Indigenous Youth and Mental Wellbeing

801 Greenwich Avenue,Warwick RI 02886

28 April, 2023

Description

This presentation focuses on ways to help address substance abuse and suicide prevention in Native Youth ages 7 to 24. It discusses how community efforts that are culturally appropriate, evidence based best practices and how reverting back to traditional practices and teachings can have a positive impact on prevention efforts for this specific population. At the conclusion attendees will be able to discuss and identify some of the historical trauma and racism faced by the indigenous popluation and the inbedded cultural protections that are a natural part of Indigenous communities and culture. They will also be able to assess how mainstream mental health methods may be in direct conflict with traditional cultural practices and beliefs in indigenous communities, which could contribute to gaps in services and barriers to appropriate care. A certificate of completion will be provided to all participants that complete the session. The certificate can be used to apply for CEUs for various disciples such as social work, peer certification and more. Trainer: Scott Barton, Consultant & Trainer on Indigenous Cultural Awareness Scott is a member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe located in Eastern CT. In one of his many leadership roles within the tribe he serves as the Project Director for the Good Medicine Project, a SAMHSA funded Native Connectives Grant. Prior to his work on the Good Medicine Project, he served as the Executive Assistant to the Tribal Council Vice-Chair for 5 years, a certified 911 Dispatcher and the Collections Manager/Registrar for the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, overseeing the museums artifacts. Scott has experience in needs assessment, strategic planning, developing youth leadership programs, establishing government policies and priorities, and working across various sectors both within and outside the native community. Scott is also an evidence-based trainer in suicide prevention, a facilitator of GONA practices and certified in various substance abuse, trauma and suicide prevention methods. In 2018 Scott co-wrote and presented research findings at the International Fields of Conflict Conference highlighting the impacts of historical trauma on Mashantucket Pequot youth. Good Medicine is currently in year 2 of a 5-year grant and has experienced a positive increase in readiness, native and nonnative partnerships, and decreases in stigma related to youth suicide and substance abuse.