“Aboriginal youth are nine times more likely to be depressed and three times more likely to think about suicide compared to non-aboriginal youth,” reports Canada’s Ottawa Citizen.
The findings came from a survey of 310 youth by the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health.
According to the Citizen, 60% of the youth said that “the most important characteristics in a mental health/addictions provider was the understanding of aboriginal approaches, the use of different aboriginal teachings and practices, and the involvement of elders in services and programs.”
Ottawa study offers grim look at mental health of aboriginal youth (Ottawa Citizen, May 22, 2015)