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KISKÂYITAMAWIN MIYO-MAMITONECIKAN: KNOWING MIND FULLNESS. URBAN ABORIGINAL WOMEN & MENTAL HEALTH. Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence - PWHCE. Promoting social change through policy-based research in women’s health. Presentation Overview. Project Overview Findings
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KISKÂYITAMAWIN MIYO-MAMITONECIKAN: KNOWING MIND FULLNESS URBAN ABORIGINAL WOMEN &MENTAL HEALTH
Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence - PWHCE Promoting social change through policy-based research in women’s health
Presentation Overview • Project Overview • Findings • Recommendations/Policy Implications
Project Overview Introduction Methodology • Participants • Recruitment Research questions
Research questions • Key factors influencing mental health • Defining mental health • Awareness and/or use of resources • Mental health needs • Policy/program recommendations
Findings Key factors influencing Aboriginal women’s mental health • Childhood sexual abuse/violence • Child protection services • Racism/discrimination • Colonization/residential schools
Defining Mental Health What does mental health mean to Aboriginal women? “…continuum of mental illness, mental distress and mental wellness – where people flow back and forth…”
…the fostering of the body, of mind and emotions. Neglect one, it affects all. So, it’s holistic…
Resiliency, coping and self-care • Ad hoc support networks • Staying busy • Cultural practices and celebrations • Literature, studies and philosophy • Puzzles and games
Women supporting community networks I volunteered at the school and then ended up enjoying it. To feel good about myself, doing something.
Traditional Healing Supports and Relationships I used traditional healing, sweats, Elders. I stayed away from negative people. Smudging, prayer, a strong relationship with my mom.
Escapism for self-care …I won’t use drugs because it will kill me but it won’t kill me to read a book… …If I can struggle through that puzzle and complete it, it gives mea feeling of accomplishment…
Anonymity …I was too ashamed, I didn’t want nobody to know about me and what happened to me. They might not like me after and I won’t have no friends. I hate to be rejected…
Confidentiality and Trust ….I’d like to go to more groups but I have a fear of who is going to be there and who is going to talk about me after…
Process • waiting lists • diagnosis • referrals
Mental health resources • Need for coordination amongst mental health service providers • Need for more distribution of resources within the neighbourhood
Medication • Need for more than pills – therapy • Need for appropriate pills • Messages and beliefs around pills
Stigma • Internalized • Externalized
Aboriginal women envisage future program and policy development
Recommendations/policy implications • Examine how cultural (relationships) and structural (policy) level changes can be made to serve and support the mental health and well-being of Aboriginal women in the changing policy climate.
Recommendations/policy implications • Conduct research on the meaning and application of an Aboriginal lens when addressing the mental health and well-being of Aboriginal women.
Recommendations/policy implications • Reframe mental health services and supports so they mirror Aboriginal women’s realities, living conditions and aspirations for hope and recovery.
Recommendations/policy implications • Develop mental health services and supports from evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence
Contact information Roberta Stout Researcher, Aboriginal Women’s Health Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence 56 The Promenade Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H9 P: (204) 982-6632 F: (204) 982-6637 E: r.stout@uwinnipeg.ca W: www.pwhce.ca