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Doktogradsavhandling om selvmord blant samer. M\u00e5let med denne studien var \u00e5 utforske og belyse hvordan selvmord forst\u00e5s blant samer og hvilke konkrete tiltak som er iverksatt for \u00e5 forhindre selvmord blant samer i nordiske deler av S\u00e1pmi. Tekst p\u00e5 engelsk.<\/p>\n
In suicidological research, it is well known that suicide rates differ, sometimes to a great extent, between countries, sexes, religious and ethnic populations. It has been suggested that in-depth exploration of social, cultural, contextual and historical perspectives on suicide is needed to explain this, and increase efficacy of prevention efforts. S\u00e1mi are the Indigenous people who traditionally live in northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and north-western Russia (the Kola Peninsula). Generally, S\u00e1mi seem to enjoy good health along with the majority populations, at least in jurisdictions where some data is available (no Russian data is available). However, suicide is considered a major public health issue among S\u00e1mi, as it is globally. S\u00e1mi men have died more often by suicide than the majority populations in Nordic countries, ranging from 17% excess in Sweden (1961\u20132000), to 150% excess in Finland (1997\u20132005). An increased focus on the importance of reducing suicide among S\u00e1mi has led to creation of a \u2018Plan for suicide prevention among S\u00e1mi in Norway, Sweden and Finland\u2019 in 2017. However, research on this issue is still very limited and mainly includes cohort studies on suicide mortality and cross-sectional studies on suicidal behaviour. There are no studies that have evaluated suicide prevention programs among S\u00e1mi.<\/p>\n
The overarching aim of this thesis was to explore and elucidate how suicide is understood among S\u00e1mi and what specific actions have been taken to prevent suicide among S\u00e1mi in Nordic parts of S\u00e1pmi.<\/p>\n
The findings in studies I and II show that there are ways of investigating culture-specific understandings of suicide among S\u00e1mi, and that suicide among S\u00e1mi is currently understood to be linked to the difficulties of maintaining S\u00e1mi identities. As regards prevention, it is suggested that the dominant rationales for suicide prevention were addressing shortcomings on individual and relational levels, and raising awareness in the general public. This threatens to obscure more critical approaches such as broadening perspectives in prevention planning, improving health systems for S\u00e1mi, and promoting cultural empowerment among S\u00e1mi. To improve evaluation and identify most promising practices, increased support regarding development of plans and implementation for evaluation components is needed.<\/p>\n