Native American Youth Reflections on Participation in a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Program

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Psychology
• Mental Health Intervention
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Mental health disorders are a concern for Native American youth.
• Culturally grounded interventions are needed to address these issues.
• The Native-Reliance theoretical framework offers a foundation for understanding wellness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of Native American youth in a school-based mental health prevention program.
• To understand how the intervention aligns with the Native-Reliance theoretical framework.
• To identify the impact of the program on participants' sense of wellness and cultural connection.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive approach using a traditional Native American talking circle.
• Convenience sample of 20 rural Native American youth (aged 10-12).
• Semistructured, open-ended interviews analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research.

Main Results:

• Youth experiences and reflections aligned with Native-Reliance core values of seeking truth and making connections.
• The intervention provided a profound understanding and experience of the Native-Reliance framework.
• Participants reported fostered caring relationships, personal growth, and deep cultural connections.

Conclusions:

• The school-based group intervention successfully promoted wellness among Native American youth.
• Reconnection to cultural teachings and enhanced self-awareness were key outcomes.
• The program fostered a deep sense of wellness rooted in identity and relationships.