Mental health impacts of the pandemic

In the context of these devastating effects of the pandemic, what are the implications for mental health among
Indigenous communities?

Before answering this question, it is important to acknowledge that Indigenous populations in the U.S. had an
increased risk of mental health problems before COVID-19.

According to Mental Health America (MHA), 19% of the U.S. population that identifies as Native American or
Alaskan Native have reported having a mental illness in the last year. This amounts to almost 830,000 people.

MHA estimate that “Native/Indigenous people in America report experiencing serious psychological distress 2.5
times more than the general population over a month’s time.”

Furthermore, “The suicide death rate for Native/Indigenous people in America between the ages of 15–19 is
more than double that of non-Hispanic whites.” This is despite the fact that suicide rates among all ages are
similar to those of white people in the country.

So, to identify the effects of COVID-19 on mental health among Indigenous communities, we should take “a step
back and look at some of the upstream causes of mental health disparities,” urges Dr. Warne in the RWJF
teleconference.

The mental health ‘baseline’ of racism, abuse, and marginalization

“We have a lot of historical trauma. We also have a long history, unfortunately, of forced boarding school
participation,” Dr. Warne explains. “My mother is a survivor of boarding school,” he continues, “and people were
abused in these schools.”

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“We have entire generations of Indigenous peoples in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world,
where boarding schools and residential schools were used to try to integrate people, get rid of the Indigenous
cultures. [And unfortunately] it was done through abuse: physical abuse, mental abuse, sexual abuse […] a really
horrible history.

So, eventually, those populations become parents too, and what have they learned about parenting? We have
this intergenerational challenge of unresolved trauma that […] is underappreciated and underrecognized.”

– Dr. Donald Warne

The scholar goes on to cite research carried out in South Dakota, which found “statistically significant [and
remarkably] greater exposure to adverse childhood experiences for American Indians” than average Americans,
adding that the data from populations in other states are similar.

“So we have entire historical and [socio-]economic circumstances that include racism and
marginalization, quite frankly, that lead to high prevalence of mental health and behavioral health
concerns, higher rates of depression, higher rates of [post-traumatic stress disorder], higher rates of
substance abuse, and higher rates of suicide.”

And this is only “where we are as a baseline,” prior to COVID-19, the researcher observes.

Dr. Warne goes on to explain that social isolation is the last thing that people in these communities need, as it is
a risk factor for “bad outcomes, including suicide.” The solution he poses is “to focus on social connections, but
in a safe manner, and physical distancing, not social distancing.”

Still, access to mental health services for Indigenous communities is “minimal,” Dr. Warne continues.

“For example, [in South Dakota] they have community mental health services that see Medicaid clients. We have
a lot of people on Medicaid because of poverty. And if I allowed you to guess how many of the community mental
health centers were located on reservations, it would be zero, believe it or not — zero! And that’s where the
greatest need is.”

– Dr. Donald Warne

Mental health resources would be especially useful now, as many Indigenous people who would ordinarily benefit
from participating in communal practices and social gatherings can no longer attend them.

For example, large traditional gatherings among tribes in the Great Plains region have been canceled, after the
source of the Navajo Nation outbreak was traced to a similar event.

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COVID-19 worsens mental health for 60% of Indigenous people

The mental health of adults has also suffered due to lockdown measures. According to a recent survey by
Statistics Canada, 60% of Indigenous respondents said that their mental health has become “somewhat worse”
or “much worse” since measures of physical distancing were introduced.

Furthermore, nearly 40% of participants reported “fair or poor” mental health in this survey, representing
a huge increase from previous years. For instance, a similar survey in 2017 found that only 16% of these
respondents reported fair or poor mental health.

The new survey also found differences concerning biological sex. Using the standard Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD) scale, 48% of Indigenous women were found to have anxiety, compared with 31% of Indigenous
men.

Importantly, the new survey revealed disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations: 38% of
Indigenous participants reported fair or poor mental health, compared with only 23% of non-Indigenous
respondents, and 41% of Indigenous participants “reported symptoms consistent with moderate or severe
anxiety,” compared with 25–27% of non-Indigenous participants.

Prof. Christopher Mushquash, a psychologist and the Canada research chair in Indigenous mental health and
addiction at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, commented on the findings.

Echoing Dr. Warne’s sentiment, Prof. Mushquash explains that trauma experienced as a result of colonization
and more contemporary policies has been passed down throughout generations.

“If you think about the history of colonial impositions on Indigenous communities ⁠— from assimilation policies
that have disrupted families, communities, [and] traditions and disrupted cultural practices ⁠— this has really led
to an intergenerational transmission of difficulties. […] The pandemic really makes clear just how big some of
the gaps are and, indeed, where they are.”

– Prof. Christopher Mushquash

Prof. Roderick McCormick, a research chair at Thompson Rivers University, in Kamloops, BC, told Global News
Canada that the lack of face-to-face contact and mental health support is amplifying the harms of the pandemic.

“There’s a disconnection, and [for a lot of people], that’s going to be the main stressor,” Prof. McCormick
explained. He continued, “We [Indigenous people] prefer to communicate in person,” although, he noted, some
people use video or social media platforms.

Prof. McCormick — who is a member of the Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) Nation — also made the point that people
who provide mental healthcare to Indigenous communities should be Indigenous themselves. “They will also

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know what some of the more naturally occurring resources are, like support groups and people in the community
who are good to talk to, like elders,” he said.

The researcher also highlighted an important association regarding the deep roots of historical trauma among
Indigenous communities. Referring to the smallpox epidemic and other outbreaks of viral infection brought to
First Nations people by European settlers, Prof. McCormick said:

“Now, Indigenous people are being triggered by the pandemic. Historically, there’s still that fear of epidemics.”

A. Explain

1. How do you feel after reading the passage?

2. Were you aware of what is happening with the indigenous community at your place? Please describe.

3. What is the impact of this pandemic to your community? Is there any comparison with the indigenous
community?

4. As a student, what are the tips that you can give to the youth for them to avoid mental health
problems?

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