Mental Health Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

About Mental Health

• Mental Health Primer : Find answers to common questions from the Indian Health Service, including the definition of mental health, why is it important, and what types of challenges tend to affect tribal children, teens, and families.
• Mental and Behavioral Health Data in the American Indian/Alaska Native Community: Discover insights into the challenges and disparities in mental health care within tribal communities from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health.

Tribal-Specific Barriers, Protective Factors, and Strategies

• Tribal Resilience — Culture as a Protective Factor : Find resources on the resilience of American Indians and information about how culture serves as a protective factor to heal, strengthen, and preserve this community.
• Promising Practices to Improve Tribal Children’s Behavioral Health  (PDF): Explore a curated list of resources featuring promising practices for improving tribal children's behavioral health outcomes.

Tribal or Issue-Specific Resource Hubs

• SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance : The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Training and Technical Assistance program offers specialized support and resources to tribal communities, equipping them with tools and knowledge to enhance mental health services and promote overall well-being in culturally sensitive ways.
• National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center : The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides harm reduction resources to anyone working to implement harm reduction strategies, substance use treatment, as well as prevention and recovery programs.
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): Find resources specific to a variety of events, including wildfire, tornado, mass violence, and bullying, and best practices and treatments for trauma-informed care from NCTSN.

Mental Health and Early Childhood Development

• Tribal Early Childhood Development: This ACF page focuses on initiatives and resources aimed at supporting the healthy development and well-being of AI/AN children during their early years.
• Behavioral Health Promising Practices in Tribal Children  (PDF): This Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) page highlights promising practices within tribal communities, showcasing effective approaches and initiatives that support the mental and emotional well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and youth.
• Early Childhood Behavioral Health Resource Hub: Reference this ACF hub to find resources to support early childhood mental health and social and emotional development tailored to various audiences, including parents and caregivers, early care and education program staff, state and territory leaders, and tribal leaders and programs.

Mental Health Resources for Tribal Youth and Teens

• Physical and Mental Health in AI/AN Youth : This site focuses on the physical and mental health of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth, providing resources and information to address the unique challenges they face in achieving holistic well-being.
• Tribal Children’s Mental Health Awareness Webinar Recording (Video): Reference this webinar on supporting wellness in tribal children and families, including a brief discussion of resources offered by the Tribal TTA Center and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practical Strategies and Resources : Find a range of information focused on understanding, promoting, and addressing mental health issues in young individuals and fostering awareness and support for their well-being from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
• Behavioral Health Resources for Parents & Caregivers Supporting Children, Teens, and Young Adults: Access a curated collection of resources from ACF specifically for parents and caregivers, including those in tribal communities, to empower them to learn about and support the mental health and substance use needs of those they care about.
• Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs, Concerns, and Experiences of Teens and Young Adults: Explore a comprehensive list of resources spanning a range of topics, including mental health and substance use, specifically curated by ACF and tailored for use by teens and young adults. Share this link with a teen or young adult in your life or use the resources to empower yourself to promote healthy behaviors and address common questions, needs, and concerns.

Suicide Prevention, Early Action, and Support

• Engaging American Indian/Alaska Native Youth at Risk of Suicide : The Child Welfare Information Gateway focuses on engaging American Indian/Alaska Native youth who are at risk of suicide, providing strategies and resources to effectively address this critical issue and promote mental health and safety within these communities.
• Indian Health Service Resources on Suicide Prevention : Find valuable resources to educate and support family and friends who are assisting someone experiencing emotional distress or crisis. It provides guidance on the appropriate steps to take (“Do’s”) and what to avoid (“Don’ts”) when providing assistance to those in need.
• Proactive Prevention is Key to Reducing Incidents of Suicide: Learn more from ACF about proactive prevention to suicide and how connection can change the trajectory of individuals’ lives.

