Jacy has been feeling sad, guilty, and helpless...
about being stuck in the work situation he is in. He doesn’t believe he will ever get financial independence now, much less the ability to help his family. On one visit to the health clinic, a physician he trusts asks him questions about he is feeling. Jacy decides to open up to this doctor, Dr. Hart, about his frustrations and hopelessness. Dr. Hart determines that Jacy meets the criteria for a depression screening and mental health analysis. Dr. Hart asks Jacy how he would like to seek help, knowing that Native American patients may prefer to seek help from a spiritual or traditional healer.
After seeing several indigenous people in the clinic over the years, a few HCPs including Dr. Hart had sought out local training from a healthcare leader who is also part of a tribal council. Through that relationship, the clinic developed a working relationship with a mental health professional familiar with traditional Native American healing systems which focus on balancing emotions, mind, body, and spirit through a connection with place and land.
Follow this story throughout this course.