Indigenous Communities Living with Mental Health

       

 

          In Canadian history there is a violent history of colonial projects interfering with the indigenous communities within our country. These projects have interfered with the several aboriginal communities in several different ways over the course of centuries, residential schools being a prime example of this (Leeuw et. all 2010). From research I have found that the four main issues surrounding the aboriginal communities include residential schools, suicide or mental health, abuse, and substance abuse. In this entry I have chosen to focus on the mental health aspect.

            The interference of colonial projects throughout history has been linked with the elevated rates of addiction, as well as mental health issues among the aboriginal population throughout Canada (Leeuw et. all. 2010). These issues are becoming a growing concern amongst these communities as addiction, mental health, and suicide rates are rising. Many of Canada’s indigenous population are alarmingly in this day and age still living in what we generally refer to as third world conditions. Some also refer to this as ‘third world conditions of health’ or ‘embodiment of inequality’ (Adelson 2005). The conditions that these aboriginals are living in cause higher rates of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, as well as death at younger ages than those rates of the non-aboriginal population. When the issues are examined further it has been noted that aboriginal peoples whom live on reserves opposed to off reserves also experience lower education, high unemployment rates, and lower levels of income all of which can be linked to factors contributing to poor mental health states, as well as higher rater of mental health due to illness (Leeuw et. all. 2010).

            In the early 2000’s a regional health survey was done with results showing that aboriginal people who lived off reserve compared to non-aboriginals also living off reserves who are aged 15 and over were twice as likely to suffer from a major depressive episode over the span of 12months. Aboriginal females showed a rating of 37.1% while aboriginal males showed 18.1% (NAHO 2002), the results of non-aboriginals was not listed. As well studies have shown that a majority of the indigenous population who attend one of the several residential schools in Canada suffered from a mental health disorder which was directly related to the time they spent within the schools (Corrado, and Cohen 2003). The main mental health disorders that were found amongst this population include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depression, and Substance Abuse.

            It is widely believed that the appropriate way to approach the issue of mental health disorders amongst the indigenous communities across Canada is to use a holistic approach from a social determinants perspective. It is agreeable that this approach is beneficial due to the given history of colonial projects. The indigenous community has suffered great loss in terms of their traditions, and culture through projects like the residential schools. Only by looking at the ways society and social factors have impacted these communities will one be able to openly begin to understand and find ways to help the healing process.

Referances:

Leeuw, Greenwood, Cameron. (April 2009). Mental Health Addictions . In Deviant Constructions: How Governments Preserve Colonial Narratives of Addictions and Poor Mental Health to Intervene into the lives of Indigenous Children and Families in Canada. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2012, from 8:282-295.

Mussel, Cardiff, White. (2004). Children's Mental Health Policy Research Program. In The Mental Health and Well-Being of Aboriginal Children and Youth: Guidance for New Approaches and Services. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2012, from 1:9: p. 1-48.

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Erica