“Western psychology doesn’t really give reasons or causes of mental health disorders because the Western biomedical model is about remediating symptoms. “The assumptions made by American psychology are contradictory and reductionist compared to the complex, holistic and inter-relational view of health that has been integral to Indigenous people for thousands of years.” For instance, over a decade ago, Gone partnered with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana to develop a summer cultural immersion program for people struggling with addiction. That is not really in keeping with Indigenous world views, where it’s about relationships,” says mental health clinician and researcher Rod McCormick of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, Canada. Those efforts have included formally defining what is meant by Indigenous psychologies, developing programs that adhere to those world views and identifying culturally appropriate ways to measure how well they work.
Six professionals indicated that Indigenous ATAPS services had filled a local service gap, whereas two did not. Agency staff reported overall considerable but locally variable levels of Indigenous ATAPS services demand, with ratings of ‘little’ (5), ‘moderate’ (7), ‘high’ (2), or ‘very high’ (4) demand on a five-point scale from ‘no’ to ‘very high’ demand. Our ability to increase service provision in specifically some of the more rural and remote locations has been very greatly welcomed.’ (ML12, Male, Medicare Local staff) I think that the people that were the most difficult to engage were people from the Aboriginal community up here, but as I say, they have improved considerably.’ (ML08, Female, Provider agency staff) Most agency staff reported an overall positive stakeholder response to the introduction of Indigenous ATAPS services, with only one reporting a mixed and another a disappointing response.
The Jewish People and Indigenous Resilience
This domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline is specifically for AI/AN peoples, offering culturally relevant support. “Some offer traditional healing clinics and most try to integrate culturally relevant care,” says Dr. Crouch. But even if there is a mental health pro in the area, affording care is another massive barrier since many AI/AN peoples are uninsured or underinsured, especially compared to other groups, says Dr. Crouch. Taking care of your mental health is never easy, but finding help can be even harder for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples. In 2021, Gone was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for “being a leading figure among Native American mental health researchers whose work on cultural psychology, historical trauma, Indigenous healing, and contextual factors affecting mental health assessment and treatment has been highly influential and widely recognized.” Joseph Gone, pictured in 2019, discussed research on integrating Indigenous healing practices in mental health care at a virtual Chan School event this week.
Strengthening primary health care to tackle racial discrimination, promote intercultural…
In a third study, trauma symptoms were statistically significantly lower immediately post-intervention and at 6 months (Varcoe et al., 2021). In the third study, distress was lower immediately post-intervention, but statistical significance was not calculated (Titov et al., 2019). In two pre–post studies, lower mean distress scores were statistically significant immediately post-intervention (Beckstead et al., 2015) and at 2- and 6-week post-intervention (Mathieson et al., 2012). The pre–post study measured a statistically significant decrease in scores immediately post-intervention using a measure for anxiety, panic and PTSD (Titov et al., 2019). One pre–post study with comparison group showed statistically significant lower depression scores immediately post-intervention (Tosa et al., 2018), but the other study did not (Sun and Buys, 2013b). In the three remaining pre–post studies, depression was reduced immediately post-intervention, but statistical significance was not provided (Bowen et al., 2020; Titov et al., 2019; Varcoe et al., 2017).
The Role of Historical Trauma in Shaping Mental Health Outcomes
By promoting community-level solutions to health and wellbeing, tribal communities may reclaim collective strength and effectiveness (Chino & DeBruyn, 2006). Further, familiarity with interconnections between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and the environment support Cultural humility resources for professionals Native worldviews of health and wellness (The National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda, 2016) that may be incorporated into care. Within mental health more generally, use of paraprofessionals from the community may increase professional capacity, help with acceptability of treatments (Filene, Kaminski, Valle, & Cachat, 2013; Mendenhall et al., 2014), contribute to increased uptake and retention, and enhance scale-up and sustainability of critical mental health interventions for underserved groups (Hoeft et al., 2018). If a community is located near Tribal Colleges and Universities (see U.S. Department of Education & the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, 2018), there may be points of collaboration to promote education and training of community mental health workers. Notably, community health workers reported their own positive health-promoting behavior changes as a result of participating in training and sharing this information with their families and local communities.
- Emerging research shows that music-based and embodied practices can reduce anxiety, increase mindfulness, and strengthen social and emotional support networks, particularly among Black Americans experiencing race based stress.
- Three of five studies examining psychological distress and two of four studies on the impact on stress showed statistically significant improvements.
- This systematic review examines measures of mental health service accessibility for Indigenous people, including the diversity of mental health services that are available to them and the barriers to accessing mental healthcare.
- Together, we can break down barriers, affirm dignity, and build a more inclusive path to mental health for all.