On March 15, APA Services submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (PDF, 161KB)opens in new window that highlighted the need to provide critical access to essential mental and behavioral health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).
Specifically, the testimony emphasized the need for increased funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS). As the main health care provider for AI/AN people, IHS’s primary goal is to improve the health outcomes of AI/AN individuals to the highest extent possible. The association’s testimony highlighted that increased funding for IHS is essential, especially because this population has a lower life expectancy than other groups in the United States.
The testimony also underscored the need for increased funding for mental health programs for this population, pointing out that AI/AN communities often lack access to adequate health care, including behavioral health care, and the fact that suicide rates are higher for this population compared to all other racial groups in the United States.
APA Services recommended increased funding for alcohol and substance use treatment programs for this population. Given the high rates of alcohol and substance use that are well-documented in the AI/AN community and this population being more likely to report past year alcohol and substance use disorders than any other race, IHS is well positioned to ensure culturally sensitive treatment plans are implemented.
Finally, the association recommended an increase in funding for the Indian Health Professions account and emphasized the importance of training psychologists to be aware of the cultural sensitivities of this community and address the community’s needs. This account includes the American Indians into Psychology program. The main goals of the program are to increase the number of AI/AN individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology and increase the cross-cultural understanding of AI/AN psychology.
For more information, contact Serena Dávila.