Aboriginal Mental Health: Suicide Prevention in Aboriginal Youth in Canada

In many Aboriginal and Indigenous societies, health meant balance of body, mind and spirit. The recent debate about mental health among Aboriginal people has prompted researchers, medical professionals and students to try to understand Aboriginal health. This research aimed to reverse historical and contemporary issues. The pervasive nature of this problem is reflected in the high rates of poisoning, suicide, conflicting laws, poverty, marginalization, violence and oppression among Aboriginal people living in Canada. Mental health is the foundation of human well-being and without it it is difficult to stay healthy. Empirical and qualitative evidence from the literature suggests that critical link between a person’s cultural history and healthy well-being.

The Aboriginal and First Nation populations try to maintain their cultural values and at the same time are determined to use modern knowledge for survival. The current health interventions are different from the First Nation. The historical legacies are the main challenge to addressing Aboriginal and First Nation’s mental health issues. The resources, networks, diversity-oriented and culturally appropriate intervention lack among the Aboriginal. Therefore, it is important to view Aboriginal cultures holistically and allow both the Western and traditional cultural practices in mental health interventions. Revitalization of the practices in the United States and Canada is gaining research and increased literature in the field. The paper contains annotated bibliography that lists down different research on cultural interventions towards mental health, healing, and well-being among the Aboriginal.

Catalano, R., Berglund, M. Ryan J., Loneczak, H. & Hawkins, D. (2002). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Prevention and treatment Article 15. Retrieved on March 5, 2017, from http:///journal.apa.org/prevention/volume/pre0050015a.html

The authors offer the thorough examination of ‘positive youth development programs’ in the United States. The article defined positive youth programs and located through search evaluations of the program and summarized the outcomes. The policy makers, prevention scientist, and health practitioners must change the approach used in addressing youth issues in the country. The authors argued that efforts geared towards opportunity creation for the youth will help in engagement and enhancement of the programs in the social settings. The country can offer the program through recreational centers and schools. Such settings will help engagement in meaningful life skills and physical fitness training thus improve the social interactions. The participants of the program gain quality and quantitative skills that foster bonding and resilience. Consequently, the participants develop a clear and definite identity that supports positive opportunities and behavior required in the pro-social involvement.

Connor, E (September 1999).The role of spirituality in wellness or how well we can see the whole will determine how well we are and how we can be.

Paper presented at the meeting of the Native Mental Health Association of Canada, Saskatoon, SK.

The author considered the Aboriginal thoughts and how they relate with other creation of the world. The paper indicates the aboriginals view of the world and interaction changed after the invasion by the European settlers. The acculturation process (change in feelings, beliefs, actions, lifestyle and thoughts accompanying another culture) helped in disconnecting the Aboriginal from how they first viewed the world. Conner pointed out the pitfalls of adopting the worldview thus more of the Aboriginal population is continually adapting to the scientific view of the world and new styles of livings. Consequently, the population continues to become unhealthy and unbalanced. In the paper, Conner indicates that strategies used to address the poor mental health among Aboriginal can be guided by the environmental paradigm resembling key elements of a holistic view of the world. The health program must aim at explaining the disease and illness at a personal level incorporating all aspects of the environment. The adoption of the paradigm does not mean reverting to traditional healing methods. Rather, the approach will incorporate traditional teachings in fighting diseases through guidance from the environmental paradigm.

Edwards, N., Alaghehbandan, R., MacDonald, D., Sikdar, K., Collins, K., & Avis, S. (January 01, 2008). Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador: a linkage study using medical examiner and vital statistics data. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie, 53, 4, 252-9.

The objectives of the research were to compare suicide rates among Aboriginal communities living in Labrador including Southern Inuit, Inuit, Innu and the population of Newfoundland in Canada. The study involved Aboriginal governments in understanding suicide mortality from 1993 -2008. The survey used statistics from Vital Death Database that linked well with Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The researchers consulted the youth, elders, mental health staff, policy makers and clinicians. The Labrador region recorded higher suicide rates compared to Newfoundland. The greatest affected age group was between 10 -19 years with the males accounting for the majority of the deaths. An increased risk of suicide attempts was associated with female sex, single status, teenagers and young adult, and low educational levels. Death in Labrador affects Innu and Inuit population disproportionately.

Braveheart-Jordan, M. & DeBruyn, L. (2005). So She May Walk in Balance: Integrating the Impact of Historical Trauma in the Treatment of Native American Indian Women. In J. Adleman& G. M. Enguidanos (Eds.), Racism in the Lives of Women: Testimony, Theory, and Guides to Antiracist Practice. New York: Haworth Press.

