Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Mental Health and Addictions Pandemic Response Program was awarded $2,657,560 in federal funding July 10, to expand the reach of community-driven, culturally appropriate, and timely mental health and wellness services in Northern Ontario.
Services offered under this program will be co-ordinated, delivered, and promoted across the 49 First Nations communities in NAN territory by Regional Health Authorities, Tribal Councils, and community organizations, as stated in a press release.
The services will build on the foundation set by federal investments made since 2017, such as that for Mental Wellness Teams and the Choose Life Initiative.
“COVID-19 has affected nearly every facet of day-to-day life, and in particular the lives of people in remote and isolated parts of the country,” said Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, in a press release.
“First Nations communities and organizations such as NAN, KO, and SLFNHA worked tirelessly and with great leadership to address the COVID-19 crisis and its effects on the mental health of the peoples they represent. Their actions are saving lives.
“We will continue to support and work collaboratively with these partners on this First Nations-led and distinctions-based approach to meeting the specific health needs of their communities and members.”
Keewaytinook Okimakanak eHealth and the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority will be receiving $1,666,185 and $991,375 respectively to run the program.
These communities will work in tandem to provide 24/7 culturally appropriate crisis supports, triage and live service navigation, improved usage of tele-mental health supports, and will help eliminate duplication in existing mental health and problematic substance use services.
“Our First Nations are taking extraordinary measures to keep safe, and many community members are experiencing heightened feelings of isolation and uncertainty, which has understandably resulted in increased levels of anxiety and depression,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
“Without proper supporters, people in these circumstances often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, and we need to ensure they receive the support they require.
This innovative program sets out pathways to access mental health and addiction services and incorporates 24/7 rapid-access emergency and crisis support for members on and off-reserve. I congratulate everyone involved in its development and thank the government for their quick action to fund these much-needed services.”
Quick facts:
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The Government of Canada has invested almost $202 million in NAN First Nations communities through Choose Life since 2017, which has led to the support of more than 22,000 First Nation children and youth.
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The Government of Canada has invested $16,625,000 in mental wellness teams in Ontario since 2017, of which $6,125,000 was directed to NAN First Nation communities.
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The Government of Canada has made $1.7 billion in distinctions based funding available to Indigenous peoples to support them in their fight of COVID-19 to date, including $305 million distinctions based Indigenous community support fund.
