How Indigenous Mental Health is Affected by Culture and Land Access

Abstract

Indigenous peoples, on average, experience disproportionally higher rates of mental health issues and suicidality than other ethnicities/races. For example, Indigenous peoples in Australia and Canada have two to six times the rates of suicide than non-Indigenous people. Factors such as historical trauma and systemic racism have been established as contributors; the specific role that access to land plays remains under-researched. This study uses a mixed-methods approach combining data/previous research available on databases with survey data from Indigenous mental health professionals. Findings from the databases demonstrate that outcomes for depression, addiction, and suicidality improve when Western psychological practices are integrated with Indigenous healing methods. Specifically, data suggest that land-based programs, such as “Bush Schools” and language learning programs, are key to effective treatment. This study concludes that a “Two-Eyed Seeing” model, balancing Indigenous and Western methodologies, offers the most effective path in reducing mental health disparities.