As we enter this new month, under the guidance of Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, we honor the strength, wisdom, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and communities. In Indigenous psychology, wellbeing is often rooted in connection to land, to community, to ancestors, to spirit, and to one another. Approaches to mental health and psychological care in Indigenous contexts emphasize holistic balance, relationality, cultural identity, ceremony, story, and collective healing.

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We invite you this November to centre these strengths: to re-connect, to heal in ways that honor cultural roots, to offer compassion to yourself and others, to listen, to share, and to remember that psychological wellness is more than the absence of distress, it is the presence of meaningful relationships, purpose, and groundedness in community and tradition.

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Four major psychological issues that often arise in November

Here are some of the key mental‐health-related challenges people may face in this season, especially within Northern-hemisphere contexts, along with links to relevant work from the American Psychological Association (APA) or affiliated literature:

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1. Short­er days and declining light (Seasonal Affective Patterns)
   As daylight hours shrink and the transition to winter begins, many experience increased fatigue, mood changes, sleep disruption, and a drop in interest in usual activities. Mayo Clinic | alert.psychnews.org+1
    

2. Transitions, endings & the pressure of holidays
   November often signals a time of change: the end of harvest season, preparations for holidays, gatherings or absence of them, as well as reflection on loss or change from the past year. For many, this transition can stir grief, anxiety, or disconnection.
   APA link: While not a dedicated “holiday stress” article, the Poll above notes that mood declines are more common in rural areas and among women/mothers, pointing to added burdens in this transition. [See same link above.]
    

3. Financial or work uncertainty
   For many people the year‐end brings financial stress: upcoming bills, increased spending, uncertainty about work schedules, or disruptions (including ones tied to government operations). These stressors can increase anxiety, depression, and relational tension.
   APA link: See APA’s statement on proposed cuts to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which reflects how systemic stressors and resource uncertainty impact mental health infrastructure.
    

4. Isolation & cultural disconnection
   In Indigenous communities and beyond, as seasons change there can be increased feelings of disconnection, from land, from community, from ceremony or cultural practices, especially for people living away from their homelands or cultural base. Care for identity and relational belonging becomes critical.
   
   APA link: While not an APA press release per se, the article “Indigenous community psychologies, decolonization, and radical imagination…” (published in an APA-indexed journal) ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Federal Regulations updates for 2025

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Turquoise Alert: Arizona's Commitment to Missing Indigenous PersonsIn a significant legislative move, Arizona has passed House Bill 2281, establishing the "Turquoise Alert" system for missing Indigenous persons. This alert system, named in honor of 14-year-old Emily Pike, aims to raise awareness and expedite responses to cases involving Indigenous individuals. It's a step toward healing and justice for families and communities affected by such tragedies.

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With the introduction of new legislation limiting EDI programs, experts are shifting toward inclusion-focused approaches to ensure support while balancing diverse needs. Leaders like Tabbye Chavous, PhD, emphasize the ongoing importance of EDI in promoting equitable access and success. Ella F. Washington, PhD, notes that EDI initiatives have faced fluctuations in support over the years, encouraging organizations to stay consistent in their commitment.

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To explore more about how EDI efforts are evolving, visit the APA website.

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Updates: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule on July 10, 2024. Find more info: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/cms-federal-rule 
 

Medicare changes in 2025. The final rule on the 2025 Medicare physician fee schedule brings some good news for psychologists and aims to increase access to behavioral health services. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/2025-medicare-changes
 

Extensions of telehealth access options. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rules (“Final Rules”) Are Released: Plans and Issuers Must Prepare for January 1, 2025 Effective Date (US). Find more info: https://www.triagehealthlawblog.com/hhs/mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act-final-rules-final-rules-are-released-plans-and-issuers-must-prepare-for-january-1-2025-effective-date-us/