Promoting Strength and Resilience in Tribal Communities

• How to Take Care of Yourself : The Lifeline page offers guidance on self-care for Native American, Indian, Indigenous, and Alaska Native individuals, acknowledging their distinct cultural contexts and providing insights to promote mental health and well-being.
• Promoting Mental Health in Indigenous Communities : This National Institutes of Health (NIH) Record article discusses efforts to promote mental health within tribal communities, highlighting initiatives, challenges, and strategies aimed at improving well-being and reducing disparities in mental health care.
• Generational Resilience — The Importance of Traditional Practices for Prevention (Video): Gain a better understanding of youth perspectives to help address the issue of youth suicide in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Preventing Bullying and Discrimination

• Preventing Bullying:  (PDF) Learn more about bullying, how big of a problem it is, its consequences, and how you can help stop bullying before it starts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Combating Bullying — Youth Wellness Learning Community (Video): Gain insight into bullying and its consequences related to suicide, including common misconceptions and discusses the importance of resilience in combating bullying from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

When and How to Ask for Help

• Signs of Needing Help with Your Mental Health : It’s okay to need help. Recognize some of the common signs that you may be struggling and should reach out for help. Also available en español.
• My Mental Health Fact Sheet — Do I Need Help?:  (PDF) Reference this fact sheet from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to determine how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life and if you may need to seek professional help.
• When and How to Get Help for Your Mental Health: Visit this article from the NIH Medline Plus Magazine for tips on when to get help for your mental health, how to get help, and various types of treatments.
• Recognizing the Signs and Knowing When and How to Ask for Help — Resources for Young People : The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers guidance and tips for young people looking for help with their mental health, including when to talk to a parent, guardian, or a trusted adult.

Treatment Types and Finders

• Indian Health Service Treatment Locator - Find Nearby Tribal Care : The Indian Health Service's Treatment Locator helps individuals find Indian Health Service, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health Program facilities, ensuring access to culturally competent and comprehensive healthcare services for indigenous communities.
• Finding Treatment : Use your zip code to find a nearby provider/program based on your unique mental health or substance use needs with this treatment finder from the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Youth Regional Treatment Centers (YRTC) : The Indian Health Service's Youth Regional Treatment Centers (YRTC) provide specialized and culturally appropriate treatment services for Native youth dealing with substance use and behavioral health challenges, aiming to promote recovery and well-being within these communities.

Accessing and Affording Treatment

• Tribal-Specific Guidance for Financing and Affording Treatment and Care : Get specific guidance when it comes to tribal behavioral health coverage for tribal communities, including the types of health care coverage for behavioral health services, Medicaid, and CHIP coverage.  

Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

• Comprehensive List of Trauma-Related Resources Tailored to Indigenous Populations: This page offers an extensive compilation of resources related to trauma, including resources on trauma-informed services, their importance, support for trauma-affected individuals, and treatments for AI/AN communities.
• Trauma Informed Care Resources: The Indian Health Service offers web-based trainings and resources on trauma informed care (TIC) highlighting various topics, such as historical trauma in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, best practices, and trauma-informed and responsive workforce.
• Addressing Trauma in American Indian and Alaska Native Youth : The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) page focuses on addressing trauma in American Indian and Alaska Native youth, exploring strategies and initiatives aimed at providing trauma-informed care and support to improve the mental and emotional well-being of these young individuals.
• Trauma Intervention Methods for Children: Discover more about trauma-informed clinical interventions and how the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is working to increase the nation’s capacity to meet the needs of traumatized children.

Help for Crisis, Emergent, and Acute Needs

• Crisis Services — Directory for Indigenous People by State and Region [BL(1] : The NPAIHB's Crisis Services directory offers a state and region-wise listing of resources tailored to Indigenous people, facilitating access to crisis support services and assistance within their specific geographic areas.
• Acute Mental Illness Locator: The Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons and their family members who are seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories.
• CDC Helpline Tools and Resources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a comprehensive list of resources to help you or a loved one connect with a skilled, trained mental health professional.

Strength, Recovery, and Support

• Mental Health Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities : Find a range of culturally tailored support services, programs, and information to address mental health and substance use issues and enhance overall well-being in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
• Resources to Promote Mental Wellness and Bring Recovery to Your Tribal Community : The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shares resources to promote mental wellness and recovery within tribal communities by providing tailored strategies and tools to address mental health challenges and fostering resilience and well-being among tribal populations.
• Tribal Resources for Healing : Find a repository of resources compiled by the Indian Health Service for those seeking assistance with mental health and the healing process.

Child Care and School-Based Support and Services

• Supporting Children’s Behavioral Health in Schools :  This press release from the U.S. Department of Education addresses the importance of addressing discrimination in schools, providing information and guidance to ensure that children's mental health needs are met in an equitable and respectful manner within educational settings.
• Department of Education Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs Report (PDF):  (PDF) This resource highlights key challenges to providing school or program based mental health support across early childhood to higher education settings and corresponding recommendations.