When working with Native Americans, counselors are dealing with decades of trauma, Dr. Chris Fore, founder and director of the Indian Health Services said, Nov. 14 in a live speech broadcast at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Members of the Counseling Student Organization gathered for their monthly meeting, where Fore, a figure from the Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Albuquerque, New Mexico, offered insights into the complex realities Indigenous populations face when seeking mental health care.
Fore said the United States has 574 “moderately known” tribes that are yet to be recognized by the government.
Two of the largest tribes known are the Navajo Nation and Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma with an estimate of over 10,000 members.
With Fore at the helm, the event underscored how deeply community is ingrained in Indigenous life, a core value.
“There are more tribes in this country than there are countries in the world,” Fore said.
Fore explained that while community remains the backbone of tribal life, these populations’ challenges cannot be overlooked.
“Traditions and beliefs play a huge role in what each tribe will follow,” Fore said.
“Every tribe carries trauma,” Fore said, emphasizing that mental health, though important, often takes a backseat to other pressing needs.
“Trauma can be passed down through generations,” Fore said.
The Mescalero Apache tribe in New Mexico lost three teenagers in one week due to a suicidal cluster.
Fore’s talk centered on the lack of basic infrastructure that many tribes experience.
“No.1 priority for tribal communities is housing, not mental health,” Fore said.
An estimated 30% of individuals in Indigenous communities live without running water or electricity, making access to essential services, including mental health care, nearly impossible. With no hospitals nearby, tribal members often rely on limited telehealth resources or must travel long distances for treatment.
Tribes that don’t receive recognition from the government receive no assistance to enhance everyday living. In New Mexico tribal recognition is considered by blood testing.
“If you can trace your lineage back to Oklahoma then you’re considered a tribal member,” Fore said.
This lack of trust in the government further complicates efforts to provide care, Fore observed. Historical injustices have been fostered toward federal and state programs, making it difficult to gain traction.
“Many tribes have had bad experiences with the government,” Fore said.
Fore’s insights not only shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure and healthcare solutions but also highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive approaches that resonate with Indigenous populations.
“When working with tribal communities,practice base treatment is preferred,” Fore said.
