Day 4: 6/13/18
I have learned that the women are highly respected in Cherokee culture. Women are the "givers of life," and the men and the women have traditionally both helped raise and provide for the children. Also, I have learned that the whole family may be involved in helping raise the children. The elders have much respect and authority in the Cherokee culture. This is because the Cherokee people see them as having an abundance of knowledge and wisdom. At the rehab/psychiatric clinic today, we were told that the Cherokee believe the elders have a lifetime of knowledge and experience, but once they die they take that with them. This is also another reason why they believe it is so important to listen and learn from their elders. So far, I have observed family structures of women with children, men with children, and older adults with children. Thinking back, I do not remember seeing a Cherokee man and woman together with a child or children.
Since being at Cherokee, I have felt a strong sense of community support for each other. This makes sense because at one time, and for a very long time, each other is all they had. At the clinic today, we were told that ostracizing yourself from the community is like a death sentence. The Cherokee community comes together and supports each other, and they are their main support system.
Most children and families who are resilient have a good support system or they support each other, a daily routine, a positive self-view, and are accepting of change. There needs to be some sort of support system in order for a child to be resilient, and in the Cherokee culture the support system is all around them. At the church today, we talked to the preacher and his wife who have fostered Cherokee children. They are so kind, accepting, and genuinely want to help their community. They are just one couple on the reservation, and I am sure there are so many more that are willing to help the Cherokee children who may not have the best home life. The support system is all around them, and that is what makes the Cherokee people "bounce back."
Another thing I learned about their support system is the openness the Cherokee people have regarding mental illness and addiction. Back home I feel like if someone is mentally ill, it is not something that we talk about. If someone has an addiction, it is something that we try to keep "hush hush." But here, there are so many people who are open-minded and simply want to help the people recover. Addiction and mental illness is a huge problem on the reservation and with Native American people in general. With the support that they receive here, I honestly feel like they will overcome it one day.
Since being at Cherokee, I have felt a strong sense of community support for each other. This makes sense because at one time, and for a very long time, each other is all they had. At the clinic today, we were told that ostracizing yourself from the community is like a death sentence. The Cherokee community comes together and supports each other, and they are their main support system.
Most children and families who are resilient have a good support system or they support each other, a daily routine, a positive self-view, and are accepting of change. There needs to be some sort of support system in order for a child to be resilient, and in the Cherokee culture the support system is all around them. At the church today, we talked to the preacher and his wife who have fostered Cherokee children. They are so kind, accepting, and genuinely want to help their community. They are just one couple on the reservation, and I am sure there are so many more that are willing to help the Cherokee children who may not have the best home life. The support system is all around them, and that is what makes the Cherokee people "bounce back."
Another thing I learned about their support system is the openness the Cherokee people have regarding mental illness and addiction. Back home I feel like if someone is mentally ill, it is not something that we talk about. If someone has an addiction, it is something that we try to keep "hush hush." But here, there are so many people who are open-minded and simply want to help the people recover. Addiction and mental illness is a huge problem on the reservation and with Native American people in general. With the support that they receive here, I honestly feel like they will overcome it one day.
Do you think the open minded-ness regards mental illness and addiction helps improve patient outcomes?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. There is still a strong stigma surrounding mental illness and even people who work with mentally ill patients. The people who work with mentally ill patients and recovering addicts need to remain open-minded and be willing to listen to the patient's story without any judgment. This is obviously much easier said than done, but it will surely improve patient outcomes.
DeleteOne of my other favorite things was going to the rehab center. First of all, it was gorgeous and so remote. It really is an escape for the patients who need to be separated from the harmful environment they were in. Although they are still developing and growing their facility and treatment plans for their patients, I could tell from sitting in on the meeting that they do have a high concern for the individuals they care for and really want the best outcome for them.
ReplyDelete