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Mental Health Resources

A range of resources and community services to help with a number of mental health concerns you might be facing

The Red Road Healing Society

The Red Road Healing Society is a not-for-profit Child and Family Resource Centre which offers the blend of a number of unique community-based services, to assist in supporting and creating change for our children, youth, adults and their families. The focus is always on the development of new skills to achieve some success in the future.

Since The Red Road Healing Society opened in September, 1997, we have gone from working with a handful of people to providing up to 4000 services for people a month. We primarily deal with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people from all over Canada; however, we welcome all races and nations to participate in our programs and services. We are an Accredited Early Intervention Program with Aboriginal Designation in Mentoring, Outreach, Community Day program and Crisis Intervention.

There are no fees and everyone is welcome; to either partake in programs or simply drop by for coffee. Daily newspapers, a telephone, desktop and referral binders on education, employment, health and social services are available for ‘drop in’ use. Counseling, specific referrals and home support are through appointments, and on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis. Red Road school programs of culture, literacy, tutoring, ‘Baby, Think It Over’, Tobacco and Drug Prevention are ‘on going’ throughout the year. Transportation is available for those taking programs.

For more information, or to access services, click here.

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.

It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer:

  • counselling
  • crisis intervention

Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

 

Experienced and culturally competent Help Line counsellors can help if you:

  • want to talk
  • are distressed
  • have strong emotional reactions
  • may be triggered by painful memories

If asked, counsellors can work with you to find other wellness supports that are accessible near you.
Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in:

  • Cree
  • Ojibway
  • Inuktitut

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line

Indian Residential School Survivors and Family

1-866-925-4419

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience.

For more information on the program, please refer to the FNHA website.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society - Counselling Services

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides former Indian Residential School students and their families--regardless of status or place of residence within Canada--with access to counselling, cultural, and emotional support services. The Program also provides assistance with the cost of transportation when counselling and cultural support services are not locally available.

Call 1-877-477-0775, or for more information on the program, please refer to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) website.

Substance use treatment centres for First Nations and Inuit

First Nations communities with problematic substance use challenges have access to services funded by the Government of Canada.

For information on residential treatment programs, contact a treatment centre near you. You can also contact your local regional office at the number provided below.

For information on community-based prevention programs, contact your community nursing station, health centre, band council or local regional office.

Search Alberta treatment centres here.

Honouring Life - Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention Program

Honouring Life (formerly Aboriginal Youth and Community Empowerment Strategy or AYCES) is a suicide prevention program developed to support First Nation and Métis communities by building capacity in mental wellness, resiliency, and healthy lifestyle promotion.

Indigenous youth in Alberta deserve to experience life with hope, meaning, belonging and purpose. Honouring Life will help guide Indigenous communities to have the knowledge, vision and capacity to support joyful, vibrant and purposeful youth.

Program Expansion

In July of 2018, Alberta Health provided additional funding for the Honouring Life program. This new funding allows Honouring Life to expand across Alberta serving more First Nation Communities, Métis Settlements, and the Métis Nation of Alberta.

For more information about how to submit your proposal view the following document:

If you are interested in applying for Honouring Life funding, contact Honouring Life for additional information at honouringlife@ahs.ca

Thunderbird Partnership Foundation

The Thunderbird Partnership Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to working with First Nations to further the capacity of communities to address substance use and addiction. We promote a holistic approach to healing and wellness that values culture, respect, community, and compassion. Our top priority is developing a continuum of care that would be available to all Indigenous people in Canada.

The Honouring Our Strengths Renewal Framework document is the framework for this continuum – it outlines community development programs; services for the prevention, early identification, intervention, and treatment of addiction; and the important roles of mental health and well-being in all aspects of care.

We are also committed to supporting the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework which is rooted in cultural knowledge and emphasizes First Nations strengths and capacities, building upon the Honouring Our Strengths Renewal Framework. As such, our work is guided by the four components of mental wellness outlined within the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework: HopeBelongingMeaning, and Purpose.