The impact traumatic historical events on the indigenous people of the Americas by European cultures have powerful implications for clinical interventions among the Aboriginal people. The western culture invasion caused genocide and oppression causing multigenerational trauma. The historical trauma explains the Lakota/ Dakota found in the Northern Plains which relate to unresolved grief. The primary focus was on the essentials of integrating the concept of historical trauma and traditional cultural perspectives into the therapeutic content of clinical interventions with Native American Indian women. Counter-transference and transference issues were addressed and the meaning of becoming a culturally competent clinical officers. It was cautioning to clinicians not to use feminist theories and disregarding historical and cultural factors important to Indian women. It was import to address the psycho-educational groups’ effectiveness. The semi-structured groups and women empowerment model helped in coping skills development.

Chansonneuve, D. (2007). Addictive behaviors among Aboriginal people in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

The article offers detailed information about drug addiction menace, theories about causes and evidence-based best practices in drug problem treatment and prevention. The article explored five different methods approach to addition among the Aboriginal. The article framed the different context of the Aboriginal culture that includes addictive behavior, history, culture and impacts of collective health. The article addressed the addictive behavior types, types of healing models and the role of culture. Aboriginal had traditional approaches to addiction prevention, cultural teachings, and recovery from addiction. However, the traditional methods are ineffective and need modern therapist intervention to minimize suicides related to drug addiction.

Moniruzzaman, A., Pearce, M.E., Patel, S.H., Chavoshi, N., Teegee, M., Adam, W., et al. (2009). ,e Cedar Project: Correlates of attempted suicide among young Aboriginal people who use injection and non-injection drugs in two Canadian cities. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 68, 261–73.

The article describes suicide attempts prevalence and the drug substance abuse. It is evident that suicide attempts correlate well with vulnerable Aboriginal people addicted to drugs. The research was based on the context of historical trauma. The American Indians lost lives, land, and culture after the European invasion and colonization. Consequently, there has been the unresolved long legacy of chronic trauma and their grief. Trauma cause social pathology such as domestic violence, homicide, suicide, child abuse and drug additional among the Native Americans. The alcohol drinkers and smokers were likely to live with other people with the same problem. The drug abusers had a long history of legal issues and experienced higher levels of convictions. The people spend time in jail, or probation and parole. The author describes the western treatment modalities in combination with traditional cultural methods for grieving and healing from the mental disturbances and trauma.

Conclusion

The Canadian government established the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention programs to allow a holistic view of physical, cultural, spiritual and mental health. The intervention program tries to address the historical grief among the Aboriginal by giving hope. The interventions focus on building healthy communities through integrated and community-focused approach to suicide prevention. The programs engage the local Aboriginal community in using culturally appropriate methods in identifying and responding to the vulnerable people in the community. Youth suicide prevention strategies are tailored to the needs of the individual indigenous men and women. The programs help in resilience development thus enhancing mental health and connectedness with the native’s cultural practices. The program is helpful to the caregivers. The caregivers have the opportunity to develop cultural competence and other skills required in mentoring and giving the necessary support to the clients.

References

Braveheart-Jordan, M. &DeBruyn, L. (2005). So She May Walk in Balance: Integrating the Impact of Historical Trauma in the Treatment of Native American Indian Women. In J.Adleman& G. M. Enguidanos (Eds.), Racism in the Lives of Women: Testimony, Theory and Guides to Antiracist Practice. New York: Haworth Press.

Catalano, R., Berglund, M. Ryan J., Loneczak, H. & Hawkins, D. (2002). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Prevention and treatment Article 15. Retrieved on March 5, 2017 From http:///journal.apa.org/prevention/volume/pre0050015a.html

Chansonneuve, D. (2007). Addictive behaviors among Aboriginal people in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Connor, E. (September, 1999). The role of spirituality in wellness or how well we can see the whole will determine how well we are and how we can be. Paper presented at the meeting of the Native Mental Health Association of Canada, Saskatoon, SK.

Edwards, N., Alaghehbandan, R., MacDonald, D., Sikdar, K., Collins, K., & Avis, S. (January 01, 2008). Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador: a linkage study using medical examiner and vital statistics data. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie, 53, 4, 252-9.

Moniruzzaman, A., Pearce, M.E., Patel, S.H., Chavoshi, N., Teegee, M., Adam, W., et al. (2009). ,e Cedar Project: Correlates of attempted suicide among young Aboriginal people who use injection and non-injection drugs in two Canadian cities. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 68, 261–73.