Key Cause Of Metal Health Issues In Aboriginal People
Metal health issues in Aboriginal peoples are all strongly tied to the process of colonialism and impact of displacement from land, family, loss of culture and traditional practices, hence this disconnect from spiritual, cultural and physical heritage led to disempowerment of many Aboriginal peoples and subsequently results in the maladaptive behaviours such as substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide and interpersonal violence (Alfred, 2009). Similarly, colonial experiences have led to the mistrust of the dominating western culture, also the loss of cultural continuity, hiding cultural beliefs and practices have led to feelings of alienation, shame and despair influencing the mental health of generations of Aboriginal people (Howard, 2010).
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According to Elias et al.
(2012) the residential School System disrupted family and community structures, and set in motion a cycle of trauma manifesting in numerous metal health issues with high reports of depression, abuse, suicide, family violence particularly targeted towards women and children, and other related behaviours among survivors. The residential school syndrome is a key cause of metal health issues among Aboriginal people and it is a form of post traumatic stress disorder experienced by survivors and descendants of the residential school system due to sexual and physical abuse as well as the emotional and psychological trauma of displacement and separation from the community, culture and family (Douglas, 2014, p.204). This associates with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) in Aboriginal people and has similar underlying risk factors and primarily occurs due to social isolation, family history of alcohol, reduced prenatal and postnatal care services access that influences prenatal exposure to drugs, smoking and alcohol (Douglas, 2014,
p.205).
Although social determinants of health, such as poverty, unemployment, housing and food security, social exclusion and discrimination experienced by Aboriginal people increases the burden of mental health among this population, a holistic approach to mental health healing that involves cultural continuity and self determination can impact the intergenerational effects of colonization for the psychological well-being of Aboriginal communities (Boksa, Ridha, & Kirmayer, 2015).
According to Elias et al.
(2012) the residential School System disrupted family and community structures, and set in motion a cycle of trauma manifesting in numerous metal health issues with high reports of depression, abuse, suicide, family violence particularly targeted towards women and children, and other related behaviours among survivors. The residential school syndrome is a key cause of metal health issues among Aboriginal people and it is a form of post traumatic stress disorder experienced by survivors and descendants of the residential school system due to sexual and physical abuse as well as the emotional and psychological trauma of displacement and separation from the community, culture and family (Douglas, 2014, p.204). This associates with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) in Aboriginal people and has similar underlying risk factors and primarily occurs due to social isolation, family history of alcohol, reduced prenatal and postnatal care services access that influences prenatal exposure to drugs, smoking and alcohol (Douglas, 2014,
p.205).
Although social determinants of health, such as poverty, unemployment, housing and food security, social exclusion and discrimination experienced by Aboriginal people increases the burden of mental health among this population, a holistic approach to mental health healing that involves cultural continuity and self determination can impact the intergenerational effects of colonization for the psychological well-being of Aboriginal communities (Boksa, Ridha, & Kirmayer, 2015).