Disconnect to reconnect: Breaking down barriers and enhancing social connections amongst the Indigenous communities & education institutions
Koski, R., Lee, A., Harnoth, K., Nucup, M., & Rondeau, C.
Various studies have been conducted in recent years on the social isolation of the general population and marginalized Indigenous communities. Research done by CSCS (2021), indicates that Indigenous people were just as likely as other populations to be at risk for loneliness, however, lower incomes and mental health disabilities caused greater scores in social isolation. Indigenous populations have experienced various intersecting, such as trauma and stigmatization, which can cause both physical and mental health disabilities (Wallace et al., 2021). Indigenous people are also at an increased risk of greater social anxiety and social phobia compared to others (CSCS, 2021), due to factors such as intergenerational trauma and isolation from living on reserves (Wallace et al., 2021).