Data
Aboriginal peoples are the descendants of the original inhabitants of North America and the Canadian Constitution recognized three groups of Aboriginal people– Indians, Metis, and Inuit. The total population of Aboriginal people in Canada is approximately 1.5 million with the Indians (now refereed to as First Nations) being 57%, the Metis 33% and the Inuit about 10% of the total population of Aboriginal people. (National Aboriginal Health Organization 2003) According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), an estimated 18% of the Aboriginal population meet the criteria for clinical depression compared to non-aboriginals which are estimated at 8.2% (PHAC 2011)
According to standard scales used on Statistics Canada surveys in 2001, 12% of First Nations and 3.1% of Inuit suffered a major depressive episode and 6.4% were at high risk of depression. (Statistics Canada 2001, Kirmayer et al 1999) However, these findings are difficult to reconcile with the extremely high suicide rates in most of these Inuit regions at that time. Also it’s assumed that depression, especially among men, may not be acknowledged, but manifests itself as alcohol problems, violence or conflict with the law instead. (Kirmayer et al, 1999) Another provincial survey in Ontario estimated that 16% of adults in First Nations communities met the criteria for major depression, which was twice the Canadian average. …show more content…
(PHAC, 2011) In addition, the people affected were more likely than other Canadians to find that the depression interfered appreciably with their activities.
In Alberta, a survey was carried out to assess the prevalence of burden of depression based on the number of doctor’s visits. Results showed that the First Nations people were 1.4 times more likely than other residents to see a doctor for depression. (PHAC 2011). See Appendix
Factors Affecting Mental Health Among Aboriginal People
The major factors that have shown to affect the mental health of the aboriginal people point back to their historical, social and cultural pasts. These indicators may vary across provinces but overall share common causal roots. Common risk factors include:
• History of Colonization
• Acculturation and Loss of family values
• Residential Schools and the Sixties scoop
• Family violence
• Sexual Abuse and Assault
• Socio-economic factors • Isolation • Geographical Location (urban vs. rural, On or Off-reserve) History Of Colonization, Residential Schools And The Sixties Scoop Any consideration of the mental health of the Aboriginal people needs to recognize their historical backdrop. The changes resulting from contact with Euro-Canadian culture have had a massive impact on their communities, their individual, their collective identity, and their overall health status. (PHAC 2011) According to a Regional Health Survey, one-half of First Nations adults living on-reserve said their health and well-being had been negatively affected by the residential school experience, including isolation from family, verbal or emotional abuse, and loss of cultural identity. 43% of their children believe the residential school experience of their parents had a negative effect on the parenting skills of their parents. (First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey 2002/03) Socio-economic Factors Many Aboriginal people suffer from high unemployment, low income, low education levels and overcrowded housing. These factors in themselves may make mental health problems more likely. Studies have suggested that disparities in circumstances and lifestyles explained most (but not all) of the differences in depression rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in off reserve areas (Fournier 1997, Reading and Wien 2009) Family Violence The National Crime Prevention Centre reports that rates of domestic violence are up to 5 times higher than average on First Nation reserves. Between 1991 and 1999, rates of spousal homicide were 8–18 times higher than in the non-Aboriginal population.(Hylton, 2002) According to a Statistics Canada survey in 1999, almost one-half of the spousal violence experienced by Aboriginal women was carried out in the presence of their children. This in itself may harm the child 's mental health not only leading to depression, but also perpetuating the cycle. (PHAC, 2011) Sexual Abuse And Assault A 1991 survey of Inuit in Quebec found that 30% reported at least one episode of sexual abuse. And in a countrywide survey in 2001, at least one-third of Inuit adults felt that sexual abuse was a problem in
Aboriginal peoples are the descendants of the original inhabitants of North America and the Canadian Constitution recognized three groups of Aboriginal people– Indians, Metis, and Inuit. The total population of Aboriginal people in Canada is approximately 1.5 million with the Indians (now refereed to as First Nations) being 57%, the Metis 33% and the Inuit about 10% of the total population of Aboriginal people. (National Aboriginal Health Organization 2003) According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), an estimated 18% of the Aboriginal population meet the criteria for clinical depression compared to non-aboriginals which are estimated at 8.2% (PHAC 2011)
According to standard scales used on Statistics Canada surveys in 2001, 12% of First Nations and 3.1% of Inuit suffered a major depressive episode and 6.4% were at high risk of depression. (Statistics Canada 2001, Kirmayer et al 1999) However, these findings are difficult to reconcile with the extremely high suicide rates in most of these Inuit regions at that time. Also it’s assumed that depression, especially among men, may not be acknowledged, but manifests itself as alcohol problems, violence or conflict with the law instead. (Kirmayer et al, 1999) Another provincial survey in Ontario estimated that 16% of adults in First Nations communities met the criteria for major depression, which was twice the Canadian average. …show more content…
(PHAC, 2011) In addition, the people affected were more likely than other Canadians to find that the depression interfered appreciably with their activities.
In Alberta, a survey was carried out to assess the prevalence of burden of depression based on the number of doctor’s visits. Results showed that the First Nations people were 1.4 times more likely than other residents to see a doctor for depression. (PHAC 2011). See Appendix
Factors Affecting Mental Health Among Aboriginal People
The major factors that have shown to affect the mental health of the aboriginal people point back to their historical, social and cultural pasts. These indicators may vary across provinces but overall share common causal roots. Common risk factors include:
• History of Colonization
• Acculturation and Loss of family values
• Residential Schools and the Sixties scoop
• Family violence
• Sexual Abuse and Assault
• Socio-economic factors • Isolation • Geographical Location (urban vs. rural, On or Off-reserve) History Of Colonization, Residential Schools And The Sixties Scoop Any consideration of the mental health of the Aboriginal people needs to recognize their historical backdrop. The changes resulting from contact with Euro-Canadian culture have had a massive impact on their communities, their individual, their collective identity, and their overall health status. (PHAC 2011) According to a Regional Health Survey, one-half of First Nations adults living on-reserve said their health and well-being had been negatively affected by the residential school experience, including isolation from family, verbal or emotional abuse, and loss of cultural identity. 43% of their children believe the residential school experience of their parents had a negative effect on the parenting skills of their parents. (First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey 2002/03) Socio-economic Factors Many Aboriginal people suffer from high unemployment, low income, low education levels and overcrowded housing. These factors in themselves may make mental health problems more likely. Studies have suggested that disparities in circumstances and lifestyles explained most (but not all) of the differences in depression rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in off reserve areas (Fournier 1997, Reading and Wien 2009) Family Violence The National Crime Prevention Centre reports that rates of domestic violence are up to 5 times higher than average on First Nation reserves. Between 1991 and 1999, rates of spousal homicide were 8–18 times higher than in the non-Aboriginal population.(Hylton, 2002) According to a Statistics Canada survey in 1999, almost one-half of the spousal violence experienced by Aboriginal women was carried out in the presence of their children. This in itself may harm the child 's mental health not only leading to depression, but also perpetuating the cycle. (PHAC, 2011) Sexual Abuse And Assault A 1991 survey of Inuit in Quebec found that 30% reported at least one episode of sexual abuse. And in a countrywide survey in 2001, at least one-third of Inuit adults felt that sexual abuse was a problem in