Mental Health and Substance Abuse Characteristics among a Sample of Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Youth Receiving Mental Health Services: A Descriptive Study

Background: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents experience significantly higher rates of alcohol and illicit drug abuse compared to any other ethnic/racial group in the U.S. In addition, psychiatric disorders are significant and emerging problems among AI/AN youth. Furthermore, although nearly two-thirds of AI/AN reside in urban areas, limited information is known with regard to psychiatric and substance use disorders among AI/AN youth residing in urban areas. Methods: This study analyzes baseline descriptive data through a national evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Systems of Care (SOC) program providing services to urban AI/AN youth. Results: Among 118 urban AI/AN youth, mood disorders (41.5%), adjustment disorder (35.4%) and posttraumatic stress disorder/ acute stress disorder (23.1%) were the most reported mental health diagnoses. Alcohol use (69.2%) and marijuana use (50.0%) was commonly reported used substances. With regard to psychosocial characteristics, witnessing domestic violence was most commonly reported (84.2%), followed by living with someone who had a substance abuse problem (64.7%). Also, the majority of patients demonstrated various behavior and emotional problems. Conclusions: Significant exposure to environmental stressors and traumatic events among AI/AN urban youth in this study may have resulted in high rates of various psychiatric and substance use disorders. A comprehensive treatment approach is needed in order to meet the unique needs of urban AI/AN youth including psychiatric and psychological treatments, family-based counseling, and access to culturally-relevant treatment approaches including a provision for cultural activities and healing practices.