North Bay – Indigenous Peoples face multiple barriers in accessing adequate mental health care, primarily due to systemic racism stemming from colonial practices and policies like residential schooling. The Government of Canada is committed to addressing disparities across our universal healthcare system and ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally-based mental health resources and care, wherever they live.
Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $2.5 million for two projects led by the First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) that focus on mental health supports for Indigenous Peoples.
Under the Supporting the Mental Health of Those Most Affected by COVID-19fund, FPWC is receiving $1.5 million for its, “Gathering Our Knowledge Bundles Development and Implementation Guide” project. FPWC will create and promote a guide to help First Nations’ Mental Wellness Workforce support those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The guide will provide a framework and process to support the creation and promotion of “Knowledge Bundles” consisting of mental wellness resources and tools.
Under the Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Canada’s Health Systemprogram, FPWC is also receiving $1 million to support its project “First Nations Knowledge and Evidence: Taking Action on Systemic Racism through Cultural Safety.”FPWC will increase the number of mental health professionals in New Brunswick to provide culturally safe and inclusive mental health services and evaluation tools for First Nations populations.
The Government of Canada will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous leadership, all levels of government, partners, stakeholders, and organizations in communities across the country to improve health outcomes, increase access to adequate mental health and substance use supports, and foster healthcare systems free from systemic racism and discrimination where Indigenous Peoples feel respected, safe, and heard.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that Indigenous Peoples in Canada—no matter where they live—can access culturally safe health services without experiencing racism or discrimination. Safety in mental health services is an essential part of making them accessible to those seeking support and treatment. Together, we can combat systemic racism in our health systems in a way that is informed by the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples and based on respect, cooperation and the recognition of rights of Indigenous peoples.” – Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health
“Indigenous Peoples in Canada are at a higher risk of experiencing mental illness, and face unacceptable intersecting barriers in accessing mental health services and supports. Our government is taking action to close those gaps and support indigenous health leadership in prevention and healing. I thank the First Peoples Wellness Circle for their important work to provide culturally grounded mental health support in their communities.” – Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
“First Nations continue to face racism and inequalities when accessing healthcare services. Today’s funding is much-needed progress which will provide culturally-appropriate mental health services for First Nations people. The Government of Canada will continue to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to eliminate anti-Indigenous racism and build safe and inclusive healthcare services.” – Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services