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Social Suffering: Indigenous Peoples’ Experiences of Accessing Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Author

Listed:
  • Victoria Smye

    (Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Annette J. Browne

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Viviane Josewski

    (School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Barbara Keith

    (Consultant, Burnaby, BC V5H 4E8, Canada)

  • William Mussell

    (Sal’i’shan Institute, 800 Wellington Ave, Chilliwack, BC V2P 6H7, Canada)

Abstract

In this paper, we present findings from a qualitative study that explored Indigenous people’s experiences of mental health and addictions care in the context of an inner-city area in Western Canada. Using an ethnographic design, a total of 39 clients accessing 5 community-based mental health care agencies were interviewed, including 18 in-depth individual interviews and 4 focus groups. Health care providers also were interviewed (n = 24). Data analysis identified four intersecting themes: normalization of social suffering; re-creation of trauma; the challenge of reconciling constrained lives with harm reduction; and mitigating suffering through relational practice. The results highlight the complexities of experiences of accessing systems of care for Indigenous people marginalized by poverty and other forms of social inequity, and the potential harms that arise from inattention to the intersecting social context(s) of peoples’ lives. Service delivery that aims to address the mental health concerns of Indigenous people must be designed with awareness of, and responsiveness to, the impact of structural violence and social suffering on peoples’ lived realities. A relational policy and policy lens is key to alleviate patterns of social suffering and counter the harms that are unwittingly created when social suffering is normalized.

Suggested Citation

  • Victoria Smye & Annette J. Browne & Viviane Josewski & Barbara Keith & William Mussell, 2023. "Social Suffering: Indigenous Peoples’ Experiences of Accessing Mental Health and Substance Use Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3288-:d:1067030
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fiona Webster & Kathleen Rice & Joel Katz & Onil Bhattacharyya & Craig Dale & Ross Upshur, 2019. "An ethnography of chronic pain management in primary care: The social organization of physicians’ work in the midst of the opioid crisis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Goodman, Ashley & Fleming, Kim & Markwick, Nicole & Morrison, Tracey & Lagimodiere, Louise & Kerr, Thomas, 2017. "“They treated me like crap and I know it was because I was Native”: The healthcare experiences of Aboriginal peoples living in Vancouver's inner city," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 87-94.
    3. Jalene Tayler Anderson & Damian Collins, 2014. "Prevalence and Causes of Urban Homelessness Among Indigenous Peoples: A Three-Country Scoping Review," Housing Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(7), pages 959-976, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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