Studies conducted by Beals et al. (2013a) and Ehlers et al. (2013) indicated that high-risk environments/communities (i.e. environments where there was an increase in poverty, violence and availability of illegal substances) contribute to trauma exposure and PTSD, of which no gender differences were identified (Beals et al., 2013a). With the exception of a handful of studies that were retrospective (Kettl and Bixler, 1993; May et al., 2002; Wexler et al., 2012; Caetano et al., 2013; Berman, 2014) and one that was longitudinal (Whitbeck et al., 2004), studies had cross-sectional quantitative design structures. Supplementary Table 1 reports the sample size, age range, main outcomes, gender included, region of research and identified risk and protective factors for each study. Indigenous peoples outside of the USA were excluded, given distinct histories of colonisation and political contexts. A hand search of reference lists of relevant studies was also conducted to locate additional published literature.
Data Availability Statement
Generations of medical exploitation and neglect have fostered justified distrust of healthcare, making engagement especially delicate. Each BIPOC community carries its own history, values, and stressors that influence mental health in distinct ways. Access to care remains a huge challenge, with fewer than 3 in 10 BIPOC community members able to get the support they need. This guide affirms those unique challenges and offers a practical toolkit for finding culturally competent care. While diverse in culture, history, and experiences, BIPOC communities often face a shared “double burden” that involves managing mental health concerns while simultaneously navigating the realities of racism.
The United States eventually created federally recognized reservations, in Canada these were called Reserves, many not on the indigenous sacred homelands. Having an accurate history of the colonization of the Americas is necessary in understanding the unique place in history of Indigenous peoples. In fact, it is perceived as marginalizing and insensitive to introduce an indigenous person as “half Navajo” when the person self-identifies simply as Navajo. Indigenous peoples may call themselves “American Indian,” Native American,” “First Nations” and “Indigenous.” Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians are included as well.
Traditional healing modalities
We conducted a narrative review which includes a scholarly summary, along with interpretation and critique33 on the topic of cultural health, using systematic methods to identity peer-reviewed papers. In doing so, our aim is to build a clearer understanding of the concept of ‘cultural health’. The aim of this narrative review was to document previous research that explores the intersection between culture and health/wellbeing in the context of Indigenous peoples and places. It is also expressed in understandings of the determinants of Aboriginal health, which comprise spiritual, environmental, ideological, political, social, economic, mental, and physical factors.8 Poorer health outcomes occur when one or more of these interrelating determinants are interrupted.19 In Australia, where this review is concentrated, Aboriginal conceptions of health are holistic, and include physical, mental, spiritual and cultural health and wellbeing.17 This view is found in the National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Party’s comprehensive definition of health,18 which advocates that life and death are cyclical.
- By examining Indigenous knowledge as a vital source of mental health resilience, this topic will delve into cultural practices, rituals, myths, and storytelling as therapeutic interventions.
- Included papers were categorised by source information (author, year, location) and overarching theme as related to cultural health (see Table 1 in Supplementary Materials).
- Although depression is the most frequently diagnosed problem among American Indians who present at mental health treatment facilities, it is easily misdiagnosed, and its relationships to other conditions such as alcoholism, antisocial behavior, physical illness, and grief, are not well understood.
Gone, Cultural humility resources for professionals for instance, could not experimentally test the effectiveness of the Blackfeet cultural immersion program or another program he helped launch later in Detroit. Reasons why include difficulties in securing funding, low participation rates and questions around the cultural appropriateness of using Western methodology to measure Indigenous psychology. Rigorous trials of these sorts of cultural treatment programs remain rare. She recounts a healing circle she ran earlier this year.
Using a systematic search procedure, we identified 27 studies that explored Indigenous populations’ mental health service access. Social workers can support Indigenous mental health by providing culturally sensitive practice, supporting community-led initiatives, and advocating for systemic change. By working together with Indigenous communities and adopting culturally sensitive practices, social workers can play a vital role in promoting mental health and wellbeing. Effective mental health interventions for Indigenous communities are often those that are community-led and culturally grounded.
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