In Sherman Alexie's novel Indian Killer, there are many characters who struggle with mental disorders. Alexie states, “She was manic-depressive and simply couldn't take care of herself,” this is just one of the mental illnesses suffered in the book (212). Mental disorders are prevalent in the United States. All races are at risk for mental illness. In the article “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Characteristics Among a Clinical Sample of Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Youth in a Large Metropolitan Area of ​​California: A Descriptive Study” Daniel Dickerson and Carrie Johnson state “AI/AN [American Indians/Alaska Natives] ages 15-24 have the highest suicide rates in the United States compared to other racial/ethnic groups” (Dickerson and Johnson, 56). mental illnesses due to the historical trauma their culture has suffered. “Native Americans” article Warren Skye, Robert Schore and Rachel Levenson state “Traditionally, AI/AN believed that all illnesses were caused by demonic interference, evil spirits, witchcraft or failure to perform an important ritual” (Skye et al). Today that belief has disappeared. Native Americans now have a modern view of disease and medicine. In the article by Bonnie Duran, Margaret Sanders, Betty Skipper, Howard Waitzkin, Lorraine Halinka Malcoa, Susan Paine and Joel Yager “Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Disorders Among Native American Women in Primary Care” they state that “Available evidence suggests that the mental illness, mental illness dysfunction or self-destructive behavior affects approximately 21% of the total AIAN population, costing approximately $1.07 billion and causing incalculable human suffering” (Duran et al, 71). In the reservations there are n...... half of the document ......039-2451-49e9-acb6-6ba5d2109f29%40sessionmgr110&vid=5&hid=106>.Saisan, Joanna, Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal. “Substance Abuse and Mental Health.” Help guide. Np, February 2014. Web. April 7, 2014. .Salgado Jr., Ernie C. “Native American Indian Killers.” The Indian journalist. Np, July 2009. Web. April 6, 2014. .Skye, Warren, Robert Schore, and Rachel Levenson. "Native Americans". NKI Center of Excellence for Culturally Competent Mental Health. Np, 2009. Web. 1 April 2014. .Szalavitz, Maia. “How Child Abuse Prepares the Brain for Future Mental Illness.” Time. Np, 15 February 2012. Web. 7 April. 2014. .