Community-Based Mental Health Interventions for First Nations Men and Boys
2017
This case study features an effort between three friends from a First Nations (Native American) community in rural Canada to establish a mental health program for men and boys that respects and builds on traditional cultural values and beliefs. First Nations youth are five to six times more likely to commit suicide than non-indigenous youth, according to health data in Canada. Existing mental health interventions typically fail to consider socio-cultural traditions and stresses associated with racial inequity, poverty, and discrimination. This case offers a model for discussion in classes related to mental health policy, health and culture, First Nations or Native American culture, gender and health, and indigenous health care delivery systems. Lessons from this Canadian example could also apply to indigenous health care initiatives in other communities around the world.
The case includes guidance for instructors, including learning objectives and discussion questions. It is part of a 12-case collection written by students in the MPH class of the Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health at Western University, Canada. The cases may be copied and used free of charge without permission for any educational uses by an accredited educational institution.
Community-Based Mental Health Interventions for First Nations Men and Boys
Source:
Fournier J et al. “I Know There is Hope, Even in a World of Loss”: A Local Community-Based Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among First Nations Men and Boys. Western Public Health Casebook. Public Health Casebook Publishing 2017. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/westernpublichealthcases/vol2017/iss1/12.