How Mental Health Impacts Rural Communities, Focusing on Fa'afafine Community

Written by: Karrollyn Fitisone 
We might all be familiar now with the idea that mental health issues are common, and
they do not discriminate, as in anyone from any walk of life may at some point in their life,
experience poor mental health. We also know that these issues can disproportionately affect,
specific communities and in regard to our project: Rural communities, gender minorities, culturally specific groups that exist in American Samoa such as fa’afafine. The statewide
statistics suggest that some gender minorities experience hardships and mental health issues.

​More frequently and more severe than gender normative groups.  We know that this can be linked to a number of factors but that at the root of these issues is prejudice and injustice. As we continue to speak up about the importance of prioritizing mental health, we hope that the
conversation will always include our indigenous populations, and the minorities within the
minorities.  We hope that society can progress to a point where individuals are met with the care they need and at the least given the opportunity to do so, in that way we can continue to strive to achieve true mental health equity for our people.