，据称Unangan的比率低于其他阿拉斯加土著人的比率。使用从文献综述，人种志研究以及与Unangan / s和服务于他们的临床医生的往来中获得的数据，我们研究了Unangax自杀统计数据的有效性以及该人独特的，多层面的（但仍是综合的）身份与心理健康之间的关系。我们认为他们的自杀率很低，这是因为他们对文化的综合身份具有清晰的认识，并且能够通过参与文化相称的活动（特别是商业捕鱼和俄罗斯正教）和文化振兴来达到其文化水平的能力。为了帮助预防自杀，我们提倡与文化相关的心理健康服务，促进文化认同清晰化和文化上一致的经济发展的计划。未来的研究应确定当地的人格和自杀观念，并从经验上检验文化认同清晰性，文化一致性活动和心理健康之间的相互作用。