Mental Health Care for American Indian and Alaska Native Youths

Mental Health Care for American Indian and Alaska Native Youths

Relative to other demographic groups in the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youths have higher rates of mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, criminal-legal involvement, and suicide. These inequities stem from the historical injustices of forced relocation and separation from families, forced assimilation, abuse and sexual violence, and genocide, including through the residential school system. All have contributed to intergenerational trauma and higher rates of substance use, mental disorders, and general medical problems. Further compounding these challenges, AI/AN youths experience many barriers to treatment, including mistrust, stigma, rural residence, and lack of access to culturally appropriate care. These barriers also contribute to the relative dearth of data on AI/AN youth mental health.

This Editor’s Choice Collection highlights studies examining AI/AN mental health inequities and community-centric approaches to prevention and treatment. The first group of articles describes inequities in mental health burden and treatment access among AI/AN youths. The second group highlights the importance of cultural awareness in research and care provision. The third group describes general models of care in youth mental health that are designed to reduce barriers to treatment or inequities and that may warrant further study among AI/AN youths. Few recent articles focusing on the AI/AN youth population have appeared in the journal, which may suggest the need for greater support and funding for community-led research of this population.