For Native Americans, Mental Health Budget Cuts Hit Hard

By Laurel G. Morales, NPR Code Switch

“Native American tribes gave up millions of acres to the federal government in the 19th century in exchange for promises of funded health care, education and housing. But time and again, those funds have been cut.

The recent across-the-board federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, are no exception. They came with a 5 percent reduction in funding for mental health services, including suicide prevention. That’s especially troubling for Native Americans, whose suicide rate are four times the national average.”

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