Native & Indigenous College Students
50 ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES50 ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
FOR NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS COLLEGE STUDENTS
According to the Indian Health Services (IHS), approximately 50% of deaths within the Native American community are alcohol-related, and about 10% of Native Americans struggle with a substance use disorder. Along with having the highest rates of alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogen abuse, individuals in the Native American population are much less likely to seek help for those issues.
Because of this, finding helpful resources is critical, especially during a crisis situation, But most importantly, finding culturally-responsive mental health and substance abuse help can be life-changing for indigenous college students. Below is a compilation of the most trustworthy resources out there for members of the native and indigenous population.
Mental Health Resources
One Sky Center: A national treatment and prevention center for native american people needed help with a number of mental health disorders.
WeRNative is a resource for native youth needing age and culture-specific resources. They provide a safe space for youth to seek help.
The Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center through SAMHSA provides educational resources and tools for members of the indigenous community needing mental health help, substance abuse treatment, or suicide prevention resources.
The Native Center for Behavioral Health is a research center dedicated to providing native american people with the best, up-to-date treatment options and recovery services.
Association on American Indian Affairs provides access to youth-specific recovery tools and programs that are meant to educate and empower.
Native American Aid: Not only helps with mental health resources but also provides access to help surrounding poverty and emergency care.
White Bison: Provides access to services that address sobriety, addiction recovery, prevention, overall wellness, and so much more for native americans.
Center for Native American Youth is a program that addresses the needs of native American youth, specifically focusing on mental health and total wellness.
Well For Culture: Among many other resources, Well For Culture provides access to a self help guide that leads Native American men and women through different aspects of physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Just Healing is a resource site that educates and empowers people of color through their recovery journey, especially when mental health issues or trauma is involved.
Nechi Institute provides access to training, research, and health programs for indigenous people.
Indigenous Wellness Research Institute is an organization that provides access to substance abuse treatment, research, updated information on healthcare and medicine, and training. All of these are specific to indigenous people.
Tribal College Journal: working to provide education on the wellness and achievement of indigenous peoples.
MHA National for Native and Indigenous Communities: Mental Health America offers access to national resources for the mental wellbeing of native and indigenous communities.
NAMI for Indigenous People: The National Alliance on Mental Illness also provides a long list of trustworthy resources for indigenous people.
Trauma Resources
Trauma ResourcesTrauma plays a huge role in the development of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in native american populations. Because of the inherent trauma suffered by these communities, it is often co-occurring with alcoholism or drug use. The following resources specifically address trauma in native american people and work to provide reliable and culturally specific healthcare options.
National Native Children’s Trauma Center: Focuses on healing trauma in native children.
Tribal Information Exchange: Provides a list of different resources and programs available to native american individuals in need of trauma care.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare ServicesTrauma plays a huge role in the development of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in native american populations. Because of the inherent trauma suffered by these communities, it often co-occurs with alcoholism or drug use.
The following resources specifically address trauma in native american people and work to provide reliable and culturally specific healthcare options.
National Native Children’s Trauma Center: Focuses on healing trauma in native children.
Tribal Information Exchange: Provides a list of different resources and programs available to native american individuals in need of trauma care.
Crisis Lines
Crisis LinesBelow is a list of different crisis hotlines and emergency resources for immediate, crisis information. In some cases, people need help during crisis situations, so these resources are helpful in providing one-click help.
Crisis Line for Racial Equity Support
Indian Country Child Trauma Center
Podcasts
One of the major reasons why native american people have a lack of access to trustworthy, culturally-responsive care is because of the inherent racism and loneliness that this community suffers from. Connecting with other indigenous people who have also struggled and are healing can positively impact a person’s recovery journey. The following podcasts were created and are run by indigenous people who are seeking to share their personal stories in hopes that it helps others.
LGBTQ+ Resources
LGBTQ+ ResourcesTwo Spirit: A long list of LGBTQ+ resources for native american people.
Native American LBGTQ Resources: Offers access to resources and a toolkit meant to help LGBTQ+ individuals who are also part of the tribal community.
Native PFLAG: Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has different resources for native american people and their family members and friends who also want to show support.
Healthy Native Youth: Different resources for native youth who are also LGBTQ+ and need programs and crisis lines.