To ensure that those at risk for mental illnesses and related disorders receive proper, timely, and effective treatment, Mental Health America advocates on a national and local level to increase understanding of the importance of mental health. To better meet the therapeutic and psychological requirements of people of different races, ethnicities, and languages, MHA integrates tactics that are sensitive to cultural norms and practices.
· Population Growth/Social Problems
Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up around 1.3% of the total population of the United States or about 4.2 million people. There are even some Native American mental health beliefs that are unknown.
Native Americans speak more than 200 distinct languages, and there are 573 tribes officially recognized by the federal government.
The regions of the Midwest and the Western United States are home to the largest populations of Native Americans and other Indigenous peoples in the country. Over two-thirds of Native Americans now do not reside on reservations, instead choosing to make their homes in cities, suburbs, or rural regions outside of those designated for Native Americans.
Nearly twice as many Native and Indigenous Americans are poor as the whole U.S. population (14.7 percent) (26.6 percent). Native/Indigenous people had almost double the unemployment rate of whites in 2013.
· Aspects of Culture
Connectedness (with the past and with others), strong familial relationships, flexibility, oneness with nature, the wisdom of elders, significant traditions, and a strong spirit are all concepts central to many Native/Indigenous worldviews and may operate as protective factors for mental health in these communities.
· Prevalence
Statistics show that over a month, Native/Indigenous people in the United States are 2.5 times more likely to report having major psychological distress than the overall population.
Suicide rates among blacks are similar to those among whites as a whole, but there are significant differences between suicide rates among different age groups. Native/Indigenous American youth between the ages of 15 and 19 had more than double the suicide rate of non-Hispanic white youth in the United States.
Alcohol and drug addiction among America’s Native and Indigenous populations begin at much younger ages and greater rates than among any other racial or ethnic group in the country.
· Challenges in the Treatment
Native/Indigenous people have a wide range of beliefs and understandings concerning the causes and progression of mental illness. There is no clear delineation between physical and mental health issues, and Native/Indigenous people may show signs of emotional distress that defy conventional diagnostic classifications.
If a Native or Indigenous person meets the diagnostic criteria for a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, or drug misuse, they are considerably more likely to seek care from a spiritual and/or traditional healer rather than a specialist or other medical professional.
Many Native Americans and Indigenous peoples in the United States cannot afford medical care because of extreme poverty.
Many Native and Indigenous people may not seek treatment for mental health problems because they do not know about the available resources or because they cannot find clinicians or programs that are culturally competent.
