Redefining what health is for Indigenous populations and understanding mental health inequities.

This is an excerpt from one of my assignments in an Indigenous Populations course I took

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Contrary to popular beliefs on the definition of health as the state of physical, social or mental wellbeing, merely in the absence of disease, Indigenous population health has failed to be described in this criteria of health as it involves interwoven elements that all work together to affect their wellbeing. "Mno bmaadis", a word in the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) tribe translates into living the good life or being alive and well includes the belief that the balance between physical, emotional, mental and environmental elements is essential to attain good wellbeing. This implies that balancing health with these elements goes beyond the individual realm and it requires that individuals live in harmony with others, their community and spirit worlds. Other than the conventional social determinants of health like income, employment and education, it is important to note that cultural factors like environmental deprivation and loss of language contribute to these factors. For example, it is recognized that indigenous people's land, food, and health are key components of being alive and this determines their physical, emotional, spiritual and mental wellbeing. Now that I have established a more appropriate definition for understanding Indigenous health, I will pursue the argument that social interaction with land and income are two determinants of health that go hand in hand and interact to influence the mental health of Indigenous populations in Canada specifically.

Mental health issues are rampant in the Indigenous community of Canada, as Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are 5 to 6 times more likely to commit suicide compared to their counterparts in the general population of Canada. In First Nations youth alone, suicides and self-inflicted injury are the leading cause of death, compared to accidental deaths as a leading cause in Canadian youths. To understand the factors that contribute to a significant mental health epidemic in this population, we have to address the causes of these factors. The effects of colonialism did not allow for a cohesive relationship that fosters social interaction in the Indigenous population and the separation from their land led to a loss of a source of income. There was the disintegration of social structures, erosion of languages and displacement of Indigenous populations from their land, which lead to poverty and obstructed social interaction; both of which affect health outcomes. Indigenous populations are known for their nomadic lifestyles but the reserve system that was established by most settler government limits their ability to migrate freely, and this is a major factor that contributes to their mental wellbeing.

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Social interaction involves a connection with one's family, community and environment, which determines the health status of an individual. Research shows that a strong social life leads to lower rates of depression and a longer lifespan. An essential component of social interaction among Indigenous populations is a connection to the land. Indigenous people regard themselves as stewards of their land rather than owners, and interactions with their land strengthen their spiritual connection to the land, which affects their overall wellbeing. For example, medicinal plants that grow on their lands are harvested and used for rituals and medicines to help improve their health. Another importance of land to Indigenous populations is as a source of income, which is a major determinant of health. Before the colonizers, the Indigenous way of living included hunting and fishing which allowed the population to make profits by trading between their communities. But dispossession of land and movement to reserves did not allow for the passing down of these cultural practices and sources of income to their future generations and that is why intergenerational poverty and poor mental health are rampant in the Indigenous population.

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Without a connection to the land for cultural practices to strengthen spiritual health, Indigenous individuals are faced with filling an empty part of their lives, which plays a major role in their complete wellbeing. A study conducted with the Namgis people living in British Colombia highlighted the importance of land connections by stating that lack of connection to land indicates losing a piece of one's self because being one with the land strengthens overall wellbeing. Also, because of the dispossession of land and confinement to reserves, the poor living conditions and a little avenue for income leads to psychological distress because of the inability to afford basic needs. This psychological distress then builds up and affects one’s level of functioning, which can lead to feelings of depression and suicide that is prevalent among these communities.

This holistic approach to health helps us understand why Indigenous population health is the way it is today. Mental health issues are significant in Indigenous populations around the world and there is a need to address how to combat its effects in this population. Mental health interventions should include policies that reunite Indigenous populations with their lands to foster spiritual connections with their land and improve their overall wellbeing. Also, land reconciliation will continue Indigenous practices like hunting and fishing which will increase income levels and allow for better living conditions with access to mental health care facilities as well as contribute to the overall economy.

References

1. Giroux, R., Holmer, K., S., Kassam, T., Pokrupa, J., Robinson, A., Sauvé & Sumner, A.

(2017). Mental Health Suicide in Indigenous Communities in Canada. Retrieved 2020 January 27, from https://www.cfms.org/files/position-papers/sgm_2017_indigenous_mental_health.pdf

2. Indigenous Corporate Training. (2015). First Nation Relationship to the Land. Retrieved 2020 January 27, from https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/first-nation-relationship-to-the-land

3. Brown, H.J.,G., McPherson, R., Peterson, V., Newman & Cranmer, B. (2012). Our Land, Our

Language: Connecting Dispossession in Health Equity in an Indigenous Context. 44(2), 44-63. Retrieved 2020 January 27, from https://cjnr.archive.mcgill.ca/article/viewFile/2349/2343