Decolonizing mental health

In this webinar, UBC's Dr. Cash Ahenakew shares valuable insights about the vital subject of supporting Indigenous mental health and well-being. Dr. Ahenakew, who is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People’s Well-Being, explores the complexities and relationships among the various levels of trauma that Indigenous peoples and communities experience in western-based societies.

Watch this transformative talk to learn how we can decolonize health-related research and practices while rejuvenating Indigenous health practices. Dr. Ahenakew shares approaches and appropriate practices to address this from individual and community perspectives including traditional practices, as well as comparisons between western diagnostics and traditional practices. He also delivers a short neuro-decolonization mindfulness type of practice with the audience, shares resources about Indigenous mental health and wellness, and teaches others how to engage in a caring and respectful way with Indigenous people.

  
  

      

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Moderator

Lerato Chondoma (she/her) — Associate Director, Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI)

Speaker

Dr. Cash Ahenakew (he/him/his) — Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People’s Well-Being and Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Education
 

Recommendations for Further Reading & Information Referenced During the Webinar:

• Comparing Trauma-informed Approaches to Care and Education by Cash Ahenakew
• Cash Ahenakew- Indigenous Peoples Wellbeing
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Full list of publications
  • Beyond Window-Dressing, Reconciliation in Healthcare: A Workbook for Settler Physicians led by Cash Ahenakew
• Towards Eldering, at Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures by Cash Ahenakew
• Towards Scarring, Our Collective Soul Wound by Cash Ahenakew
• Decolonizing Mental Health, Embracing Indigenous Multi-Dimensional Balance edited by John E. Charlton, Herman J. Michell & Sharon L. Acoose
• The Violence of Colonization and the Importance of Decolonizing Therapeutic Relationship: The Role of Helper in Centering Indigenous Wisdom by Riel Dupuis-Rossi
• Healing the Soul Wound, Trauma-Informed Counseling for Indigenous Communities by Eduardo Duran
• Native American Postcolonial Psychology by Eduardo Duran & Bonnie Duran
• Joseph P. Gone, Professor of Anthropology and Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard University
• Indigenous Cultures and Mental Health Counselling, Four Directions for Integration with Counselling Psychology edited by Suzanne Stewart, Roy Moodley & Ashley Hyatt
• Neurodecolonization: Applying mindfulness research to decolonizing social work, by Michael Yellow Bird, (In Decolonizing Social Work, Edition 1. Routledge)

Recorded October 17, 2023.