Title: American Indian & Alaskan Native Mental Health — NoStigmas
Headings: American Indian & Alaskan Native Mental Health
American Indian & Alaskan Native Mental Health
Overview
Mental Health
Mental Health Status, Services, and Disparities
Protective Factors
Barriers to Care
How Can We Fix This?

Content: Their beliefs and theories about mental illness and how it develops may not align with standard diagnostic categories and criteria. American Indians who meet the criteria for depression, anxiety or substance abuse are significantly more likely to seek help from Traditional/Spiritual Healers than from specialists or other medical sources
Traditional health systems focus on balancing the mind, body, and spirit within a community context
Their focus is not on single parts of the body but rather treating the individual as a whole
Only 11-13% of AI/AN seek out professional mental health care when dealing with behavior/emotional mental health problems
Some research has found that an above average amount to Native American do seek out mental health services for alcohol and substance use
Protective Factors
Although American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a long history of oppression and mental illness there are many built in protective factors within their community that may help to combat the progression of mental health problems. These protective factors include: Strong identification with culture
Strong connection with family and community
Connection with the past
The wisdom and guidance of elders within the community
Because of the strong community connections and group identification within the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities there is an abundance of community support for individuals dealing with mental health problems
Barriers to Care
Although the Native American and Alaskan Native communities have built in support systems they still experience barriers to care and challenges to their health and wellbeing that interfere with access to treatment and the willingness to pursue treatment even where it is offered. Some of the challenges to health and well-being that Native American and Alaskan Natives face are: A long history of alcohol misuse and abuse within the community and culture. Strong, and resilient cultures make it harder to accept change. There are often clashes between AI/AN and non-AI/AN views of mental health causes and treatment. There is a history of communal trauma and oppression. A lack of awareness about mental health issues and services and strong stigma associated with mental illness.