Mental Health Support Groups for Teenagers

 

Indigenous youth and mental health: Addressing challenges through innovative and culturally appropriate solutions

By Alexis Zhang  

Newark Academy, Livingston, New Jersey 

Many Indigenous youth in the United States face mental health challenges that are deeply rooted in systemic inequities and cultural disconnection (Smye et al., 2023). These challenges are compounded by barriers such as economic disparities and a lack of culturally competent mental health services (Saunders, 2023). In order to combat these obstacles, Indigenous youth often draw strength from their cultural heritage and community. Addressing their mental health needs requires a nuanced understanding of both the challenges they face and the culturally grounded solutions that can support their well-being.

                                                        “The Indigenous Ways of Healing” by Jaylene Cardinal © 2022. (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

 Challenges Faced by Indigenous Youth

Historical trauma plays a significant role in our understanding of mental health for Indigenous youth. Colonization and forced removal from ancestral lands have still left intergenerational psychological trauma that manifests in disproportionately high rates of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. In the United States, Native American youth aged 15–19 experience suicide rates more than double those of non-Hispanic whites (Mental Health America, 2025). These alarming statistics emphasize the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions.

Access to mental health care remains a significant challenge for Indigenous youth. Many reside in remote or rural areas where specialized services are scarce or non-existent. Even when services are available, they often fail to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of Indigenous communities. However, cultural identity has been shown to be a cornerstone of Indigenous youth identity. Studies have shown that communities with a strong sense of cultural continuity experience lower rates of suicide among other mental health issues (Bogic et al,, 2024). Traditional practices, such as storytelling, ceremonies, and land-based activities, serve as therapeutic outlets besides just helping preserve cultural heritage. These practices can provide Indigenous youth with a sense of belonging and purpose, which are critical for their mental well-being. Today, mainstream society puts pressures onto indigenous youth to assimilate, leading to feelings of alienation and low self-esteem.

Given the inadequacies of conventional mental health care, innovative approaches that integrate traditional healing practices with modern therapeutic methods are gaining traction. Programs that incorporate Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, and community involvement have shown promise in addressing mental health disparities. For instance, land-based education programs and healing circles have been effective in fostering resilience among Indigenous youth (Heid et al., 2022). These interventions emphasize the importance of connecting with nature and community, which are central to many Indigenous worldviews.

Digital tools also offer a promising avenue for support. Culturally tailored mental health apps can provide accessible and anonymous resources, including guided meditations and educational materials on historical trauma and resilience. These apps are particularly beneficial for Indigenous youth who may be hesitant to seek help. Additionally, community-driven solutions are essential for the success of mental health initiatives targeting Indigenous youth. Programs co-developed with Indigenous communities are more likely to be culturally appropriate. For example, the Smart Indigenous Youth (SIY) initiative in Canada integrates land-based education with digital citizen science to promote mental health and resilience (Katapally, 2020). By involving youth, educators, and community leaders in the design and implementation of the program, SIY ensures that its programs are targeted towards the unique needs of Indigenous communities.

One innovative tool that can be used to support Indigenous youth in their mental health journey is TranquilTally, an app developed by Newark Academy sophomores Alexis Zhang and Aadit Shrivastava. Inspired by their personal experiences with stress-inducing methods of self-care, Alexis and Aadit created TranquilTally as an effective website for improving mental health. The app offers guided journal prompts and mood tracking, making self-care an intuitive routine rather than a burden.

TranquilTally was built on three core principles: capture, contemplate, and commit. Users are encouraged to document their thoughts and emotions, reflect on their experiences, and take actionable steps toward better mental health. By simplifying the process of self-care, the app removes the complexity and overwhelm often associated with traditional mental health tools. This approach aligns with the needs of Indigenous youth, who may benefit from accessible and culturally sensitive platforms. TranquilTally can be particularly impactful for youth by providing a safe space for self-reflection. With features like mood tracking and guided journaling, TranquilTally empowers users of all cultures to take control of their mental health in a way that feels manageable.

Addressing the mental health challenges faced by Indigenous youth in the United States requires that policies are implemented that prioritize equitable access to mental health services and that build community. TranquilTally demonstrates how technology can give youth to take care of their well-being. As Indigenous communities assert, "Our culture is our treatment." By embracing this principle, we can build a future where Indigenous youth thrive, supported by both their traditions and the tools of modern innovation.

References

Bogic, M., Hebert, L. E., Evanson, A., Wright, B., Fruhbauerova, M., Petras, A., Jansen, K., Shaw, J., Bradshaw, S., O’Leary, M., Zacher, T., Smoker, K., Katherine Anne Comtois, & Nelson, L. (2024). Connected for life: How social connectedness can help prevent suicide in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2024.06.006

Heid, O., Khalid, M., Smith, H., Kim, K., Smith, S., Wekerle, C., Bomberry, T., Hill, L. D., General, D. A., Green, T. J., Harris, C., Jacobs, B., Jacobs, N., Kim, K., Horse, M. L., Martin-Hill, D., McQueen, K. C. D., Miller, T. F., Noronha, N., & Smith, S. (2022). Indigenous youth and resilience in Canada and the USA: A scoping review. Adversity and Resilience Science, 3(2), 113–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-022-00060-2

Katapally, T. R. (2020). Smart Indigenous Youth: The smart platform policy solution for systems integration to address Indigenous youth mental health (preprint). JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.2196/21155

Mental Health America. (2025). Native and Indigenous communities and mental health. Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/position-statements/native-and-indigenous-communities-and-mental-health/

Saunders, J. (2023, July 10). Becoming a culturally competent provider to Indigenous communities. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/american-indian-alaskan-native/becoming-a-culturally-competent-provider-to-indigenous-communities/

Smye, V., Browne, A. J., Josewski, V., Keith, B., & Mussell, W. (2023). Social suffering: Indigenous peoples’ experiences of accessing mental health and substance use services. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3288. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043288

TranquilTally. (2023). https://tranquiltally.com/