Improving Health and Mental Wellness in Indigenous Communities
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 870
Special Issue Editor
Interests: health literacy; community-based participatory research; American Indian populations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The inherent strength of Indigenous cultures and communities is that these communities contain all that is essential for ensuring health and well-being. However, colonization, systemic marginalization, and intergenerational trauma have contributed to the significant health inequities that challenge Indigenous populations today. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that centers traditional knowledge, community-driven health programs, and culturally sensitive healthcare practices. Indigenous languages, ceremonies, and spiritual beliefs promote a sense of belonging and holistic health that encompass physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Strong cultural connections have been shown to enhance mental wellness, mitigate the effects of intergenerational trauma, and elevate self-determination in health. By centering cultural values and knowledge throughout approaches to health promotion, Indigenous communities can improve health outcomes and restore balance to individuals and their broader communities. This Special Issue seeks to explore innovative strategies to improve health and mental wellness in Indigenous communities. Emphasizing community-engaged and emergent Indigenous methodologies, the aim of this Issue is to highlight interdisciplinary research and success stories that promote self-determination, health, and well-being. Submissions are encouraged from Indigenous researchers and those working with communities focused on health and wellness.
Dr. Vanessa Simonds
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Keywords
- indigenous health equity
- mental wellness in indigenous communities
- culturally based interventions
- community driven
- participatory research
- intergenerational trauma
- decolonizing health and medicine
- indigenous methodology
- holistic wellness approaches
- indigenous-led health initiatives
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