North America Cultures: Vicki’s Case
Myeisha Pearson
Humanities and Social Science Grand Canyon University
BHS 330: Cultural and Social Diversity in Behavioral
Health Ashley Huffman
December 16, 2024
, Native America Cultures: Vicki’s Case
Understanding the essential elements of a person's culture is vital in the behavioral health sector,
as it significantly deepens our comprehension of how clients perceive their successes,
challenges, and significant life experiences. This cultural awareness illuminates the specific
obstacles they face and reveals how cultural expectations can impose additional pressures and
burdens upon them. These cultural perspectives can frequently discourage individuals from
seeking necessary mental health services, as they may be apprehensive about the potential stigma
or negative repercussions from their cultural community. This paper thoroughly investigates the
behavioral distinctions in mental health treatment approaches between Native American and
European cultures. It examines how these cultural frameworks influence the way individuals
conceptualize and approach mental health care, highlighting specific practices and beliefs that
differ between the two groups. Furthermore, it delves into the effects of enculturation—the
process of adopting the cultural norms of one’s group—and acculturation, which involves the
adoption of cultural traits from another culture, on clients’ mental health. This exploration
underscores the critical importance of cultural awareness in delivering effective and empathetic
treatment, ensuring that mental health professionals can better serve diverse populations by
considering their unique cultural contexts.
Native American and European Culture
Indigenous peoples in the United States consist of individuals who are officially enrolled or
recognized as members of a tribe or those who have a genealogical connection to Native
American ancestry of one-fourth or more (Garrett & Pichette, 2000). Throughout history, the
Native American community has endured significant hardship due to misrepresentation,
systemic racism, discrimination, extermination, racial genocide, and the denial of fundamental
human rights (Garrett & Pichette, 2000). Despite facing horrific acts aimed at erasing their
culture, Native Americans have successfully preserved core traditional values, enabling them to
maintain their customs, languages, lands, values, and beliefs. Nevertheless, the ongoing lack of
support and misrepresentation has made it increasingly challenging for individuals identifying as
Native Americans to access necessary mental health treatments. Many may feel misunderstood
and lacking support due to the cultural ignorance surrounding the history and horrific acts that
are often overlooked regarding Native Americans. It is all too easy to make assumptions about
the
Myeisha Pearson
Humanities and Social Science Grand Canyon University
BHS 330: Cultural and Social Diversity in Behavioral
Health Ashley Huffman
December 16, 2024
, Native America Cultures: Vicki’s Case
Understanding the essential elements of a person's culture is vital in the behavioral health sector,
as it significantly deepens our comprehension of how clients perceive their successes,
challenges, and significant life experiences. This cultural awareness illuminates the specific
obstacles they face and reveals how cultural expectations can impose additional pressures and
burdens upon them. These cultural perspectives can frequently discourage individuals from
seeking necessary mental health services, as they may be apprehensive about the potential stigma
or negative repercussions from their cultural community. This paper thoroughly investigates the
behavioral distinctions in mental health treatment approaches between Native American and
European cultures. It examines how these cultural frameworks influence the way individuals
conceptualize and approach mental health care, highlighting specific practices and beliefs that
differ between the two groups. Furthermore, it delves into the effects of enculturation—the
process of adopting the cultural norms of one’s group—and acculturation, which involves the
adoption of cultural traits from another culture, on clients’ mental health. This exploration
underscores the critical importance of cultural awareness in delivering effective and empathetic
treatment, ensuring that mental health professionals can better serve diverse populations by
considering their unique cultural contexts.
Native American and European Culture
Indigenous peoples in the United States consist of individuals who are officially enrolled or
recognized as members of a tribe or those who have a genealogical connection to Native
American ancestry of one-fourth or more (Garrett & Pichette, 2000). Throughout history, the
Native American community has endured significant hardship due to misrepresentation,
systemic racism, discrimination, extermination, racial genocide, and the denial of fundamental
human rights (Garrett & Pichette, 2000). Despite facing horrific acts aimed at erasing their
culture, Native Americans have successfully preserved core traditional values, enabling them to
maintain their customs, languages, lands, values, and beliefs. Nevertheless, the ongoing lack of
support and misrepresentation has made it increasingly challenging for individuals identifying as
Native Americans to access necessary mental health treatments. Many may feel misunderstood
and lacking support due to the cultural ignorance surrounding the history and horrific acts that
are often overlooked regarding Native Americans. It is all too easy to make assumptions about
the
