Effects of a Decolonizing Training on Mental Health Professionals’ Indigenous Knowledge and Beliefs and Ethnocultural Empathy

Abstract

Indigenous communities suffer from the highest rates of mental health disparities of any ethnic group in the United States, as well as experience significant amounts of historical and contemporary trauma including violence, racism, and childhood abuse. Unfortunately, the mental health workforce is unprepared to effectively work with this population due to the influence of stereotypes, bias, and lack of training. A 90-minute training for mental health agency employees using decolonizing methods was delivered to improve knowledge of and empathy for Indigenous patient populations (N = 166). Results indicated that the training increased participants’ Indigenous knowledge and beliefs across demographic variables and may increase aspects of empathy including awareness. This training was feasible for a wide variety of mental health employees and resulted in increased learning about Indigenous people, which is a critical starting point for mental health professionals working with this population. Suggestions are offered to train mental health providers to deliver culturally responsive care to Indigenous clients and families and for decolonizing mental health professions.