Healing and Mental Health for Native Americans ─ Speaking in Red

Substance abuse, mental illness, and violence make up a self-perpetuating cycle in many Native American communities. In 20 articles, educators, researchers, and clinicians who work in the Native American community emphasize the elimination of health disparities and increasing access of Native Americans to substance abuse and mental health services as priorities for Indian leaders and public officials. Chapters explore alternatives to dominant-culture approaches that don't work, instead looking at community-based treatments that may combine traditional and Western medicine and that are sensitive to the needs of diverse populations. Of interest to medical and mental health professionals and those working in the realm of Native health in rural areas, reservations, and cities. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Ethan Nebelkopf, Ph.D., is director of the Family & Child Guidance Clinic of the Native American Health Center in Oakland and San Francisco. He has worked for community-based non-profit organizations for thirty years and is a licensed family therapist in California. Mary Phillips (Omaha/Laguna, Pueblo) has experience in program coordination, managed information systems development, evaluation, and community assessment for the Native American community and works for First Nations Development Institute. She has participated in several publications on mental health and Native Americans and received her Bachelors degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University.