Indigenous Counseling for Mental Health and Addiction in Indigenous Communities

This document discusses the importance of indigenous counseling in addressing mental health and addiction issues in indigenous communities. It explores the unique approaches and benefits of indigenous counseling compared to western approaches. The document also highlights the role of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, a residential land-based treatment program, in promoting the well-being of indigenous individuals.

Running head : GWEK PRESENTATION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Question 1:
Indigenous counseling is a culturally loaded process of helping indigenous individuals
who are suffering from mental illness either because of psychological distress or because of
substance abuse (Smylie et al., 2016).. Indigenous counseling is an effective way of supporting
youth especially individuals in between 19 to 30 years who are struggling by incorporating
Indigenous knowledge, experience, and healing (Smylie et al., 2016). Therefore, the counseling
decreases the problematic substance uses, crisis indicators like suicide tendency, hospitalization
and improve mental health. To provide healthy living, Gwekwaadziwin Miikan created a
residential land-based treatment program for those individuals (gwek.ca., 2019).
I feel these approaches are different from the western approach because indigenous
counseling supports the young and younger adults for their recovery from stabilization, through
treatment, aftercare, and transition back into their community. Besides, it integrates traditional
indigenous culture with the therapeutic best practice, life skills, outdoor experimental learning
from the emotional, spiritual and psychological perspective (Shaw et al., 2019). Moreover, it is
a more empathetic approach compared to the western approach where the counseling ensures
that Indigenous communities can become healthy and prosperous (Kirmayer, Sheiner &
Geoffroy, 2016).
Question 2:
The main purpose of the counseling is to address the epidemic of mental illness and
addiction experienced by many indigenous communities. I feel the counseling is important
because according to Statistics of Canada, the mental health of indigenous individuals is poorer
than non-aboriginal peoples. As discussed by Hackett, Feeny and Tompa (2016), in 2002 to
2003, approximately 70 % aboriginal individuals of Canada faced mental health challenges

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which are quite unique compared to non-indigenous individuals. The suicides rats of candida
individuals are 11th times higher compared to nonindigenous individuals in Canada (Gould et
al., 2017). The use of addictive substance such as cannabis is also higher in first nation adults,
estimated 27% and in young, it is 32% (Pelling, 2017). Various counseling tried to address these
mental health issues. However, there are certain mental health counseling gaps observed in
western approach which are designed for the aboriginal individuals. A connection to cultural
identity and community are critical for recovery of these individuals (Stewart, Moodley & Hyatt,
2016). Hence, Gwekwaadziwin Millan is investing wellness of First Nations communities to
ensure a mentally, physically and spiritually healthy indigenous land.
Question 3:
I feel a connection to the aboriginal land is crucial for the recovery of the indigenous
young and younger adults. Aboriginal people have always had a spiritual connection to their
land and many of the individuals and therefore, do not want to leave their land (Pelling, 2017).
When ancestors lived in these places, they hold the energy of timelessness which evoked a
feeling that they are not alone. In the land the indigenous individuals feel hear, or see the spirits
of old people and feel connected with them. Therefore, Gwekwaadziwin offers residential land-
based treatment for the individual of the specific age where the counselor focuses on seven
grandfather’s teaching such as wisdom, respect, love, bravery, honesty, truth and humility to
promote the wellbeing of the indigenous population (gwek.ca., 2019).

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References:
Gould, G. S., Bar-Zeev, Y., Bovill, M., Atkins, L., Gruppetta, M., Clarke, M. J., & Bonevski, B.
(2017). Designing an implementation intervention with the Behaviour Change Wheel for
health provider smoking cessation care for Australian Indigenous pregnant
women. Implementation Science, 12(1), 114.
gwek.ca. (2019). About Us - Gwekwaadziwin Miikan. Retrieved from https://gwek.ca/about/
Kirmayer, L. J., Sheiner, E., & Geoffroy, D. (2016). Mental health promotion for Indigenous
youth. In Positive Mental Health, Fighting Stigma and Promoting Resiliency for
Children and Adolescents (pp. 111-140). Academic Press.
Pelling, N. (2017). Indigenous and bicultural resources. Abnormal Psychology in Context: The
Australian and New Zealand Handbook, 54.
Hackett, C., Feeny, D., & Tompa, E. (2016). Canada's residential school system: measuring the
intergenerational impact of familial attendance on health and mental health outcomes. J
Epidemiol Community Health, 70(11), 1096-1105.
Shaw, S. L., Lombardero, A., Babins‐Wagner, R., & Sommers‐Flanagan, J. (2019). Counseling
Canadian Indigenous Peoples: The Therapeutic Alliance and Outcome. Journal of
Multicultural Counseling and Development, 47(1), 49-68.
Smylie, J., Kirst, M., McShane, K., Firestone, M., Wolfe, S., & O'Campo, P. (2016).
Understanding the role of Indigenous community participation in Indigenous prenatal and

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infant-toddler health promotion programs in Canada: A realist review. Social Science &
Medicine, 150, 128-143.
Stewart, S. L., Moodley, R., & Hyatt, A. (Eds.). (2016). Indigenous Cultures and Mental Health
Counselling: Four Directions for Integration with Counselling Psychology. Taylor &
Francis.