Nationally, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May since the 1940s as a means to raise awareness, reduce stigma and normalize conversations about mental wellness. Chikasha Anokfilli (thinking Chickasaw) is a year-round initiative envisioned by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby to help further elevate mental health and wellness across the Chickasaw Nation.
In May 2022, Governor Anoatubby declared by proclamation the month of May as Chikasha Anokfilli (Thinking Chickasaw) Month to emphasize the importance of mental wellness to overall health and wellbeing, and highlight the Chickasaw Nation’s commitment to offering an array of programs designed to enhance mental wellness.
“Chikasha Anokfilli calls upon all Chickasaw Nation departments to support and further enhance the mental wellness of others. As Governor Anoatubby has often said, we are family, and families take care of one another, especially in times of need,” Josh Bess Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Family Services, said.
The Chickasaw Nation’s approach to mental wellness is designed to reflect the Chickasaw Nation’s mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people. It is also guided by the Chickasaw Nation’s core values and culture, Bess explained.
“Our culture is so important to us. It connects us back to the long-standing and deep importance Chickasaws have always placed on overall wellness.”
Connection to one’s own culture is a protective factor of mental wellness, he said. “Knowing who you are, where you come from and that you’re a part of something much greater than yourself has a huge determining factor on someone’s mental wellness,” he said. “It gives you a strong foundation of who you are and the building blocks to support mental wellness and well-being.”
Physical health, mental health, community and culture all play a huge role in someone’s mental wellness, Bess said
“We continue working to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health support and services. It is so important to normalize seeking care and support for mental health. We can look at mental health and overall mental wellness of an individual through the lens of self-care,” he said.
Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being. It can take the form of pursuing much-loved hobbies such as gardening, reading a favorite book, bowling, fishing, adopting a new diet or exercise routine, or getting adequate sleep. It can also take the form of seeking support from a trained mental health professional when additional support is needed. Think of mental wellness as something that can be supported through daily maintenance and attention, Bess said.
“I want people to know that they can contact us any time for support. Our team remains ready to greet folks with love, compassion and understanding. We aim to provide the support needed to improve one’s overall mental wellness and well-being.”
The Chickasaw Nation Department of Family Services is positioned as a judgment-free entry point offering confidential help at any time. A primary goal of these services and a shared commitment is to ensure no one feels they must “suffer in silence,” replacing the stigma of seeking mental health with a culture of active support and resources, Bess said.
Bess said he is grateful to serve the Chickasaw Nation for this reason.
“The Chickasaw Nation values the overall health and well-being of our citizens and employees. We provide an array of mental health services to Chickasaws and other First Americans. We also have mental health services available to Chickasaw Nation employees through our Strong Foundation program, so we are positively impacting the mental health and wellness of our workforce.
“We are very blessed to have the support and resources to implement mental health services here in the Chickasaw Nation,” Bess said.
Chikasha Anokfilli
Emphasizing prevention and early intervention, the Chikasha Anokfilli initiative seamlessly integrates mental health into the Chickasaw Nation’s overall health services.
Located at Chickasaw.net/MentalWellness, the Chikasha Anokfilli page includes resources from mental health professionals offering support for trauma, grief, suicide awareness and prevention, financial and cultural wellness, and more.
Programs and Services
Resources, including counseling services and crisis intervention, are available to address mental wellness concerns and support the needs others.
The Chickasaw Nation also provides mental health services for Chickasaw citizens and other First Americans who are patients of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health (CNDH). In conjunction with the Chickasaw Nation Department of Family Services, as part of the integrated health care team, Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) professionals support individuals and families through culturally sensitive, team-based mental health services available at all CNDH locations.
By embedding mental health into every level of care, the Chickasaw Nation ensures individuals and families have access to timely, coordinated support that honors the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of well-being. Services include mental health crisis intervention for all ages, with emergency crisis support available as needed — including after hours and holidays — at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center Emergency Room.
Chickasaw Nation Prevention Services works to improve the overall health and quality of life of Chickasaw citizens, families and communities by promoting emotional well-being and reducing mental illness and substance misuse through education.
Chickasaw Nation Outpatient Services provide mental health treatment through counseling services and therapy groups.
The Chickasaw Nation Medical Family Therapy program is a unique approach to overall health, addressing the biological, psychological, social, mental and spiritual health of patients and their families in a medical setting.
The Chokma Pilachi “to send along in a good way” program provides psychological assessments for adults and children, including assessments for developmental delays, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and more.
The Chickasaw Nation Pediatric Collaborative (CNPC) connects parents and providers with experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mental health and developmental pediatrics. The CNPC works with a child’s treatment team throughout assessment and treatment to support the unique needs of the child.
Hofanti Chokma “to grow well” workshops offer evidence-based strategies to the public for guiding behaviors of children and teens. Kilimpichi “to make strong” provides high-quality and up-to-date parenting information to families interested in learning more about nurturing behaviors.
The Strong Foundation is a mental health service providing support and counseling. A team of licensed therapists is trained to address and alleviate mental health concerns, and employees get direct access to therapy services as often as needed at no extra charge. Counseling sessions are confidential, with a focus on early treatment of problems like stress, depression and anxiety.
The Hina' Chokma' “good road” program provides a healthy community and integrated treatment services in a trauma-informed residential substance abuse treatment program.
Nittak Himitta' “a new day” is a culturally guided, trauma-informed residential treatment program.
The Chickasaw Children’s Village provides a safe and nurturing homelike environment for youth. Staff develop individual needs assessments and work to address each student’s emotional, spiritual, social and physical needs. Applicants must be First American students in grades 1-12 and eligible for enrollment in Kingston Public Schools.
Aalhakoffichi' “a place for healing” serves youth and their families with support and recovery services stemming from mental health, substance abuse or family relational issues.
The Masali: Healing to Wellness Court is designed to assist those who are facing criminal charges for drug- and alcohol-related offenses. The program aims to give participants an opportunity at experiencing healing and recovery.
Violence Prevention Services assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who are residing or relocating within the Chickasaw Nation.
Learn more
For more information, visit Chickasaw.net/MentalWellness for a full list of support services, helpful videos, educational resources, eligibility requirements and more.