Mental Health Program Considerations for Tribal Populations

Tribal communities are face several barriers to accessing mental health support. For example, tribal individuals living in isolated tribal communities often experience limited access to mental healthcare. Other barriers may include unemployment, lack of adequate health insurance coverage, and language and culture.

Rural mental health programs should consider the effects of historical events on mental health. Integrating trauma-informed care (TIC) can improve the uptake of mental health services among tribal populations. The Indian Health Service offers several web-based trainings and resources on TIC. Rural mental health programs may also consider developing culturally competent trainings for mental healthcare providers to enhance their knowledge of tribal cultures and values. For more information on cultural competency workforce trainings, see Provider Trainings to Improve Health Literacy in our Rural Health Literacy Toolkit.