Shelby Rowe | Decolonizing Mental Health

A co-production of Rada Studio and WORLD Channel

Shelby Rowe was five when her grandmother asked her to hide her Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood. Like her, many Native youth grow up trying to pass as white which, as Rowe knows as a suicide prevention advocate, has adverse effects on their mental health. For trauma-informed mental healthcare to be effective, there has to be justice - something Native Americans have been denied systemically.

If you or a loved one is looking for support, the following resources are here to help.

- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK(8255) or Lifeline Chat 

- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor for free 24/7 support  

- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 800-662-HELP(4357)

- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

More contacts are available and listed on our resources page. 

DECOLONIZING MENTAL HEALTH examines the obstacles that systemic inequality imparts on the mental health industry, preventing BIPOC and other marginalized communities from receiving appropriate treatment. All episodes will be streaming online, on YouTube, on PBS Mysteries of Mental Illness and the PBS app.

Discuss and engage on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MentalHealthPBS and tagging us @worldchannel.

Subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube for more features including events and interviews.