Aboriginal Mental Health

            When looking at Aboriginals Peoples of Canada, one must consider that this population consists of (698,025) First Nations people, (389,780) Metis, and (50,480) Inuit approximately 1,172,785 people or 3.8% of the total population of Canada (Census, 2006). Aboriginal perspective on mental health is healing by medicine wheel teachings, understanding the four directions, finding their purpose of being through cultural activities, healing lodges, and treats the individual with a more holistic approach. Health and well-being include all the four aspects of human nature: physical, mental, emotional and especially our spiritual being. The profile of mental health disorders in Aboriginal people is primarily a by-product of our colonial past with regards to layered assaults on culture and personal identities. According to Smye & Mussell “Root cause of mental health problems such as inter-generational trauma, poverty, unemployment, and lack of housing need to be addressed alongside the consequent mental health issues, that is, depression, substance use, abuse, PSTD, and anxiety disorders “(2001).

            Traditional Western perspective treats the consumer with medication, psychotherapy and sometimes the family is not included with the treatment options unless the consumer signs consent due to legal and ethical obligations regarding confidentiality (Simmie & Nunes, 2001). Traditional Western medicine often looks at mental illness as an individual illness or a disease of the mind and most individuals feel that it fails to recognize their unique and distinct needs (Simmie & Nunes, 2001). Most people find that navigating through the system is difficult and challenging in order to seek help for most consumers they end up on long waiting lists in order to get a doctors referral to a psychiatrist.  

            Some of the Issues relating to suicide are rapid culture change, forced assimilation and marginalization. Risk factors include males are prone to attempt suicide previous to actually committing suicide. Drug and alcohol is a major contributor as well as school problems, social isolation, depression, poverty, unemployment, violence victimization and violence perpetration (Acting on What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations, 2010, p.47). Prevention programs are introduced through the implementation of native oriented programs beginning from childhood throughout teen to adulthood. Healing in communities is crucial and should begin in school based strategies. These strategies would be beneficial and effective implemented into the school curriculum to enhance the ability to cope stress, emotions, problem solving, interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. These measures help to promote confidence, self-esteem and the fundamentals to effectively deal with crisis and emotional conflict (Acting on What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations, 2010, p.50).

Looking at this issue from conservative ideology individual freedom is more important than social equality; individuals should be responsible for their own lives. Policies that encourage dependency on the state should be avoided. How can this ideology address the needs of mental health when it clearly states individuals are responsible for themselves?

I think the Socialism ideology better suits the needs of mental illness because it acknowledges social and economic equality as the most important values and systemic discrimination based on gender, race and ethnicity is eliminated through government policies. Personal dignity depends on social and economic equality.  

Thanks Allison 

References

            Acting on What We Know: Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations.www.sprc.org/…acting –what-we-know-preventing-youth-sucide-first-nations.

Statistics Canada. Projections of the Aboriginal Populations, Canada, Provinces and Territories 2001 to 2017. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2005 (Cat. No. 91-547-XIE).

Statistics Canada. Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Metis and First Nations, 2006 Census. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2008 (Cat. No. 97-558-XIE).

National Aboriginal Health Organization. New Fact Sheet: Addressing Mental Illness, March, 25, 2011//naho//posted in What’s New at NAHO.

Vicki Smye & Bill  Mussell, July, 2001.Aboriginal Mental Health: What Works Best. A Discussion Paper.

Scott Simmie & Julia Nunes, 2001, 2002.The Last Taboo A Survival Guide to Mental Health in Canada.