In this course, students will learn about challenges faced by Indigenous communities worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the social determinants of mental health. Students will have the opportunity to examine the many distinct Indigenous Peoples throughout the world, who have a great diversity in their histories, religious practices, and socio-political organization. We will study how these groups have shared rapid culture change, marginalization, and absorption into colonial societies with little regard to their autonomy. These cultural dislocations have been linked to high rates of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and violence in many communities. There will be a focus on culture-through language, land, and tradition-as treatment. Students will learn about the great strength and resilience of Indigenous groups.
In this course, students will learn about challenges faced by Indigenous communities worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the social determinants of mental health. Students will have the opportunity to examine the many distinct Indigenous Peoples throughout the world, who have a great diversity in their histories, religious practices, and socio-political organization. We will study how these groups have shared rapid culture change, marginalization, and absorption into colonial societies with little regard to their autonomy. These cultural dislocations have been linked to high rates of depression, substance abuse, suicide, and violence in many communities. There will be a focus on culture-through language, land, and tradition-as treatment. Students will learn about the great strength and resilience of Indigenous groups.
