Mental Health

Mental Health & Addictions Services:

Mental Health & Addictions: Continuum of Community and Client Care
Our Mental Health & Addictions Services provide a holistic, client-centered continuum of care that integrates clinical expertise, culturally grounded practices, and community-based support. Designed to address the unique needs of individuals and families, our approach emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and empowerment throughout the recovery journey.

Building Rapport and Client Support:
Establishing trust is foundational to effective care. Our services begin with:

• Safe and Supportive Spaces: Providing an environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their challenges.
• Individualized Care Plans: Collaborating with clients to develop strategies for healthier lifestyles and recovery goals.
• Community Engagement: Encouraging participation in community support programs and events to foster social connections, reduce stigma, and enhance mental health.
• Harm Reduction Support: Meeting clients where they are, addressing their needs with empathy and without judgment.

Therapeutic Services:
We offer a range of therapeutic options to support mental health and addiction recovery:

• Individual and Group Counseling: Tailored sessions to address personal challenges and foster peer support.
• Cultural and Traditional Healing: Incorporating teachings, ceremonies, and guidance from Elders to support holistic wellbeing.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizing the impact of personal and historical trauma on mental health and addictions and addressing these with care.

Intake, Assessment, and Referral:
Our intake process is designed to ensure timely and appropriate care:

• Initial Consultation: A welcoming conversation to identify client needs and recovery goals.
• Comprehensive Assessments: Using culturally sensitive approaches to evaluate mental health and addiction issues.
• Referrals Process: Connecting clients to suitable treatment programs, specialists, and community resources to support their recovery journey.

Detox, Stabilization, and Treatment Coordination
Recognizing that detox and stabilization are critical steps toward treatment, we provide:

• Timely Detox Access: Supporting clients in accessing 24-hour emergency detox or stabilization programs.
• Treatment Referrals: Guiding clients through the referral process, including completing packages, arranging medical assessments, and coordinating transportation.
• Smooth Transitions: Ensuring continuity of care from detox to treatment programs.

Case Planning and Post-Treatment Support
Recovery doesn’t end with treatment; we are committed to ongoing support:

• Comprehensive Case Plans: Collaborating with clients to set achievable goals and establish clear recovery pathways.
• Progress Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to review progress and adapt plans as needed.
• Pre- and Post-Treatment Facilities: Exploring options like Our House and local programs to bridge gaps in care.

Administrative and Transportation Support
To streamline care, we provide:

• Documentation Services: Preparing and maintaining accurate records, including submissions to Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), social assistance, and internal files.
• Transportation Assistance: Ensuring clients can access harm reduction programs, medical appointments, treatment facilities, and community events that enhance recovery and social connections.

Our Approach to Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is central to our philosophy, particularly through programs like the Methadone Program, which supports clients in managing opioid use disorder. This includes:

• Education and Counseling: Helping clients understand methadone’s role in recovery.
• Care Coordination: Collaborating with healthcare providers, including a contracted Registered Doctoral Psychologist with Authorized Practice Endorsement (APE), to ensure holistic support.
• Transportation Support: Facilitating access to clinics, pharmacies, and related medical services.

Our Commitment to Community and Client Care
We are dedicated to bridging clinical and non-clinical approaches to meet the complex needs of individuals and families in our community. By integrating professional expertise, traditional healing, and harm reduction strategies, we empower clients to achieve wellness and rebuild their lives.

Whether you are seeking immediate support, long-term recovery planning, or community-based resources, we are here to walk with you on your journey toward healing, resilience, and hope.

Community & Family Support Services:

Introduction
The Community and Family Support and Prevention Services, a vital sub-department under the Mental Health Department, delivers two key Child and Family Services (CFS) programming areas: Primary (Community Supports) and Secondary (Targeted Family Supports). These areas are designed to holistically serve children, youth, teens, adults, and families, strengthening bonds and addressing challenges through culturally rooted, inclusive, and family-centered programming.

One of the sub-department’s primary focuses is ensuring that children, families, and communities have the supports they need to create safe, healthy, and positive growing environments. By providing preventative measures and proactive support, these services strive to keep children, families, and the community together, reducing the need for external authorities and ensuring that Indigenous values of family unity and care are upheld.

Our Vision
The Community and Family Support and Prevention Services are dedicated to building stronger families and a stronger community. By addressing root causes, incorporating traditional teachings, and fostering collaborative relationships, we aim to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every family member feels valued and supported.

