Supporting Native American and Alaska Native Mental Health
This page is regularly updated with new resources and information.
The Native American (Turtle Island; First Nations) and Alaska Native communities include people with varying experiences from several different nations. While these terms generally refer to communities that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, it is crucial to understand that there is no universal identity of experience across the community.
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 communities. For more information on culturally competent care, visit NAMI’s page about the Indigenous community and mental health.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Mental Health and Crisis Support:
Native and Strong
Native and Strong is an offshoot of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline specifically for Native populations. To access Native and Strong, call 988 and press 4.
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.
National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide
NOPCAS serves as the only national organization of its kind addressing the issue of suicide prevention and intervention, specifically in communities of color
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides resources and support specifically tailored for Native and Indigenous communities regarding suicide prevention and mental health.
One Sky Center
One Sky’s mission is to improve the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems and services among Native people.
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 communities. MHA also has helpful resources for access to culturally competent care to appropriately serve the community.
SAMHSA’s Circles of Care
Circles of Care is a program that supports Native children and families with severe emotional disturbances.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a non-profit nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing middle and lower-income level individuals, couples, families, and children with access to affordable psychotherapy and mental health education services. (cost range from $30-$60 for individual sessions).
The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)
The NQTTCN focuses on providing mental health resources and advocacy for queer and trans people of color, offering a directory of culturally competent practitioners who understand and respect their diverse identities and experiences.
Health and Wellness:
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.
Center 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.
Youth Services:
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.
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.
Indigenous Story Studio
Indigenous Story Studio creates illustrations, posters, videos, and comic books surrounding health and social issues for Indigenous youth.
Healing from Racial Trauma:
The Center for Healing Racial Trauma
The Center for Healing Racial Trauma offers services and trainings designed to heal racially/ethnically marginalized people from Racism.
The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond
The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) focuses on understanding what racism is, where it comes from, how it functions, why it persists, and how it can be undone. “Our workshops utilize a systemic approach that emphasizes learning from history, developing leadership, maintaining accountability to communities, creating networks, undoing internalized racial oppression, and understanding the role of organizational gatekeeping as a mechanism for perpetuating racism.”
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