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The Journey Of Native American People with Serious Mental Illness
Executive Summary

Conclusions

The conference brought together people with roles and responsibilities for the care and well being of Native Americans with serious mental illness and it resulted in the beginning of the implementation of a shared vision for creating a better mental health service system for Native Americans. Participants agreed that services need to be more accessible, better integrated, and more culturally relevant. There was also widespread agreement that services need to be more under the control of Native Americans with more input from consumers and family members.

Several participants voiced concern that the effort put forth at the conference would not achieve practical results. However, three concrete steps were taken that should help ensure that the promises made at the conference will be kept. First is the commitment by all parties to continue dialogue among States, tribes groups, BIA, and IHS. Many States have ambitious agendas for tackling issues raised in the conference, for carrying out recommendations and for continuing networking begun at the conference. Second is the establishment of a new organization, the National Native American Families for Mental Health, and a recommendation for a National Native American Mental Health Board. Finally, South Dakota offered to host the second conference.

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