American Indian Youth and Depression - Using Traditions To Heal The Wounds
When most people hear the words American Indian, visions of warriors on horses, feathers, or an 'Indian Princess' dance vividly in their heads. Instead, who they are is a culture of people who traditionally educate their children through oral traditions taught from generation to generation, day-to-day life, and sacred ceremonies that included song, dance and stories told to them by elders and spiritual leaders in the community.
To give you a better look at American Indian life today I will switch my focus over to the Lakota Nation of South Dakota. Home to such leaders like Black Elk, Crazy Horse and Fools Crow, the land in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge reservation is now the place of a people who remain strong in spirit like their warrior ancestors while trying to live in an economically depressed condition where the unemployment rate can be as high as 85% at times. Many Lakota people on the Pine Ridge reservation live in government housing (or worse), while the children there attend boarding schools run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools were originally set up to try to civilize the 'savages'. The children were forced to separate from their families and community, while at the same time were forbidden to express themselves through their native culture and language. Changes have been made slowly over more recent years- allowing parental involvement and introducing traditional teachings into the school's curriculum.
Because of the acts done to the American Indian people like genocide and attempts at taking their culture and traditions away, many generations have suffered emotional, mental, spiritual and physical damage. To the Lakota people these four things alone are important to rearing stable, self-sufficient children who can then go on to live productive lives as adults. The damage done through genocide and the rape of their culture didn't occur just once, but slowly and over time. From generation to generation they have struggled to live in two worlds- that of their people and the one which they were forced into.
Across the board the rates for depression, suicide, many physical diseases and crime are greater for American Indians than they are for any other race. The rate of suicide among American Indians age 10-14 is almost 4 times higher than it is for young people from other ethnic groups. Being raised by parents and grandparents who have endured the repression of their culture over many years definitely has an effect on the youth in their communities.
Of course there is always free will and the ability for each person to make their own choices regarding how they live their lives, but under such circumstances as these, living with a lack of stability and balance, how can these young people make good choices for themselves? I believe that it cannot be done unless they are given something to stand on- a stable foundation for them to fall back on and begin from.
Because the American Indian culture has always been richly-infused with their teachings and spiritual way of life, many psychologists along with native leaders are coming together to bring back the connections for the youth that they so desperately need. This can foster well-being and help to prevent such mental disorders like depression and suicide among the youth in these communities.
In Porcupine, South Dakota, the Children First Corp. run by Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dogs, is using mainstream treatments in conjunction with traditional American Indian methods. The inipi (purification ceremony) is a sacred ceremony for purifying the mind, body and spirit. By going through this ceremony it gives them a stronger foundation to start with before problems can arise.
The Lakota naming ceremony is traditionally done when a baby is born. They are given a Lakota name that "anchors them to the earth" and connects them to their culture and their family in a deep way.
For children who have suffered more traumatic events like abuse, their spirit can become damaged and actually leave their body, like a disconnection of sorts. In these cases they would hold a ceremony to call back the spirit so it can re-connect with the mind and body.
People like Ethleen Iron Cloud Two Dogs along with mental health professionals, volunteers and Lakota people are slowly connecting the children back with the traditional ways and it has been shown to pay off in recent years. By giving them instruction in the schools about the history and culture of their people along with the spiritual ceremonies and teachings of generations past, they are infusing the children with the stability that they so desperately need for prospering in today's world.
Once the children can integrate daily living with native traditions so important to their culture and by getting help and support from the adults in the community by fostering that strong family bond, they can keep their mind, body, emotions and physical self healthy and the rates for depression and suicide among them will lesson greatly.
Lisa Hoskins is a jewelry designer who owns Animal Spirit Jewelry. She has studied animals her whole life and is now blessed from Spirit to be able to create jewelry based upon the spiritual principles revolving around animal totems and guides. You can find her website at http://www.animalspiritjewelry.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:55:50 GMT Obama cites faith as key to change - Boston Globe Boston Globe - Barack Obama called "active faith" an obligation of religious Americans and a chief agent of societal change in a speech yesterday at the national meeting of a black church group. Veterans Group Urges Support to 'Finish the Job' Veterans’ Group Critical of Obama Plans Costly Ad Campaign Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:58:31 GMT Bosox, Cubs each put 7 players on All-Star rosters - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - NEW YORK (AP) - Maybe Manny Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and the rest of the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs should just play their own All-Star game. All-Star rosters revealed Cubs win 7-1 and seven All-Stars; I'd say it was a good day Publ.Date : Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:58 GMT Weather Channel Is Sold to NBC and Equity Firms - New York Times New York Times - By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED An investor group led by NBC Universal and two private equity firms clinched a deal for the Weather Channel on Sunday after three weeks of negotiations. NBC Universal, Bain, Blackstone Buy Weather Channel (Update1) NBC and its Partners Announce Deal To Buy Weather Channel and Assets Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:48:12 GMT Obama Campaign Criticizes Rival McCain's Economic Proposals - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Alison Vekshin July 6 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's advisers criticized Republican rival John McCain's economic proposals as both candidates prepared to focus on the US economy this week. Obama Advisers Tout Tax Plan That topic we love to hate Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:27:55 GMT Google, Zen Master of the Market - New York Times
