Moving from Colonization toward Balance and Harmony: A Native American Perspective on Wellness

摘要: Current mental health practices appear to be largely ineffective in terms of meeting the needs many Native Americans (Graham, 2002; Weaver, 2004). According nationally representative survey data (N = 134,875), are significantly more likely indicate that they have unmet area care than white (Harris, Edlund, & Larson, 2005). Conversely, perceptions among African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics usually lower those Americans--often (Harris et al., The high level calls for some type explanation. In what might considered conventional hypothesis, higher perceived need is related existence rates challenges this population. Indeed, a substantial body research indicates prevalence rate it other populations (Beals 2005; Harris Kulis, Napoli, Marsiglia, Stiffman 2006; Thus, posited exist because magnitude scarcity resources. solution, according view, increase access professional service providers so can met. This however, based on premise lack sufficient providers. Yet recent, data, just as whites use services true experiencing one or symptoms well with serious illness. For instance, illness (n 161), roughly 61 percent had used absolute terms, was highest percentage usage groups surveyed. These suggest cannot attributed solely services. An alternative, critical viewpoint posits problem lies not degree but themselves. Professional often by One recent tribal members living four reservations 965) assessed effectiveness various types commonly address substance abuse problems (Walls, Johnson, Whitbeck, Hoyt, 2006). Of 21 assessed, provided were least effective. Services off-reservation social workers, most numerous United States, effective all. short, perhaps reason report needs--despite receiving relatively levels services--is simply do meet their needs. models ineffective. Yet, implied earlier, much existing scholarship supports, either implicitly explicitly, Western delivery. article provides an alternative viewpoint, positing therapeutic project inconsistent American cultures serves form colonization. We abandoning value-informed rebuilding helping process knowledge foundations. keeping goal, we offer relationally perspective which wellness results from complex interplay spirituality, physical status, cognitive emotional processes, environment. …