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 ("Indicators of well-being," 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, (2001), “Root cause of mental
health problems such as intergenerational 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 “(p.7
).
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 ("Indicators of well-being," 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, (2001), “Root cause of mental
health problems such as intergenerational 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 “(p.7
).
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. One risk factor is that males
are prone to attempt suicide previous to actually committing suicide. Drugs and
alcohol are major contributors, along with school problems, social isolation,
depression, poverty, unemployment, violence perpetration and victimization (Health
Canada, 2010, para.32). 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 if implemented
into the school curriculum to enhance the ability to cope with stress,
emotions, problem solving, interpersonal communications, and conflict
resolution. These measures help to promote confidence and self-esteem, as well as
provide the fundamentals to effectively deal with crisis and emotional conflict
(Health Canada, 2010, para.57).
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.
References
Health Canada, (2010). First nations and inuit health:
Acting on what we know (0900C2).
Retrieved from website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/contact/index-eng.php
Health Canada, (2011). New fact sheet: Addressing mental
illness. Retrieved from National Aboriginal Health Organization website: http://www.naho.ca/documents/naho/english/factSheets/mental_Health.pdf
Human Resources and Skills Development
Canada, (2006).Indicators of well-being in canadacanadians in context - aboriginal
population. Retrieved from
Statistics Canada website: http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=36
Simmie, S., & Nunes, J.
(2002). The last taboo a survival
guide to mental health. Toronto: Mc Clelland
& Steward Ltd.
Smye, V., & Mussell, B. (2001). Aboriginal
mental health:what works best.
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