Addressing Trauma in American Indian and Alaska Native Youth

American Indian and Alaska Native youth are 2.5 times more likely to experience trauma than their non-native peers, and this trauma can result in mental health disorders, substance abuse, violence, and suicide if not treated. This Mathematica Policy Research report, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, contains the results of an environmental scan of trauma-informed programs for AI/AN youth. The authors summarize three interventions that help AI/AN youth address traumatic stress and behavioral health concerns: Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools; Honoring Children, Mending the Circle; and Pathway to Hope. The report concludes with a discussion of the challenges of conducting research in tribal communities, including the need to bridge the gap between mainstream and Native conceptions of mental health and wellness.