A groundbreaking culturally responsive approach to mental health care used by North American native peoples will be the subject of a special lecture at The University of Western Australia in July.
The Sweetgrass Method, which blends Indigenous wisdom, healing and culturally grounded approaches with clinical practice, was developed by internationally renowned psychologist Dr Mark Standing Eagle Baez, a citizen of the Coahuiltecan Tribe with Mohawk, Pawnee and Mexican heritage.
Dr Baez’s work in mental health and wellness focuses on Indigenous communities and emphasises culturally responsive assessment and strengths-based, holistic care, with his Sweetgrass Method weaving Western evidence-based practices with Indigenous knowledge.
He will discuss the method alongside Dr C. Allison Baez, a proud member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation and training and technical coordinator with Tribal Tech, a Native American company empowering communities and individuals with the knowledge and resources to achieve better health, security and wellbeing.
Her research centres on Native populations, with her work seeking to strengthen and empower American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families and communities through culturally responsive approaches, collaboration and education.
Drawing on community-based experience and research, the presenters will explore how relationality, spirituality, and cultural identity can ethically and effectively be incorporated into mental health assessment, prevention and intervention.
The presentation will draw special attention to Indigenous social determinants of health, engagement in care, and practical strategies for clinicians working alongside Indigenous communities in respectful and collaborative ways.
The lecture is co-hosted by the UWA School of Psychological Science, the Boorn Centre – a consortium led by UWA with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia – and the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association.
The public lecture, The Sweetgrass Method: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom and Clinical Practice in Mental Health Care, will be held at The University Club of Western Australia from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday 14 July.
For more information and to register attendance click here.