Indigenous Maternal Mental Health

May 24

Written By Cherry Tree Counselling & Psychotherapy Services

Why is Indigenous Maternal Mental Health Important?

Let us paint you a picture.

The Indigenous population makes up about 4% of the current population of Canada and includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. While there is incredible diversity in cultural practices, all these groups have been irrevocably affected by the colonization of North America.

They were and are subjected to oppressive systems that make it hard to thrive in their own lands. The mental health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations is an example of this. In a 2020 survey done by Stats Canada, 41% of Indigenous participants reported symptoms consistent with moderate to severe anxiety (compared to 25% for non-Indigenous participants).

The suicide rate of First Nations People are 2 times higher than the rate of Non-Indigenous and the rate was twice as high for those living on reserves as those living off reserves. The most common mental health diagnoses for Indigenous peoples are PTSD, Major Depression, and Substance Use.

The charts below show the age-specific suicide rates (number of deaths by suicide per 100,000 person-years at risk) among First Nations males living on reserve and non-Indigenous males in Canada, household population aged 1 year or older, Canada, 2011-2016.

1-14 years

15-24 years

25-34 years

35-44 years

Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort integrating the 2011 National Household Survey with Canadian Vital Statistics Database (2011-2016).

While 20% of women worldwide experience perinatal mental health problems, Indigenous women are 62% more likely to develop perinatal mental health problems.

Indigenous women are also at a greater risk of drug and alcohol use during pregnancy. They also have higher postpartum depression rates (11.1%) than non-Indigenous, Canadian-born mothers (5.6%). Indigenous mothers are also more likely to suffer from PTSD, trauma, depression and anxiety. This is due to a variety of complex socioeconomic and cultural factors.

Those who have experienced past mental illness, poor social support, poverty, intimate partner violence, and childhood sexual abuse increase risk of developing mental health troubles are mothers. In fact, 19.6% for First Nations off-reserve women (12.0% Métis women and 26.4% Inuit women) reported they have experienced abuse, compared to 5.5% among non-Indigenous women.

While Indigenous groups have had their own ways of managing pregnancy and motherhood, these ceremonies, teachings, and communities were taken away due to colonization which took children away from families and forced displacement of people off their traditional territories. It made it harder for the younger generations to learn the teachings of their Elders.

Indigenous peoples are also underrepresented in the mental health professions which can prove even greater barrier to access to mental health. This often accompanies a lack of culturally appropriate care. This is why it is important to stay informed and advocate. An In Plain Sight report found that 84% of Indigenous participants said they experienced some form of discrimination in healthcare.

So, how do we stay informed?

What are some of these teachings and traditions?

While we cannot capture the complexity of the whole Indigenous experience and each community will have differences. Here are just some important threads that are worth preserving.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

When raising a child within the Indigenous community, it is not just the mother or caregiver who is contributing to the child’s well-being. The entire community tends to be involved in childrearing and development with strong relationships to relatives and the community. With that being said, parenting is considered to be shared amongst the Indigenous community. During childhood, children are given the space and autonomy to explore and learn about themselves. During this time, parents and Elders will observe their children to see what gifts their children may have. With that being said, the parenting style is very supportive and non-directive.

THE POWER OF WOMENHOOD

Indigenous communities also celebrate motherhood in their own ways. Within Indigenous communities’ motherhood is embraced and celebrated amongst the entire family. Community members often honour the wisdom and teachings brought forth from the matriarchs and passed along to future generations. The safeguarding of traditions, practices, rituals and ceremonies regarding mothering are important aspects in shaping the health and wellbeing of the community. When raising a female infant, the responsibility is distributed amongst the mother, sisters, aunties, and grandmothers. These ways of caring are shared through storytelling from generation to generation. Through the many roles that women have within a community, they have a protective influence on the development of a healthy child, and are a source of strength, resilience, and transformation. Furthermore, the transmission of teachings and cultural practices amongst Indigenous women help spread these teaching to future generations.

TRANSGENERATIONAL SUPPORT

These Indigenous traditions, ceremonies, and rituals can play a key role in prenatal and childbirth support for mothers. In particular, ceremonies can consist of smudging, drumming, singing and bathing which can be calming and centering for mothers. These aspects can increase a mother’s sense of community and support during this difficult transition period. Due to Indigenous community support, this allows for a decrease in pressure and isolation within the transition period of motherhood. These communities often prioritize the ability to foster relationships and community building which allows for transgenerational support.

The modern struggles of Indigenous mothers.

Although these practices can help mothers reconnect with traditions in a time of change, it can be a struggle to find the resources and community necessary, especially when it has been systematically taken away throughout Canada.

Indigenous women are already facing the challenges that come with motherhood. They must also contend with barriers due to racism, sexism, and colonialism when accessing healthcare for themselves and their children. It takes effort and work to recover their culture. There is also a lack of research and understanding on the Indigenous perspective.

Supporting mothers who want access to traditional practices helps create a strong family and community, ensuring new family members are raised in a healthy, strong, and caring environment. Increasing our understanding as therapists, mothers, and members of the greater community helps the community at large integrate Indigenous health with Western practices.

Through the joys and struggles of motherhood, you do not have to do this alone. Although the statistics on depression, anxiety and PTSD in Indigenous maternal populations look daunting, all may be treatable with therapy.

Therapy can be a safe, non-judgmental space to share your experience, connect with culturally competent practitioners, and help heal from transgenerational trauma so you are better able to shoulder the burdens of motherhood and hold space for you and your loved ones. Therapists can offer evidence-based solutions and techniques to improve quality of life and ease the transition into motherhood.

Connect with a community of care.

Talking through issues with others might help you gain new insight and lessen some of the stress that comes with motherhood.

Did you know that here at Cherry Tree we serve the NIHB (Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit) program and we have an Indigenous therapist on our team? We are able to serve all of Ontario virtually, with therapists working from these locations: Dundas, Hamilton, Guelph, Sudbury and Timmins.

With that being said, we would also like to shed light on some of the many resources for Indigenous maternal mental health support in these areas! Indigenous Friendship and Health Centres often have perinatal supports for mothers and mothers-to-be such as prenatal nutrition, “Health Babies Healthy Children”, and other family support programs. These organizations also offer general support to the Indigenous community in the form of land-based programming, culturally safe programming to connect with identity and belonging, and access to Elders.

INDIGENOUS MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS

DUNDAS / HAMILTON

Hamilton Regional Indian Centre

https://www.hric.ca/

GUELPH

Guelph Community Health Centre

https://guelphchc.ca/covid-19/

SUDBURY

Women’s Circle, N’Swakamok

http://www.nfcsudbury.org/

TIMMINS

Timmins Native Friendship Centre