Identifying Priorities, Directions and a Vision for Indigenous Mental Health Using a Collaborative and Consensus-Based Facilitation Approach

Abstract

BackgroundMental health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada are related to underlying economic, social and political inequities that are legacies of colonization and the oppression of Indigenous cultures. It also widely acknowledged that mental health services currently available may not be culturally appropriate in supporting the health needs of Indigenous Canadians. A two-day Indigenous mental health forum examined mental health needs and gaps among Indigenous communities across the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) on Treaty 8 territory, in northern Alberta, Canada. Specifically, the forum’s aims were to: 1) discuss the challenges and opportunities in addressing mental health among Indigenous youth, adults, and families; 2) network key stakeholders from the RMWB to explore where sectors could overlap and collaborate on improving mental health services for Indigenous populations; and 3) create recommendations to support Indigenous peoples’ mental health and wellness across the life course.MethodsWe applied a modified nominal group consensus method embedded within Indigenous knowledge to determine key priorities and directions for Indigenous-focused mental health and synthesize information from discussions that occurred at the forum. The principles of two-eyed seeing were used with the goal of responding to and resolving conflicts between Indigenous ways of knowing and western scientific inquiry that informs mental health services. ResultsFour key themes for setting priorities and directions for Indigenous mental health emerged from roundtable group discussions. 1) understand the realities of mental health experiences for Indigenous peoples, 2) design a holistic and culturally-rooted mental health system, 3) foster cross-sectoral engagement and collaboration on mental health service delivery, and 4) focus on children and youth. On day two of the forum, a participatory community visioning exercise was facilitated during which participants collectively created a community vision for an Indigenous-led mental health response for the RMWB.ConclusionsForum participants described mental health and well-being around holistic concepts of social and emotional well-being. Addressing Indigenous mental health and wellness involves multi-sectoral action in various settings including community and school through programs, policies and other interventions that promote mental health for all Indigenous peoples, as well as for those at greater risk such as children and youth.