Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Collip Circle Suite 200, London, ON N6G 4X8, Canada.
Saugeen District Senior School, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C4, Canada.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 2;19(17):10979. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710979.
Research on substance use challenges in First Nations communities is often deficit-focused and can reinforce paternalistic stereotypes that lead to further discrimination. In this article, we report on findings of a strengths-based Photovoice project done in collaboration with a First Nations' community in southern Ontario, Canada to better understand experiences with substance use challenges in the community. We analyzed interview data collected with seventeen individuals who have lived experience or are supporting a loved one with lived experience with a substance use challenge. Participants described sources of strength that characterized their path to wellness, including strong family and social connections, cultural practices, identity, spirituality, day-to-day activities, and helpful supports and services. Furthermore, participants made several suggestions for improving services, including the need for integrated and flexible systems of care and trustful client-provider relationships. At its core, nurturing wellness involved a transformative process involving social and/or cultural connections. The stories shared by participants demonstrate the unique and varied strengths drawn from by individuals dealing with a substance use challenge.
第一民族社区的物质使用挑战研究往往侧重于缺陷，并可能强化导致进一步歧视的家长式刻板印象。在本文中，我们报告了在加拿大安大略省南部的一个第一民族社区合作进行的一项基于优势的摄影项目的调查结果，以更好地了解社区中物质使用挑战的经验。我们分析了从 17 名具有物质使用挑战生活经验或支持有此经验的亲人的个人收集的访谈数据。参与者描述了构成他们走向健康的力量来源，包括强大的家庭和社会联系、文化实践、身份、精神、日常活动以及有益的支持和服务。此外，参与者对改善服务提出了几点建议，包括需要整合和灵活的护理系统以及值得信赖的客户-提供者关系。从本质上讲，培养健康涉及到一个涉及社会和/或文化联系的变革过程。参与者分享的故事展示了个体在应对物质使用挑战时所表现出的独特而多样的优势。
