Finding balance

 

 

Anishnaabek views on mental illness differ significantly from those of European views. I decided to focus on how Anishnaabek perceive mental illness in the pre-contact era and how they coped with it using traditional healing.

I found it very interesting to read about the Anishnaabek views on mental illness and how their approach diverges with European views on the topic. The term mental illness is a European idea; they believe mental illness was caused a disease or sickness in the brain (Foerschner, 2010). In contrast, since the pre-contact era, the Anishnaabek believed it meant being out of balance (Morrissette, 2007). The medicine wheel has four concepts that it focuses on which are mental, physical, emotional and spiritual (Bopp & Bopp, 2011). Each part has an equal portion in the circle, so for Anishnaabek it meant that if one part was out of balance, then it affected the other aspects. Keeping a balance of all four parts would help ensure a healthy life (Morrissette, 2007). I believe this is a very important and valuable approach to mental health. When someone was in need of restoring balance, a traditional healer would assist them as well as spiritual counselors (Connors & Maidman, 2001). In my view, this provides a more supportive, comprehensive approach to helping people.

Traditional healing methods consisted of a variety of things such as “activities, from physical cures using herbal medicines and other remedies, to the promotion of psychological and spiritual well-being using ceremonies, counseling and the accumulated wisdom of Elders” (Martin-Hill, 2010, p.2). Everyone was part of their community and they would accept each other (Morrissette, 2007).  Therefore, healing circles were done in order to have the whole community involved. Also, ceremonies were used to help cleanse the mind and body and discharge any negative feelings such as sadness (Connors & Maidman, 2001). I believe this would provide an opportunity to openly deal with negative feelings in a reassuring, positive environment. The Anishnaabek believed that by having a clear mind they would be able to connect better with their Creator and focus on their own spiritual power within (Connors & Maidman, 2001). Anishnaabek peoples used a holistic approach when viewing the world (Martin-Hill, 2010), which meant that they looked at the whole picture and then circle symbol used in the medicine wheel meant that everything was connected (Bopp & Bopp, 2011).  

I enjoyed reading the Anishnaabek approaches to dealing with mental illness such as the use of healing circles and ceremonies to cleanse the mind and body. I also believe that these approaches would be beneficial to everyone not just to the Anishnaabek.

In conclusion the Anishnaabek use different techniques to restore balance such as healing circles and ceremonies. A Holistic approach was used when viewing the world and they believed that everything was connected. I think this approach is more compassionate, inclusive and effective than many of the approaches used by other cultures.

Kristen

References

Bopp, J., & Bopp, M. (2001). Recreating the World: A practical guide to building sustainable

communities. Cochrane, AB: Four Worlds Press.

Connors, E., & Maidman, F. (2001). A circle of healing: Family wellness in Aboriginal

communities. In Prompting family wellness and preventing child maltreatment: Fundamentals for thinking and action (pp. 349-395). Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press Incorporated. Retrieved October 11, 2012, from http://books.google.ca/books?hl=

en&lr=&id=PnzsEUlD0TYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA349&dq=precontact+anishinaabe+mental+health&ots=cyuD20D_Sr&sig=6fvTXlkXGDogVtmjnhoD74wn1rE#v=onepage&q&f=false

Foerschner, A. (2010). The history of mental illness: From skull drills to happy pills.

Student Pulse: Online academic student journal, 2 (9), 1. Retrieved October 14, 2012, from http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/283/the-history-of-mental-illness-from-skull-drills-to-happy-pills

Martin-Hill, D. (2010). Traditional medicine. Journal of Aboriginal Health, 6 (1), 2-3.

Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:

K7gDilYv6ngJ:scholar.google.com/+precontact+anishinaabe+mental+health&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5

Morrissette, V. (2007). Towards an Aboriginal perspective that addresses ideological domination

in social policy analysis. Unpublished thesis, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba Retrieved from:  http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.auc.ca/pqdtft/docview/ 304786503/138F2ABB37457280BC5/1?accountid=46683

Picture

Retrieved October 11, 2012 from http://www.google.ca/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&qscr

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