 |
This Web site is a component of the SAMHSA Health Information Network. |
|
The Journey Of Native American People with Serious Mental Illness
Executive Summary
State Groups
Conference participants met to examine key issues as they are manifested uniquely in their States. This led to commitment to establish ongoing dialogue and collaboration within their States on the issues identified at the conference. The parties in the States pledge to hold regular meeting to develop task forces, to hold Statewide conference, and to design strategies for better networking.
Groups Recommended or Formed at the Conference
National Native American Families for Mental Health
Because many conference participants noted that family members suffer form a lack of support and advocacy groups at the regional and State levels, several family members participating in the conference founded a group called the National Native American Families for Mental Health. Among the goals of the organization are to lobby for the establishment of advocacy/ ombudsman positions within State mental health divisions, to establish Native American advocacy groups in every region, to educate providers, to seek funding for a comprehensive dual diagnosis program, and to develop a position paper on serious mental illness to present to IHS, BIA, and State agencies. The group also recommended that a family member sit on the proposed National Native American Mental Health Board. Max Dolchok, a conference participant from Alaska, agreed to head the new organization.
National Native American Mental Health Board
Conference participants proposed the establishment of a National Native American Mental Health Board, composed of Native Americans with serious mental illness, families of Native Americans with serious mental illness, direct service provider, programs representatives, and State mental health agency representatives. The purpose of the Board is to advise the organizations it represents, as well as the executive and legislative branches of Federal, State and tribal governments as to how best to meet the mental health needs of Native Americans.
Resolutions
Discussions resulted in two resolutions made and endorsed unanimously at the conference. Resolution 1, Resolution 2
Table of Contents | Previous | Next
|
|
