Chapter 10: Mental Health as Connected to the Whole Baskin

Definition

• Mental health is defined in Indigenous perspectives as holistic, including the well-being of spirit, body, emotions, and mind, and a sense of belonging to a culture or community​
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• The impacts of colonization, referred to as intergenerational, historical, or collective trauma, are the main causes of mental health challenges for Indigenous Peoples, with racism as a psychosocial stressor

Mental health means….

• Being happy ​

• Having a spirit that is not broken ​

• Peace of Mind ​

• Stable within oneself and family ​

• Being in the moment ​

• Being in balance

Indigenous views

• ndigenous views on mental health challenges emphasize that they exist within relationships rather than individuals, and positive mental health is maintained through respect, reciprocity, and responsibility​

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• Indigenous communities are on a healing journey focused on community empowerment and self-determination, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical and mental health​

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• Suicide rates among Indigenous youth are influenced by the level of self-determination in their communities, and resources should be directed to those in need rather than assuming a uniform risk across all communities

Indigenous views

• Cultural continuity and the practice of one's culture are significant strengths that contribute to lower suicide rates and higher school completion rates in Indigenous communities​

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• Indigenous knowledge regarding mental health well-being includes concepts such as listening, community emphasis, empowerment, and recognizing the spiritual aspect of healing

Indigenous knowledge regarding mental health well-being Research with Indigenous Elders by Mehl- Madrona (2009)

1. Genuinely listen ​

2. Incorporate a relational model of the self ​

3. Help communities find their own solutions ​

4. Know that people can heal themselves ​

5. Place emphasis on the community ​

6. Use own experiences to help relate to others ​

7. Be passionate and care about the work you do ​

8. Maintain some independence from politics ​

9. Remember hope, faith and the power of the mind ​

10. Focus on empowerment over treatment ​

11. Recognize the teachings and messages that come from difficult experiences ​

12. All healing is spiritual healing

Tensions

• Tensions between Indigenous and mainstream approaches to mental health arise from mainstream society denying responsibility for the conditions that cause mental health challenges for Indigenous Peoples​

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• Indigenous women face barriers in accessing mainstream mental health services, including lack of confidentiality and trust, fear of losing their children, cookie-cutter approaches, lack of training, waiting lists, lack of validation, medication issues, stigma, and racism

Coming together

• Collaboration between clinical and Indigenous approaches to mental health can be beneficial for Indigenous Peoples and communities, based on the author's personal experiences as a service user and provider​

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• Mainstream mental health services should be willing to collaborate with Elders in Indigenous communities and support capacity building for sustainable mental health structures

suggestions

• Recommendations for Indigenous and non-Indigenous mental health workers include: listening to communities, highlighting protective factors for children and youth, raising awareness in ways that community members understand, etc.​

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• The diversity among Indigenous Peoples should be recognized and respected, as individuals may express themselves in various ways, combining Indigenous traditions with mainstream practices