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American Indian and Alaska Native adults have the highest prevalence of mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Recent violent tragedies in the news have sparked a new conversation about mental health in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience some type of mental health event each year. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy. It may not be a common conversation around the dinner table, but are adults seeking the treatment they need? What can be done to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness?
Guests:
Dr. Art Martinez (Chumash) – clinical psychologist at the Shingle Springs Tribal Health Program
Melissa Merrick – clinical director of the behavioral health integration at the Southcentral Foundation
Carolyn Lukensmeyer – executive director for the National Institute for Civil Discourse
Mentioned on the Show:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
Talk Txt Act (text: 89800 and type the message “start”)
Break Music: Stomp Dance (song) George Hunter (artist) Haven (album)
I am not native, but have been working with UNM Rural and Behavioral Health and youth from the Honoring Native Life program to adapt a stigma-busting curriculum called Breaking the Silence NM to teach youth about mental illness.
Zuni youth have presented to their elders. They just returned from Washington too! They are becoming advocates. Breaking the Silence NM connects mental illness to suicide- 90% of suicides in NM had a diagnosible mental illness that either went untreated or unrecognized because of shame or miseducation. I would love to talk with you more before Thursday! I am sending the link to all of the adults who have been part of this adaptation:) Thank you for doing this program!