Supporting Native American and Alaska Native Mental Health
This page is regularly updated with new resources and information.
According to SAMHSA, nearly one fifth (18.7%) of Native American and Alaska Native adults experienced mental illness in 2019. Additionally, suicide rates amongst Native American and Alaska Native adolescents are over double the rate of white adolescents. This community faces many complicated, interrelated challenges that prevent them from receiving the mental health care they may need. Some of these factors may include trauma from wars, loss of land, forced removal from ancestral land, and mistrust of government services. Additional systemic barriers such as poverty, rural and isolated locations, language barriers, and lack of culturally competent care further isolate this community from accessing necessary services.
The list below contains a variety of mental health resources for the Native American and Alaska Native community, and for more information on culturally competent care, visit NAMI’s page about the Indigenous community and mental health.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives’s mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.
U.S. Office of Minority Health
The Office of Minority Health’s mission is to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.
One Sky Center
One Sky’s mission is to improve prevention and treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems and services among Native people.
Healthy Native Youth
Healthy Native Youth aims to promote positive youth development, embrace cultural teachings, and demonstrate evidence of effectiveness amongst American Indian and Alaska Native youth through their curriculum.
We R Native
We R Native aims to promote holistic health and positive growth by serving as a comprehensive health resource for Native youth.
Strong Hearts Native Helpline
The Strong Hearts Native Helpline’s mission is to restore power to Native Americans impacted by domestic and sexual violence by weaving together a braid of safety, sovereignty, and support.
Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute
The Center for Native American Youth’s mission is to improve the health, safety, and overall well-being of Native American youth through education and advocacy.
SAMHSA’s Circles of Care
Circles of Care is a program that supports Native children and families with severe emotional disturbances.
Center for for Medicare and Medicaid Services- American Indian/ Alaska Native
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services works closely with American Indian and Alaska Native communities and leaders to ensure access to culturally competent healthcare to eligible beneficiaries.
Mental Health America- Native and Indigenous Communities and Mental Health
Mental Health America provides an overview of data about the mental health of the Native and Indigenous community. MHA also has helpful resources for access to culturally competent care to appropriately serve the community.
Indigenous Story Studio
Indigenous Story Studio creates illustrations, posters, videos, and comic books surrounding health and social issues for Indigenous youth.
Comments are closed here.