International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Public health

Objectives: To present “Sami Psychiatric Youth Team” (Samisk Psykiatrisk Ungdoms Team). The Team was opened in 1990 and the main office is located in Karasjok municipality, in Northern Norway. The Team’s catchment’s area is the five largest indigenous Sami municipalities located in the inland area of Finnmark County. The municipalities are all included in “The Saami Language Act of Norway”. The Team serves adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 30 years. The Team’s main issues are prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviour problems and substance abuse.

Study Design/Method: The Team emphasizes a cultural sensitivity approach. First, a) the Team staffs are cross professional including psychologists, social workers and a medical doctor, and b) the staffs have either indigenous heredity or native Sami language competence themselves, or formal education in Sami culture competence e.g. knowledge about the past- and present-day history of the Sami culture and life. Secondly, a) the clients/adolescents have easy access to the treatment facilities as they are able to admit themselves for treatment (not only school nurses, social workers etc.), b) the adolescents are able to receive treatment in their local communities, and c) there is an extensively use for short message services (SMS) – both for arranging appointments and as part of clinical intervention.

Results: One fifth of the clients have admitted themselves for treatment. Extensively uses of SMS have increased the Teams accessibility for communicating with indigenous Sami adolescents. SMS have been especially useful in cases of intervention with adolescents who report self-harming, suicidal thoughts and attempts. There has also been a declined the dropouts’ rates due to SMS.

Conclusion: When working in a clinical setting with indigenous adolescents with mental health problems it is important to emphasize both a cultural sensitivity approach and easy access to the treatment facilities.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)