Dr. Richard Laughter, a Navajo psychiatrist at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, is breaking down barriers to mental health care for the Native American community by blending traditional Indigenous practices with Western medicine. As the only Navajo psychiatrist on the reservation, Laughter is working to address the shortage of mental health services in the rural Navajo Nation.
Laughter’s personal connection to his culture and his patients drives his approach to healing. Drawing upon his own experiences with family struggles and cultural traditions, he incorporates traditional practices such as sweat lodges and peyote ceremonies into his psychiatric practice. By combining these cultural observances with Western medicine, Laughter aims to provide a holistic approach to mental health care.
One of the key challenges facing the Navajo community is the lack of access to mental health care providers who understand their cultural background. Laughter’s presence as a Native American psychiatrist helps put his patients at ease and build trust in the care they receive.
Looking ahead, Laughter and the behavioral health unit at Sage Memorial Hospital are working to expand their services and incorporate more traditional healing practices. By offering options such as sweat lodges and group sessions that incorporate prayer and song, Laughter hopes to create a program that truly connects with the Navajo people and promotes healing on a deeper level.
