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Exploring Mental Health and Holistic Healing through the Life Stories of Indigenous Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Author

Listed:
  • Mikaela D. Gabriel

    (Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

  • Sabina Mirza

    (Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

  • Suzanne L. Stewart

    (Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

Indigenous youth are the fastest growing population in Canada, yet are marked by profound and disproportionate personal, societal, political, and colonial barriers that predispose them to mental health challenges, employment and educational barriers, and experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness. It is only from the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous community members themselves that we can gain appropriate insights into effective supports, meaningful interventions, and accessible pathways to security. This paper will explore the mental health of Indigenous youth who are at risk of, or who have experienced, homelessness, as well as the lifelong perspectives, teachings, and guidance from Indigenous Elders and traditional knowledge keepers; their perspectives are weaved throughout, in order to provide a more effective means to addressing holistic healing and the mental health needs of Indigenous homeless youth. As educators, researchers and clinicians who have sought to understand this issue in more depth, our analysis aims to raise awareness about the complexities of Indigenous youth homelessness and push back against systemic barriers that contribute to homelessness, fail young people, and subject them to oppression. We also offer recommendations from a clinical perspective in order for clinicians, researchers and those working within communities to serve our Indigenous youth with a diverse set of methods that are tailored and ethical in their approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikaela D. Gabriel & Sabina Mirza & Suzanne L. Stewart, 2022. "Exploring Mental Health and Holistic Healing through the Life Stories of Indigenous Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-23, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13402-:d:944681
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caton, C.L.M. & Dominguez, B. & Schanzer, B. & Hasin, D.S. & Shrout, P.E. & Felix, A. & McQuistion, H. & Opler, L.A. & Hsu, E., 2005. "Risk factors for long-term homelessness: Findings from a longitudinal study of first-time homeless single adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(10), pages 1753-1759.
    2. Jennifer Montez & Robert Hummer & Mark Hayward, 2012. "Educational Attainment and Adult Mortality in the United States: A Systematic Analysis of Functional Form," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 49(1), pages 315-336, February.
    3. Herman, D.B. & Susser, E.S. & Struening, E.L. & Link, B.L., 1997. "Adverse childhood experiences: Are they risk factors for adult homelessness?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 87(2), pages 249-255.
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