Abstract
ABSTRACTThe mental health of young women in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, is a critical public health concern; however, there is a dearth of research that examines how this population manages mental health challenges. This study explores the self-identified strategies that female youth in the NWT use to cope with mental health issues. The arts-based qualitative method of body mapping and a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach grounded in social ecological theory was used to collect data during in-depth semi-structured interviews. Forty-one participants (aged 13–17 years) attended FOXY body mapping workshops in six NWT communities in 2013 then completed interviews regarding the content of their body maps. Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes related to coping strategies: grounding via nature, strength through Indigenous cultures, connection with God and Christian beliefs, expression using the arts, and relationships with social supports. These results can be used to develop culturally relevant, strengths-based, trauma informed interventions that improve coping and resiliency among Northern youth.
Highlights
Indigenous peoples in Canada experience a unique set of determinants that influence mental health [1], and these challenges are evident in rural and remote regions, including the Northwest Territories (NWT)
There is a dearth of current research regarding mental health coping strategies among adolescent women in the NWT; the aim of this study is to explore the self-identified strategies that female youth in the NWT use to cope with mental health issues
To explore the intrapersonal and interpersonal contexts that influence the mental health of young women in the NWT and the strategies used to cope with mental health issues, two approaches were used for data collection: semi-structured interviews based on personal body maps and field notes
Summary
Indigenous peoples in Canada experience a unique set of determinants that influence mental health [1], and these challenges are evident in rural and remote regions, including the Northwest Territories (NWT). The NWT Addictions Survey [9] found that 64% of youth in the NWT aged 15–24 years had participated in heavy drinking within the previous year, and 62% of this age group had engaged in harmful drinking patterns indicative of alcohol dependency. These mental health concerns are especially salient among young NWT women, who are disproportionately affected by trauma and violence [10]. Poor mental health during adolescence can have a significant longterm physical impact on young women and influence their development of self-esteem and ability to achieve healthy relationships with others
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