A new report from the Alaska Legislature finds a lack of suicide prevention funds in Native villages, where suicide rates are among the highest in the nation.

From 2000 to 2009, the suicide rates in western Alaska villages were six to seven times the national average. But funding for tribes, villages and organizations in the region has dropped significantly, according to the report.

For example, in 2003, 55 tribes, villages and other groups split nearly $800,000 in state grants. In 2009, the funding grew to $1.6 million -- but most of the money was taken by groups in regions with low suicide rates and only six grants went to tribes and villages.

Get the Story:
Report: State suicide-prevention grants to villages plummet (Alaska Newspapers 12/1)

Get the Report:
Suicide Rates, Prevention Funding, and Prevention Efforts in Alaska (November 12, 2010)

Related Stories:
Alaska Natives press for solutions to suicide in their communities (12/1)