About the research in Indigenous Populations

Objectives: This study discusses the potential impact of the academic massive production on Indigenous Mental Health.Background: The world has been facing increasing suicide rates1. Considering the indigenous populations, rates can achieve 30 times the average for young men of the same country2. Beyond the typical suicideu2019 risk factors, aspects such as the intergenerational trauma, colonization, rapid social and cultural changes, and substance abuse play a major role in the rates of suicide among Indigenous populations3. In order to improve indigenous quality of life and prevent suicides, researchers have been engaging several studies in this field. In the last years, the number of studies concerning mental health (e.g. suicide and quality of life) among indigenous have been calling attention. The number of publications is compatible with the massive production of research papers imposed by an academic life (figure 1) however, there are critics about the risks of u2019overstudyingu2019 such small populations. There is an unanswered question about the safe levels to a person become subject of research.Materials and Methods: Literature review and critical analyses.Results, Discussion and Conclusions: There have been many critics of the massive academic production leading to poor or none impact on society. The indigenous people are not an exception of a population sometimes u2018overstudiedu2019 resulting in none, or even negative, impact4. Often living in health disadvantage, a vulnerable population might internalize the constant 'deficitu2019 assessments' as messages reducing expectations and aspirations5. When a small population is so massively researched, especially focusing on their impairments, the research per se might have a potentially, negative impact on mental health. This risk is hard to be evaluated, but cannot be unvalued. By guaranteeing the maintenance of the heritage, longterm' impact, knowledge transference, and indigenous participation in all phases of the research might put the balance back to the positive side of the research interventions.