New York Times - By STEVE LOHR Bill Gates, who walked away from full-time work at Microsoft last month, was perhaps the foremost applied economist of the second half of the 20th century. Why Microsoft will win Yahoo Yahoo! re-enters merger talks with Time Warner Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:57:50 GMT AT&T's Odd iPhone Offer - TechNewsWorld
TechNewsWorld - By Eric Benderoff Some of the details surrounding AT&T's iPhone prices make little sense, writes Eric Benderoff. The company will sell a 3G iPhone with no contract for a $400 premium. iPhone 3G line forms in NYC for a green cause New iPhone Can Decouple From AT&T, for a Price Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:04:21 GMT 'Hancock' a signature opening for Smith - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - The offbeat superhero story brings in $66 million over the holiday weekend, marking the star's eighth straight No. 1. He's hot, but the reviews were not. ‘Hancock’ Powers to the Top of Box Office Will Smith is box office superhero with 'Hancock' Publ.Date : Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:03:03 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a... Read More It amazes me that 6-10 million Americans have been diagnosed... Read More Many people who are suffering from mild to moderate depression,... Read More Unfortunately, millions of Americans currently suffer from the debilitating effects... Read More Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right... Read More Life wasn't easy for cave men. They had to hunt... Read More Long term care facilities and residents' doctors should consider combining... Read More "Ring, ring." The crisis operator answers the phone to a... Read More While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable,... Read More When suffering from clinical depression, people have different ways of... Read More It is true that forms of depression cannot be avoided,... Read More On July 15th, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic or Treatment-Resistant Depression About Vagus... Read More Everyone has days when they are down, worn out and... Read More According to the World Health Organization, 4 of the 10... Read More Having lived with a depressed partner for 3 years and... Read More Many of us feel depressed at one time or another,... Read More Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the... Read More Sharon was talking to a friend on the phone one... Read More On September 30th 1998 I was crossing the street in... Read More Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle,... Read More I'm sure at times of deep crisis many of you... Read More Looking to improve your mood?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author... Read More When most people hear the words American Indian, visions of... Read More Depression is a serious issue. There are simply hundreds of... Read More
Adsense
websites
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing!
I Love You, I Hate You But Dont Go: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
Natural Treatment for Depression - Is There An Alternative?
Do Natural Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Supplements Really Work?
Seven Steps to Good Mental Health
Dont Be Surprised!
To Long Term Care Professionals: How to Dramatically Improve your Residents Psychiatric Care
Depression: Based on a True Story
The Formula for Preventing Depression
Major Depression and Its Serious Complications
Natural Remedies For Depression
FDA Approves Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Depression
Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
Anxiety and Depression Treatment - 5 Tips for Beating Depression
Depression is the Number One Cause of Disability in the United States
How To Help A Stressed Or Depressed Loved One
Depression
I?m Not Depressed; I?ve Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself
Depression: One Womans Story
Disability is NOT a Life Sentence
What is Neurotransmitter Deficiency Disorder and How Can It Cause Depression, Anxiety, and...
The Cost of Giving Up
Quick Steps To Improve Your Mood
American Indian Youth and Depression - Using Traditions To Heal The Wounds
Recognizing Depression
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Depression Mantra
Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders.... Read More
Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression
Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young... Read More
Depression: Bringing Yourself Down
Sometimes it's hard to see the forest from the trees.... Read More
I Love You, I Hate You But Dont Go: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
It amazes me that 6-10 million Americans have been diagnosed... Read More
Depression Series (Part 2): My Antidepressant Doesn?t Work - What Can My Psychiatrist Do?
Maria has been increasingly depressed for the past few years.... Read More
Do Natural Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Supplements Really Work?
Unfortunately, millions of Americans currently suffer from the debilitating effects... Read More
Everyday I have the Blues: A Medical Intuitive look at Depression
It may come in waves, it may control our lives.... Read More
5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression
Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives.... Read More
Tips to Beat Depression
We all have days when we are down, worn out... Read More
5 Surefire Tips to Beat Depression Now
Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives...... Read More
First Thing You Should Do to Get Out of Depression
Depression, in psychiatry, is a symptom of mood disorder characterized... Read More
FDA Nears Completion of Review of Vagus Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Depression
On June 2 at 8:00 pm ET, Reuters news service... Read More
Aromatherapy and Depression
When artiste Leslie Cheung committed suicide, he left behind a... Read More
Know the Signs of Depression and Improve Your Life
Typical signs of depression actually show a change in the... Read More
Depression Treatment: Depression Would Be Second Largest Illness by 2010!
World Health Organisation states one out of four worldwide suffer... Read More
Raise Your Feeling Frequency with a Loving Smile
In every moment of our life we have the choice... Read More
Anxiety and Depression - Why Depression Drugs May Not Be Necessary - Fight Depression Naturally
Millions of people, especially in the United States, are currently... Read More
Turn Depression into Joy
Depression is the most prevalent disease of our time. Under... Read More
I?m Not Depressed; I?ve Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself
Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the... Read More
Tuning the Music Therapist
Music so strongly evokes emotional responses that it is being... Read More
Hurricane Recovery: Steps to Start Putting Your Life Back in Order
It seems unreal, another major storm hitting Florida after experiencing... Read More
More Than You Can Handle?
There's a dangerous illness afflicting women everywhere across the nation.... Read More
Depression After A Heart Attack
There are several factors can lead to depression after heart... Read More
New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure
On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)... Read More
Depression in Long Term Care Heart Patients Often Goes Untreated
Cardiologists, other doctors and long term care staff might be... Read More
Depression |