Exploring coping strategies and mental health support systems among female youth in the Northwest Territories using body mapping

Abstract

The mental health of young women in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, is a critical public health concern; however, there is a dearth of research that examines how this population manages mental health challenges. This study explores the self-identified strategies that female youth in the NWT use to cope with mental health issues. The arts-based qualitative method of body mapping and a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach grounded in social ecological theory was used to collect data during in-depth semi-structured interviews. Forty-one participants (aged 13-17 years) attended FOXY body mapping workshops in six NWT communities in 2013 then completed interviews regarding the content of their body maps. Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes related to coping strategies: grounding via nature, strength through Indigenous cultures, connection with God and Christian beliefs, expression using the arts, and relationships with social supports. These results can be used to develop culturally relevant, strengths-based, trauma informed interventions that improve coping and resiliency among Northern youth.

Keywords: Body mapping; Indigenous populations; Northwest Territories; intervention research; mental health; qualitative methods; youth.

Figure 1.

A typical FOXY workshop.

Figure 2.

Examples of northern First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural symbols.