OUR MISSION

This conference seeks to integrate indigenous traditional knowledge and contemporary health practices, explore macro-social and environmental factors on indigenous health, as well as promote culturally and linguistically competent prevention, treatment, research, and education. It is aimed toward building a foundation for behavioral health treatment and prevention in our communities centered on indigenous knowledge and experience.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

1.  Education using contemporary research on issues relevant to behavioral health and indigenous people throughout Micronesia.
2.  Incorporate and revive cultural values and perspectives on wellness and healing as a way to build sustainable and culturally appropriate treatment methods for Micronesian peoples.
3.  Promote decolonized methodologies, such as culturally competent and linguistically appropriate research, treatment, and outreach for our communities.
4.  Promote establishment of health care policies that are indigenous-driven/ indigenous-lead.
5. Address the stigma of seeking behavioral health services.
6.  Create networks and partnerships between behavioral health professionals and traditional healers throughout Micronesia.
7.  Publish/ share findings of the conference for educational purposes, and to benefit those who receive services.
8.  Contribute to the body of knowledge on Micronesian indigenous psychology.

TOPICS OF FOCUS

1.  Healing: Revitalization of indigenous and holistic approaches for individuals, families, and community groups.  Reawaken the use of traditional healing, native languages, and empowering our cultural identity as legitimate forms of healing.  Promote decolonized methodologies in treatment and research.
2.  Environmental Impacts and Psychological and Physical Wellbeing:  Examining the psychological and physical health impacts of climate change and other environmental injustices that result in population displacement, community trauma, dispossession of land, and fear for the future.
3. Individual, Family, and Community Trauma: Redefining trauma via the Micronesian indigenous perspective, to include but not be limited to social, environmental, and economic problems due to population displacement, marginalization, oppression, and racism.
4.  Socio-Political Changes and Policies that Impact our Health Status:  Examining the impact of national and local policies on the psychological and physical health status of our communities, locally and abroad.
5.  Suicide: Cultural perspectives on suicide in Micronesia. Examining the high rates of suicide among indigenous males and youth in the region.