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American Indian Mental Health

American Indian Mental Health. Jessica Gourneau, PhD & Angie Stratig, MSW LGSW American Indian Family Center. Medicine Wheel: Model of Wellness. Spiritual. Physical. Spirituality, culture & traditions, identity, ability to relax, living in harmony with other living beings, ceremonies.

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American Indian Mental Health

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  1. American Indian Mental Health Jessica Gourneau, PhD & Angie Stratig, MSW LGSW American Indian Family Center

  2. Medicine Wheel: Model of Wellness Spiritual Physical Spirituality, culture & traditions, identity, ability to relax, living in harmony with other living beings, ceremonies Health, safety, stability, housing, food, clothing, hygiene, nutrition, chemical awareness, sexuality Intellectual Emotional Education, employment, parenting, development, budgeting, historical awareness, problem solving Relationships, intimacy, communication, resolving conflict, emotional regulation, stress, chemical aware- ness, sexuality

  3. Extermination andColonization

  4. Areas of Focus Prayer Roles of Men Roles of Women Remove the children Prohibit native language Roles of Elders Impose religion, roles and language Introduce alcohol

  5. Desired Results of Colonization • Interrupt Balance and Harmony established by the traditions of the people you are colonizing • Confuse the Roles between the sexes • Interrupt connection between ancestors and future generations is lost • Break up Family structure • Change Community-based way of living to individualistic way of living • Create dependency on colonists for all physical needs

  6. Physical Alcohol addiction Poor diet: refined sugar, starches, “commodities” Poor health Inactive lifestyle Spiritual Alcohol addiction Internalized helplessness Connection to the Great Spirit is lost: lost ceremonies, identity, spirituality, traditions, etc. Harmony with the Earth lost Damage to Wheel

  7. Emotional Alcohol addiction Emotional detachment Behavior problems Self-hatred, invalidation Ability to cope with stress Attachment issues Intellectual Individualism vs. communal ways of life Learning disrupted: conflicting learning styles, values being taught, etc. Traditional parenting disrupted Lost language Damage to Wheel

  8. Identities • Low acculturation, “traditional” • Rebellious against norms of mainstream • Live as close to the way ancestors did as possible • “Walking in both worlds” • Dual status • Schizophrenic in nature • Highly acculturated • May have little connection to the community • Very connected to mainstream values and culture

  9. Considerations when working with American Indian children • Eye contact- not always considered appropriate • Traditional learning styles include an observation period, followed by a “learn by doing it” period • Community-based vs. individual-based • Saying “bye” • Traditional American Indian culture is much different than mainstream culture, so DO NOT MAKE ANY ASSUMPTIONS…. ASK!

  10. Contact Info Jessica Gourneau, PhD Therapist Angie Stratig, MSW LGSW Program Manager- Family Support American Indian Family Center 579 Wells St. St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 793-3803 Website: www.aifc.net

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