Culture and family based treatment intertwined is the best approach to improve mental health in indigenous families and communities. Mental health includes our psychological and emotional well-being that influence our social life. The psychological side of it affects how we think and feel about things that determine our actions on how we handle ourselves or a situation. A person’s mental health is developing as they continue to grow older, mental health is present in every stage of development.
Mental health is slowly becoming an important topic due to the media reporting on deaths and violence initiating from a person who has been suffering with mental illness. While this is important for media to capture to help bring mental health awareness, the media also has helped create negative stigma around mental health that prevents those needs helping seek the help and treatment that is needed. Untreated mental health illness will start to affect how the family functions at home and their relationships among each other. Research shows that living in poverty has greater risk for developing mental health illness associated with emotional and behavioral issues (DeCarlo-Santiago et al., 2011Russell, et al, 2016: Spencer et at., 2002.). Individuals living in lower socioeconomic status have higher rates for depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide or attempts, drug and alcohols abuse (Newacheck et al., 2003).
Karol Kumpfer has done numerous research with family based programs and is the co-founder of the Strengthening Family Program, The Strengthening family program is more beneficial than individually based programs. The program was modified from the generic version to be more culturally appropriate by including cultural practices for African American, American Indians, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islander. By including culture in to the program, it improved children’s behaviors and risk factors as well as increasing retentions for African American drug abusing mothers who completed the program (Karol L.K., Alvarado, R., Smith, P., Bellamy, N. (2002) Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptions in Family-Based Prevention Intervention. Prevention Science. Vol. 3 (3). p241–246).
Another research article identified that historical trauma is one of the causes of alcohol and substance use. Research was conducted to explore various ways culture can be implemented in native communities using a holistic approach and by modifying western practices or models of treatment. The method used was collecting qualitative data from interviews from 21 administrator and 15 focus groups from 18 treatment programs that serviced Alaskan Natives and American Indians. Their research revealed that many of the programs had core beliefs and values that included family involvement, community, relationships, holistic care and flexibility to treatment (Rupinder, K.L, Novins, D., (2012) The Role of Culture in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Psychiatric Services. Vol 63 (7). 627-724).
Children are ultimately in the hands of their parents or caregivers, they have some control in the development and wellbeing of their family. If parents can prevent or improve mental health issues not only within themselves but within the family as well then the cycle of generational trauma would come to an end. Healthy relationships will flourish by improving communication among each other within the family, family will have a sense of feeling safe and heard.
Preventive measures must also be taken into consideration such as parenting classes, counseling, searching for financial resources to help ease financial burdens that cause stress. Establish a stable household by having consistency in income, rules and communication. Improving communication and relationships can include believing in each other, recognizing and praising one another from the little accomplishes to the big positive changes. Show interest in each other, knowing where children are at. Practice nurturing parenting skills by giving them emotional support. Ethnic identity helps build confidence, sense of belonging, pride (Cokely.227) and is a protective factor against bullying and racism. Resiliency is created when families or individuals encounter challenges and learn how to cope with the stress and find solutions.
Educating parents on child development and how their child’s development is either affected or influenced by their cultural surrounding is great tool for parenting and promoting good mental health and healthy relationships. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model is a great way to see and understand how their child is affected or influenced by the environment around them.
Learning how to use traditional cultural practices as a tool to combat stress. Believing in a higher being, having faith in religion assists in alleviating stress though prayers. In indigenous culture using medicinal medicines such as herbs to also help to regulate and alleviate stress. Traditional practices such as gardening, hunting and early morning runs contribute and promote good physical health. These practices also aid in decreasing chronic health conditions associated with prolonged stress.
By focusing on improving mental health in indigenous families with an emphasis and integration of culture we are aiding to promote good mental health and building resiliency in not just one person but the entire family.