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MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2001

American Indians and Alaska Natives fact significant disparities in mental health care that are directly linked to colonization and destructive federal policies, Surgeon General David Satcher reported on Sunday.

From disease introduced by Europeans to allotment of tribal lands to stamping out of language and culture, negative treatment of Native Americans has resulted in high poverty rates, volatile family structure and lower levels of educational achievement, said Satcher. These, and other problems, are linked to "potentially negative mental health consequences," he added.

"[T]here is good reason to suspect that the history of oppression, discrimination, and removal from traditional lands experienced by Native people has contributed to their current lack of educational and economic opportunities and their significant representation among populations with high need for mental health care," writes Satcher.

"As evidenced through history and current socioeconomic realities, American Indian and Alaska Native nations have withstood the consequences of colonialism and of subsequent subjugation," he concludes.

Contained in a 217-page report called "Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity," the findings on the state of mental health of Indian Country come as no surprise to many. Tribal leaders and health experts continue today to complain of inadequate and underfunded health care on and off reservations.

For the rest of America, the report provides a comprehensive and historical review of the health problems facing Native Americans. It is based on years of medical research and studies of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

But the report points out the need to conduct more research to get a better picture of mental health struggles. No large scale studies of disorders among Native adults have ever been conducted, Satcher says, although two studies have examined some Indian youth.

One study, for instance, found that Indian children in the Northern Plains ages 13 to 17 were much more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and substance abuse or substance dependence disorders than their counterparts.

No studies have been done on Alaska Native children.

The mental health of the homeless, veterans and incarcerated Native Americans are noted as particular concerns. Despite making up less than 1 percent of the United States population, Native Americans are 8 percent of the homeless population and make up 4 percent of the criminal justice system.

Additionally, Natives with alcohol and drug problems and foster children are singled out as "high need."

Get the Report:
Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity (Surgeon General August 2001)

Relevant Links:
Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov

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