Research on mental health among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) is limited by the small size of this population and by its heterogeneity. Nevertheless, existing research suggests that AI/AN youths and adults suffer a disproportionate burden of mental health problems and disorders. Among AI/AN people, there is a wide range of beliefs about illness, healing, […]
traditional healing
Alaska State Suicide Prevention Plan, 2012-2017: Annual Implementation Report 2012
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council has issued its first annual progress report on its five-year suicide prevention action plan. One highlight: more than 1,800 Alaskans were trained in suicide prevention in 2012. “Obviously we still have a long way to go, but by looking at the measures in the plan, we can see we’re making […]
Qungasvik: A Toolbox for Promoting Youth Sobriety & Reasons for Living in Yup’ik/Cup’ik Communities
This Qungasvik is a collection of solutions. Qungasvik is Yup’ik for “toolbox.” This book is called Qungasvik because it contains tools to help Yup’ik communities find their own answers to the tragedies of suicide and drug and alcohol abuse. Qungasvik is also the story of how two communities, along with the Center for Alaska Native Health […]
Elluam Tungiinun: Culturally Based Program for Substance Abuse Prevention in Alaska Native Communities
Elluam Tungiinun (Toward Wellness) is a prevention trial to test the efficacy of the project’s culturally based approach to suicide and substance abuse prevention in three Yup’ik communities in southwest Alaska. The Elluam Tungiinun project uses the Qungasvik (Toolbox) Manual. The Qungasvik has 36 cultural and bicultural activities designed to build protection from suicide and alcohol […]
A Sweetgrass Method of Bullying Prevention for Native American Youth
The Sweetgrass Method of Bullying Prevention for Native Youth serves as an instrument and strategy to communicate, collaborate and continue healthy journeys for native people. Native Americans have held sweetgrass as sacred for a very long time. Sweetgrass is used to cleanse the heart so that our hearts feel the truth, grow in harmony and […]
Yoga for Youth in Trauma Recovery
This article is by an instructor who is in recovery from bipolar disorder and substance abuse. The instructor has a history of trauma and was homeless for periods during her transition age years. She has worked in the mental health field for eighteen years and is a National Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher. Yoga was part […]