| A publication of Pine Tree Legal Assistance |
Summer 1997
Wabanaki Agency Focuses on Mental Health Needs of Native Americans
Historically, Native Americans suffering from mental illness have been underserved and less likely to use traditional mental health services. To some degree, that has happened because of a mistrust of non-Native mental health care providers.
Wabanaki Mental Health Association, NPC hopes that will change. Sharon Kindya, Susan Holmes and Dr. Kenneth Kindya are the three directors of the newly formed Association, NPC. Sharon and Susan are both professional mental health providers as well as members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. The three formed the Wabanaki agency in 1996 to focus on the mental health needs of Native Americans and to reconnect them to their cultural heritage.
What does the agency do? Wabanaki provides case management services and community support. Case management means that Wabanaki will arrange for the best possible services to meet the needs of each client and will coordinate those services. The services can be provided at the abanaki office, at a client's home, or, if necessary, in schools, jails or hospitals.
Wabanaki's community support services include trying to reconnect a client with his or her cultural roots. One way the agency works to do this is with a language and culture discussion group held once a week at the Wabanaki office on Birch Street in Bangor. The group is open to any Native American served by the agency. Group members share stories, music, and lessons in language. Wabanaki also tries to help clients attend a number of tribal social functions and to connect with tribal services and entitlements, such as Indian Health Service and Education Programs.
The agency is also working with Harvard University to discover how many Maine Native Americans suffer from mental illness. Once this is known, Wabanaki will be better able to identify the needs of this group, to help provide adequate care, to make suitable referrals, and to plan future programs.
Does the agency have plans for the future? Most definitely. Wabanaki is meeting with representatives from all Maine Tribes and the Maine Department of Mental Health to plan and open a psychiatric group home for mentally ill Native Americans. The group home would combine a psychologically sound living arrangement with a focus on Native American culture. It would be the first such home in the country. Because this is such a complicated venture that involves so many people, the home would probably not open until sometime in 1998 or 1999.
Wabanaki is now in the process of getting an outpatient license in the summer of 1997 to offer treatment to Native Americans with substance abuse and mental health problems.
Who does the agency serve? Wabanaki serves both adults and children. Adults must be Native American with Tribal/Band enrollment, 18 years or older with a major mental illness (schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, bipolar, and personality disorders) and must need help with daily living activities. In addition, adults must live off reservation.
Children must be Native American with Tribal/Band enrollment, 18 years or younger who are at immediate risk of placement outside of their homes. Children can live either off reservation or on Indian Island.
Wabanaki serves residents of Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and parts of Washington Counties.
How do I contact the agency?
227 State Street Suite 3B Bangor, ME 04401 Tel.: 207-990-0605 207-990-4346 Fax: 207-990-4784
If you think you could benefit from these services, or know someone who could, please call the agency at the numbers listed above.