First Nation’s Mental Health and Well Being

The First Nation’s people view of mental health and well-being is a holistic approach. This concept has not differed in the way they view mental health today than from the Pre-Contact Era before colonialism. But one thing that does differ is the state of their mental health and well-being in present time compared to before colonialism.

The Canadian Mental Health Association has defined mental health as “striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental” (Canadian Mental Health Association , 2012). I believe not only does this give meaning to what we believe mental health is for us today but it is what The Firsts Nations have always held true about their mental health and well-being. Today, First Nations people have the poorest health level in Canada; they have shorter life expectancies, and suffer from more chronic health conditions. (Canadian Mental Health Association: Ontario , 2012) Many factors contribute to these statistics such as poverty, unemployment, high rates of addictions, and suicide which cause physical, mental and spiritual imbalance. (Hill, 2009)

When we look back in history before the European settlers came to Canada, First Nation’s people linked personal, physical and mental health to the mental and physical well-being of the community. (Moran, 2010) People lived almost disease free and had good health and physical fitness. They self-healed their people through home remedies and practiced daily self-care. Some of their self-care and healing strategies were fasting, sweating, and eating and drinking herbs. (Hill, 2009) Many reasons why their mental health is so poor is connected to the long history of colonization, residential schools, discrimination, oppression and their loss of land, language and culture. (Canadian Mental Health Association: Ontario , 2012)

Restoring traditional healing practices as well as strengthening First Nation’s cultural identity, spirituality and community integration can be the first steps to improving the mental health and well-being of First Nation’s people today. (Hill, 2009)

 

- Amanda

 References

Ministry of Health. (2011). Retrieved October 18, 2012, from British Columbia : http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/misc/first_nations_healthguide.pdf

Canadian Mental Health Association . (2012). Canadian Mental Health Association . Retrieved October 18, 2012, from Canadian Mental Health Association : http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/your-mental-health/

Canadian Mental Health Association: Ontario . (2012). Aboriginal People/ First Nations . Retrieved October 18, 2012, from Canadian Mental Health Association: Ontario: http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/about_mental_health.asp?cID=23053

Hill, D. M. (2009). Traditional Medicine and Restoration of Wellness Strategies . Journal of Aboriginal Health, 26-42.

Moran, J. E. (2010). History of Madness and Mental Illness: A Short History of Care and Treatment in Canada. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from Caring Minds: Youth, Mental Health and Community : http://historyofmadness.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=109&lang=en