Community Supports:
Our Community Supports focus on fostering family and community well-being. These programs and services include:

1. Family and Household Workshops: Equipping families with practical skills for managing their homes and lives.
2. Traditional Parenting Programs: Revitalizing ancestral wisdom and practices to guide parenting in the modern world.
3. Traditional Family Systems and Courtship Workshops: Exploring Indigenous perspectives on family roles, responsibilities, and relationships.
4. Community Events and Programs: Promoting togetherness and community cohesiveness through events such as:
   • Community celebrations and meals.
   • Holiday gatherings.
   • Collaborative initiatives with other departments.
5. Parent Support Group: Creating safe spaces for parents to share experiences, gain insights, and find encouragement.
6. Women’s Wellness Group: Empowering women through health, self-care, and personal development programs.
7. Teen Programs: Supporting teens with programs tailored to their unique challenges and opportunities.

These initiatives aim to build resilience, foster connection, and promote holistic well-being across all ages.

Family Supports:
Our Targeted Family Supports address more specific needs and challenges within families and the community, including:

1. Family Advocacy and Support Services: Advocating for families in need and connecting them with essential resources.
2. In-Home Parent and Child Support: Providing guidance and practical support directly in the home to ensure stability and well-being.
3. Family and Community Talking Circles: Facilitating open dialogue to share stories, experiences, and solutions.
4. Family Violence Prevention Supports: Providing education and resources to prevent and address family violence, fostering safer family environments.

These efforts focus on addressing challenges early, supporting family cohesiveness, and reducing the risk of external intervention, ensuring families remain intact and thrive within their community.

Jordan’s Principle:

Jordan’s Principle, In Memory of Jordan River Anderson

Jordan River Anderson was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, born in 1999 with multiple disabilities. Due to disagreements between federal and provincial governments over who would pay for his at-home care, Jordan spent over two years in a hospital instead of in a loving home. Tragically, he passed away at the age of five before experiencing life outside the hospital.

In his honor, Jordan’s Principle was established to ensure no First Nations child experiences similar delays in accessing essential services. It was affirmed as a legal requirement by the House of Commons in 2007 and further strengthened by Federal Court rulings in 2013 and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) decision in 2016.

What is Jordan’s Principle?
Jordan’s Principle is a legal requirement ensuring First Nations children receive the public services they need without delay or disputes over funding responsibility. It is not a program or policy but a legal obligation with no end date.

What Does Jordan’s Principle Fund?
Jordan’s Principle funding supports a wide range of health, social, and educational needs, including services tailored to the unique needs of Two-Spirit and LGBTTTQQIA children and youth, as well as children with disabilities. Examples include:

Health Services:
• Mobility aids and wheelchair ramps
• Addiction and mental health services
• Traditional healing and Elder services
• Long-term care for children with specialized needs
• Therapeutic services (speech therapy, physiotherapy, etc.)
• Transportation to medical appointments
Social Services:
• Social and personal support workers
• Land-based and cultural activities
• Respite care and specialized camps
• Programs rooted in cultural beliefs and practices
• Emergent Needs: Immediate assistance for crisis situations, such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, emergency childcare, or transportation.
Educational Services:
• School supplies and tutoring
• Psycho-educational assessments
• Assistive technologies and electronics
• Specialized school transportation

Who is Eligible?
Jordan’s Principle applies to all First Nations children aged 0-18 years in Canada who:
1. Are registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
2. Have at least one parent or guardian registered under the Indian Act.
3. Are recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle.
4. Reside on-reserve.

Jordan’s Principle is more than a legal requirement—it is a promise to First Nations children that their health, social, and educational needs will not be overlooked. It fills the gaps left by systemic inequities, ensuring every child has access to the support they need to thrive. It is a compassionate response to unmet needs, rooted in the belief that every child deserves dignity, opportunity, and the chance to grow within their family, community, and culture. Through Jordan’s Principle, we honor Jordan’s legacy by creating a brighter future, one where no child is left waiting for the care they deserve. Together, we can ensure that every child’s potential is nurtured, and their wellbeing prioritized.

Shared Services:

• Cultural Liaison
• Transportation
• Social Media Liaison

Shared Projects & Initiatives:

• CFS Reform
• CFS Housing