Indian Hospitals Foundation Engagement
Mental Health and Cultural Support
Mental Health Resources
Some people may be triggered by discussions and content related to Federal Indian Hospitals. Your well-being is important to us. If you require immediate support, please contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or at www.hopeforwellness.ca to access toll-free, 24/7 counselling and crisis intervention. These culturally-competent services are available in several dialects of Cree and Inuktitut, as well as Ojibway, French, and English.
Additionally, access to trauma-informed cultural and emotional support services for those affected by Federal Indian Hospitals are provided through Indigenous Services Canada. Please visit their website for more information.
Cultural and Emotional Support Services
Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Program (TIHCSP) provides funding to Indigenous organizations across Canada to deliver mental wellness support services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, regardless of Indigenous status or place of residence within Canada.
Who Can Access Services
Indigenous organizations provide trauma-informed, community-based cultural and emotional support services to:
Indigenous organizations provide trauma-informed, community-based cultural and emotional support services to:
- Survivors, their families, and Intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School System - Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Survivors, their families, and Indigenous people affected by the loss of missing or murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Health and Cultural Support Program
- Survivors, their families, and Intergenerational Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools Federal Indian Day Schools Health and Cultural Support Program
- Class members and potential class members of the First Nations Child and Family Services, and Jordan’s Principle Settlement Agreement, including family and community members impacted by Canada’s underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services program and the narrow application of Jordan’s Principle - First Nations Child and Family Services, and Jordan's Principle Settlement Agreement Support Services
- Survivors and their families of the Federal Indian Hospitals (Hardy) Settlement Agreement - Federal Indian Hospitals Settlement Agreement Support Services
- and any Indigenous person affected by colonialism and unresolved trauma - Expanded Trauma-Informed Health and Cultural Support Program
Community-Based Supports Available
Cultural Support Providers are Elders and Traditional Healers who are recognized and respected by their communities. Cultural Support Providers help clients safely explore and address issues related to intergenerational and childhood trauma. The type of support they offer depends on the needs of each individual and may include dialogue, ceremonies, prayers, and other traditional practices.
Emotional Support Workers are trained and experienced community-based health workers and/or peer supports. Emotional Support Workers listen, talk with clients, and help them access tools, information, and resources. They create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can express their feelings. They help clients feel heard, supported, and emotionally safe and assist with navigating health and support systems and may also refer clients to other available services when needed.
How to Access Community-Based Services
To access community-based cultural and emotional support services:
- Contact the ISC regional office or designated health authority offices in your province/territory to find the closest organization that provides these services (refer to the Indigenous Services Canada Regional Offices table below for toll-free phone numbers);
- Walk into an organization that is funded to provide services; or,
- Reach out directly to a cultural support provider or emotional support worker that you may have met at an event, or who you have been referred to by another service provider.
Indigenous Services Canada Regional Offices
| Region | Phone Number (Toll-Free) | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 1-866-495-6588 | Canada Place, Suite 730 9700 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C3 |
| Atlantic | 1-866-414-8111 | Maritime Centre, 18th Floor 1505 Barrington Street Halifax, NS B3J 3Y6 |
| British Columbia (First Nations Health Authority) | 1-866-913-0033 | 501-100 Park Royal South Coast Salish Territory West Vancouver, BC, V7T 1A2 |
| Manitoba | 1-866-818-3505 | 391 York Avenue, Suite 300 Winnipeg, MB R3C 4W1 |
| Northern | 1-866-509-1769 | 10 Wellington- Suite 1455 Sir Charles Tupper Building Floor 4C, Mailstop 6604C Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4 |
| Ontario | 1-888-301-6426 | 10 Wellington Suite 1455 Sir Charles Tupper Building Floor 4C, Mailstop 6604C Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4 |
| Quebec | 1-877-583-2965 | 2nd Floor Guy Favreau Complex East Tower 200 Rene Levesque Blvd West Montreal, QC H2Z 1X4 |
| Saskatchewan | 1-866-250-1529 | Canada Place, Alvin Hamilton Building 1783 Hamilton Street, Room 098 Regina, SK S4P 2B6 |
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
With respect to non-crisis related mental health support, some Indigenous people are eligible to receive up to 22 hours of mental health counseling through a program known as Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). The following is an unverified list of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mental health care providers who indicate they work with NIHB. We neither endorse nor recommend these mental health practitioners and have provided their details for information purposes only. Please do your own research. Note: some of these practitioners may only offer remote services.
- Bloor West Therapy, Toronto, Ontario – NIHB Program
- Indigenous Counselling | NIHB Provider | Ottawa | Toronto
- Intersections Therapy Collection, Ottawa, ON – NIHB Program
- Mental Health and Addiction Services of Ottawa – NIHB Program
- Mental Health Counselling for First Nations & Inuit
- Noojimo Health
- New Beginnings Counselling, Brantford, Ontario
- Shana Cardinal, Mental Health Therapist, Regina, Saskatchewan
- Sherry Law Counselling, Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Triello Counselling Services – Indigenous Mental Health Counselling
- Wiidookodaadiwin Counselling and Consulting