Mental Health Awareness Month
Studies show Indigenous people have disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems such as suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, violence and substance use disorders. These high rates result in American Indian and Alaska Native people reporting serious psychological distress, 2.5 times more than the general population over a month’s time. Below are key statistics defining the health disparities experienced by the American Indian and Alaska Native population.
According to the 2022 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
- 19.6% of Native American and Alaskan Native adults experienced any mental illness within the past year.
- 7.3% of Native American and Alaskan Native adults experienced a serious mental illness within the past year.
- 9.7% of Native American and Alaskan Native adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder in addition to a mental health condition.
- 11.6% of Native American and Alaskan Native adults received mental health treatment with the past year.
- 19.7% of native American and Alaskan Native adults report experiencing serious psychological distress.
- 8.5% of Indigenous adults had serious thoughts of suicide within the past year, compared to 4.8% of the overall U.S. population.
- 8.3% of Indigenous adults reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.
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According to the AAKOMA Project:
- 18.8% of Native American youth reported exposure to racial trauma often or very often in their lifetime
- 22.6% of Native American youth reported that they lost someone they care about due to COVID-19.
Take a Mental Health Test
If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished, you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.
Take a Mental Health Screening Here
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide:
from a phone with a Washington state area code.
Confidential support from Native counselors is available 24/7, at no charge.
For other types of support, contact the Native Resource Hub.
Tribal Wellness Services:
Diabetes Prevention & Management
In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, the Samish Indian Nation Diabetes Program provides a variety of services to help delay or prevent a diabetes diagnosis while also reducing the risk of complications. These services are designed to educate tribal citizens on the risk factors of diabetes while encouraging prevention and management, physical fitness, nutrition, foot care, and vision care.
Eligibility Requirements:
You must be an enrolled Samish tribal citizen.
You must reside in our 12-County Service Area (Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, or Whatcom County)
Services We Currently Offer:
For Citizens with Diabetes:
Monthly Diabetes Educational Information:
Informational flyers regarding how you can prevent and manage your diabetes will be posted each month.
Diabetes Care Incentive Program:
This initiative is designed to support and encourage citizens in managing their diabetes and health while recognizing their dedication to wellness. Eligible participants may receive incentives per completed activity. Qualifying activities include:
- Eye Exam (once per year)
- Dental Cleaning / Exam (twice per year)
- Foot Exam (once per year)
- A1C Test (twice per year)
To utilize this program, you must be enrolled in the diabetes program.
To receive the incentive, you can submit this form: Diabetes Care Incentive Program Verification Form or provide other proof of appointment such as a visit summary or EOB.
Email forms to diabetes@samishtribe.nsn.us.
Open to All Samish Citizens in Our Service Area:
Samish Fitness Challenges:
Spring Fitness Challenge 8 Weeks: March 30th - May 24th. REGISTRATION CLOSED.
Summer Fitness Challenge 6 Weeks: June 30th - August 9th REGISTRATION DUE BY JUNE 27TH
We will also offer in-person registrations at General Council on June 29th.
Fall Fitness Challenge 8 Weeks: October 6th - November 29th REGISTRATION DUE OCTOBER 1ST.
Printable Schedule: Fitness Challenge Schedule
Extra Activity Logs: Activity Logs
Click Here to Submit Digitally: Digital Activity Log Submission
Send Registrations & Activity Logs to: wellness@samishtribe.nsn.us.
By Mail:
Samish Indian Nation
PO BOX 217
Anacortes, WA 98221
ATTN: Olivia Duvall
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at wellness@samishtribe.nsn.us.
SKAGIT COUNTY RESIDENTS:
Farm to Table Program: NO INCOME LIMIT
We will be introducing a bi-weekly food box pick up at our cannery campus in the atrium. This partnership with the Puget Sound Food Hub Farmers' Cooperative will bring fresh food from our local farmers around the Puget Sound.
Sign-ups for this service is required: Farm to Table Sign Up Sheet