Search

Indigenous communities suffer from the highest rates of mental health disparities of any ethnic group in the United States, as well as experience significant amounts of historical and contemporary trauma including violence, racism, and childhood abuse. Unfortunately, the mental health workforce is unprepared to effectively work with this population due to the influence of stereotypes, bias, and lack of training. A 90-minute training for mental health agency employees using decolonizing methods was delivered to improve knowledge of and empathy for Indigenous patient populations (N = 166). Results indicated that the training increased participants’ Indigenous knowledge and beliefs across demographic variables and may increase aspects of empathy including awareness. This training was feasible for a wide variety of mental health employees and resulted in increased learning about Indigenous people, which is a critical starting point for mental health professionals working with this population. Suggestions are offered to train mental health providers to deliver culturally responsive care to Indigenous clients and families and for decolonizing mental health professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous youth suffer from high rates of comorbid mental and physical health disease. The purpose of this research was to evaluate an existing intervention aimed at empowering Indigenous youth, using a qualitative, community-based participatory research method. We completed focus groups with 23 program participants, and analysis revealed positive improvements in physical, emotional, social, and cultural domains. Participants noted that key social, familial, and cultural aspects of the intervention were most impactful for them. Informed by the participants' experiences, these findings offer guidance for developing interventions to reduce and/or prevent mental and physical health disparities for Indigenous youth and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The integration of behavioral health into medical care is related to positive results including improved patient health outcomes, provider satisfaction, and cost-offset. Indigenous people suffer from the highest health disparities in the nation and disproportionately experience barriers to health care; yet it is unknown if integrated care is effective for this population. Methods: A systematic literature review was completed on the state of integrated care at Indigenous-serving health care sites in 2014 and was updated in 2016. Three databases were selected (Eric, Medline, and PsycInfo) and keywords pertaining to an Indigenous population and integrated care services (e.g., Native American, American Indian, or First Nations with integrated care, primary care, or family medicine) were used. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, nine articles were selected out of the 2,889 articles found. Five additional articles were added in the 2016- update search. The selected articles were then evaluated using standards of integrated care. Results: The selected articles demonstrated wideranging and positive results including improved physical and mental health symptoms, reduced substance use, improvements in education and employment status, as well as a decreased involvement with the criminal justice system. It appears that interventions that additionally integrated culturally relevant health beliefs and practices experienced the largest gains in health outcomes. Discussion: Integrated care appears to be an intervention that can ameliorate these disparities by reducing stigma for those seeking care and providing coordinated care to prevent or reduce health care disparities in this population. While integrated care appears to be an effective system of care for Indigenous people, it must be noted that integration of local Indigenous health beliefs and practices is equally necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]