If you or someone you know is in crisis and in need of immediate help, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
There are a variety of mental health services available for Indigenous people. Some programs are culture-based specifically for Indigenous peoples. Others are mainstream services offered to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and in need of immediate help, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
Phone: 1-855-242-3310
Website: www.hopeforwellness.ca
The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online ‘chat’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Both telephone and online chat services are available in English and French. Telephone support is also available upon request in:
Phone: 1-800-721-0066
Website: www.irsss.ca
Indian Residential School Survivor Society is based in Vancouver.
IRSSS provides essential services to Residential School Survivors, their families, and those dealing with Intergenerational traumas. These impacts affect every family and every community across B.C. and Canada. This fact is most evident in the Corrections Canada Services-the numbers of First Nations people incarcerated, Child and Family Services child apprehensions, the high number of people on social assistance, unemployment and underemployed, lower levels of education, the lowest number within an ethnic minority of “determinants of health”, the list of impacts is extremely high while the services available to effectively assist impacts of Residential Schools remain quite low.
Website: www.kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/first-nations-inuit-and-metis/
Can connect to an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, OR METIS to 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults or through facebook.
Phone: 416-360-0486
Website: www.aht.ca
AHT Mental Health Services offer a multi-disciplinary approach to care including counselling services with the option of traditional counsellors or mental health counsellors, as well as psychiatry, psychology and case management. All services are offered in-person, virtually or over the phone. They use a long-term case management model to provide support which considers the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs of every individual.
Phone: 416-535-8501 ext 2 or 1-800-463-2338 ext 2
Website: www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/aboriginal-substance-use-outpatient--counselling-service
The Aboriginal Service provides outpatient groups and individual counselling to Aboriginal people experiencing substance use and mental health issues, as well as support to clients who are in CAMH inpatient programs.
The treatment team includes Aboriginal Social Workers and an Elder/Traditional healer, as well as access to psychiatry. The Aboriginal Service blends therapeutic and psycho-educational groups with cultural programming and ceremonies as part of a holistic approach to care. In addition to other ceremonies, CAMH has an onsite Sweat Lodge that can be utilized as part of a client’s treatment plan.
Website: www.metisnation.org/programs-and-services/healing-wellness/mental-health-and-addictions-services/
24-hour Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Crisis Line
For culturally specific mental health and addiction supports for adults, youth, and families in Ontario (available in English and French) please call: 1-877-767-7572. Once connected services can be delivered in person, over the phone, or by video conference.
Mental Health and Addictions Program
The MNO’s Mental Health and Addictions Program is offered Ontario-wide and includes a wide range of services and supports to Métis children, youth, and adults. Services are delivered in person, over the phone, or by video conference. The MHA Program provides access to comprehensive assessment, treatment, and follow up services from mental health and addictions professionals, many of whom are both and/or bilingual:
Phone: 416-535-8501 ext 2 or 1-800-463-2338 ext 2
Website: www.ofifc.org
The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres designs dozens of programs to address the needs of urban Indigenous communities across the province.
OFIFC programs are delivered by Friendship Centres and other local organizations, creating the largest urban Indigenous program and service delivery network in Ontario.
Programs are culturally relevant, trauma informed and delivered in safe and accessible environments. Friendship Centres are Indigenous community hubs that provide a place for Indigenous people to gather and access a range of services including Children and Youth, Education, Employment, Health, Healing and Wellness, Homelessness and Justice programming.
© 2021 Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation
Charitable Registration Number: 752469536RR0001