Integrating Mainstream Mental Health Approaches and Traditional Aboriginal Healing Practices: A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.11.64Abstract
Aboriginal ways of knowing and being are said to originate from the intrinsic connectedness of the spiritual, natural, and human realms of existence. A model of practice that acknowledges and is informed by shared worldviews, beliefs, and values may facilitate the integration of mainstream mental health approaches and traditional Aboriginal healing practices. There is an abundance of accessible and available research regarding Indigenous and Western methods related to health and well-being. However, the connection between Western and Indigenous approaches to mental health and the manner they serve the distribution of culturally relevant services has not received the attention it deserves. This paper bridges this gap through a review and analysis of literature on definitions of cultural safety; mainstream mental health approaches; Aboriginal mental health; research considerations; traditional Aboriginal healing practices; integrated mental health approaches; and considerations for rural practice.
Keywords: Aboriginal mental health; culturally relevant and holistic approaches; promoting health and well being; cultural safety; mainstream approaches.
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