Research shows that Native Americans have high rates of mental health problems, resulting in psychological distress at a rate 2.5 times higher than the general population.
Disproportionate rates of mental health disorders, including suicide, violence, and behavior-related morbidity and mortality in American Indian and Alaska Native communities continue to be a significant issue for many tribes.
The Choctaw people are no exception. States provide a variety of mental health supports, including counseling for both individuals and families, case management services, substance abuse counseling, child or intimate partner abuse counseling, psychiatric pharmacotherapy (assessment and management), crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. provides a method.
Even with all these programs, it can be difficult to keep the ball rolling attentively.
According to Shauna Humphries, director of behavioral health for the Choctaw Nation, the stigma of talking about mental health issues is one of the biggest challenges to overcome when you are struggling or need help. “Weakness in time is actually a sign of wisdom in knowing when you need help,” Humphries said.
A person’s mental health is a state of balance and can change under stress. However, it can also be a diagnosable condition caused by a biological derangement, such as a mental illness.
“Mental health is something that everyone has and will always be there. It can be positive or negative, just as everyone has different physical health and degrees of health,” says Han. Freeze said. “But mental illness does have an impact when it really impacts a person’s ability to function over a long period of time.”
Humphreys says it’s important to know the difference between feeling sad or stressed and feeling like there’s a biological imbalance in the brain, which is why it’s important to seek professional help.
“They are [mental health and mental illness] They are often used incorrectly or interchangeably. It is important to know the difference so that we can reduce stigma and seek help when we need it,” Humphreys said.
Before you feel stressed or have a bad day, Humphries suggests developing coping strategies and seeking support from others. “When we feel unwell and realize it’s affecting our functioning, we seek help. Just as we don’t neglect our physical health, we don’t neglect our mental health either. I don’t,” Humphries said. “Everything is connected. Culturally, mind, body, and soul are connected. If your body or soul is not feeling well, it can affect your mind.”
Children and young people are not immune to mental health problems. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems were a leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes among young people, according to the 2022 National Health Care Quality and Disparities Report. was. The report showed that up to 20% of children in the United States between the ages of 3 and 17 have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.
Another surprising statistic from the report is that from 2009 to 2019, the percentage of high school students who reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased from 26% to 37%.
The worsening COVID-19 pandemic has shined a bright light on young people’s mental health, but statistics show the problem was developing even before then. .
There are several things that can cause mental health problems in young people and adolescents. Abuse, trauma, and neglect are just a few.
Social media can be another source of mental health problems for young people.
Up to 95% of young people aged 13 to 17 report using social media platforms, with more than a third using social media ‘almost always’, according to a report from the Surgeon General’s Office. is the answer.
The report ultimately states that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media. However, the current body of evidence shows that while social media can be beneficial for some children and adolescents, there are some indications that it may harm their mental health and well-being. It seems that.
The report also shows some positive effects of social media. For example, the ability to form and maintain online friendships and develop social connections through social media is beneficial for adolescents.
These relationships provide opportunities for positive interaction with a more diverse peer group than is available offline and provide important social support.
This social support from peers is especially important for youth who are often marginalized, including racial, ethnic, sexual, and sexual minorities. Seven in 10 adolescent girls of color report encountering positive race-related or identity-affirming content across their social media platforms.
There’s good and bad as well, and research shows that restricting access to social media can have positive effects as well.
It’s important to monitor your child’s social media usage and how it affects their mental health.
Humphries said parents can look out for a few things. “If you see your child struggling or changing their usual patterns, whether it’s eating more or less, sleeping less than usual, or just not being their usual self, ask them. If you’re not, if you’re really motivated, or if you’d like to participate in something you’ve previously participated in, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have,” Humphreys said.
Parents can stay connected to social media by creating a family media plan, creating a technology-free zone, modeling responsible social media behavior, teaching children about technology, and encouraging them to report cyberbullying. You can limit the inherent danger.
If you or a loved one find yourself in a situation where you think you need help, no matter your age, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can help.
988 Lifeline is a national network of community crisis centers that provides free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people facing suicidal crisis or emotional distress anywhere in the United States. Masu.
Through a partnership with the agency that operates the 988 program in Oklahoma, when tribal members call 988 from Oklahoma and say they are Choctaw, the state follows up to ensure they get the care they need. You can up.
Humphries says listening is an important tool when talking to someone about a mental health struggle. There are some words you shouldn’t say, such as “I understand.” It sounds innocent, but depending on what they’re going through, you can’t really understand unless you’ve been in that exact position,” Humphries said.
Another mistake is telling people to get out of it or to be stronger. “We don’t tell people who need insulin to toughen up or push themselves through their own efforts. We direct them to a doctor and get help,” Humphries said. Told.
Native Americans are at higher risk for mental health and substance abuse. There are many possible root causes, but the most common is intergenerational trauma.
Humphries believes their current efforts are a way to turn things around.
“I’m ready for the day we can flip that script.” [so that] “Native Americans are no longer the people with the highest rates of mental health and substance use issues,” Humphries said.
However, it is important to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Humphreys added: “We strive to exercise, eat right and get enough rest to prevent serious physical illnesses and conditions. Just like physical health, everyone’s Everyone should take care of their mental health,” he added.
The Choctaw Nation has a variety of ways to get the mental health support you need. Below is a brief list of some of the services available.
behavioral health
580-920-2100
We provide a variety of mental health services to adults, youth, and children.
Individual counseling.
- family counseling
- case management services
- substance abuse counseling
- Child/Partner Abuse Counseling
- psychiatric medicine
- (Evaluation/Management)
- crisis intervention
- suicide prevention
- Several grant support programs
warrior wellness
McAlester – 918-302-0052
Durant – 580-916-9238
We partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant to provide a variety of programs and events to strengthen the mental health of Native American veterans.
- weekend family trip
- animal assistance services
- services for horses
- trail riding
- hiking and fishing
- rope course
- gardening
- family wealth
- richness of culture
- Income support subsidy
- peer support
Chi Full Lee
918-567-2905
A residential treatment facility located in Talihina. We provide long-term, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive programs for Native American women with and without children.
men’s recovery center
918-567-2389
A 60-day residential substance use disorder treatment facility staffed by licensed and certified staff dedicated to providing quality substance use disorder treatment services.
