Indigenous/Native American Mental Health Resources

THIS IS PART OF july’s “OUR PUBLIC MEMORY” July Intellectual PIES practice on Politicizing our Experiences. IF YOU MISSED THIS NEWSLETTER, READ IT HERE.

Mental Health America noted more than 18% of the Indigenous people in the United States experienced a mental health condition in the last year. Colonization and genocide robbed them of their land and people, so many now live in poverty. This is a huge barrier to access for mental health treatment. 

For more on the impact of colonialization and how our current mental health system fails Indigenous people, read and follow the work of Dr. Autumn Asher BlackDeer, MSW, a decolonialization scholar and assistant professor at the University of Denver. .

We reached out to different organizations that focus and uplift the Indigenous community about mental health resources.

A very special thanks to the team at All My Relations podcast for selecting several episodes that deal with wellness, healing and health. Also a big thank you to Native Americans For Community Action Inc. in Arizona for sending us events in their area.

All My Relations podcast episodes

  • All My Loving Relations which speaks to relational wellness and Indigenous love. This episode features Geraldine King (Anishinaabe) a member of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek and Jillene Joseph of the Native Wellness Institute.

  • Healing the Land IS Healing Ourselves discusses the connection with the land, and features Kim Smith (Diné). She tells us about her 1200+ mile journey with Nihígaal Bee Lina (Journey For Existence) which walked to all of the sacred mountains of her people

  • Whole Family Wellness speaks to how we care for our families and selves. Well For Culture founders Thosh Collins (WhaZhaZi, Haudenosaunee and O’otham) and Chelsea Luger (Anishinaabe & Lakota) cover an indigenous approach to prenatal, baby, postpartum, fatherhood, and a whole family approach

Native Americans for Community Action programs (AZ)

Reach UR Life Program will be hosting a Youth Gona from July 27th-29th at Puente de Hozho. This is open to all community members 13-18 years old. Register here.

Health Promotion is hosting the 2022 Spring into Summer Hiking Series, which takes place at 7:30 am on the last Saturday of the month now through September. Register here.

Oak Creek Overlook Program is hosting a Native American Artisan Market, which is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, as weather permits. Located off Highway 89a, the market is 17 minutes south of Flagstaff and 25 minutes north of Sedona.

Williesha Morris