Mental Health and COVID-19 Supports
Exploring the resilience and protective factors that promote mental health and wellness for Indigenous youth, with the aim of compiling project teachings and sharing with our kin across the nations.
WHO
Indigenous youth residing on the First Nation of Mistawasis.
WHAT
Objectives
- Using the cultural, traditional and spiritual practices of the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak people, the project will implement positive ways to engage and recreate connections with youth, their families and their communities as well as work with systems to address current gaps and create new multisystem pathways for care.
- The project will provide immediate mental health well-being interventions for 50 – 80 youth from Mistawasis Nehiyawak through culturally-based mental health promotion designed to support and build resiliency in youth through various activities.
HOW
Engaging with all systems (e.g., education, health and recreation) the project activities include:
- Mental Wellness Education and Awareness Curriculums delivered K to 12 students and parents.
- Mobilize Youth Empowerment social platforms and engagement and connection activities.
- Cultural wrap around approach with targeted mental health screening and intervention
- Stabilization service pathway and policy with partners on and off reserve
WHERE
Settings
- School
- Home
- Community
Implementation sites
- Three site locations at the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nations reserve, Saskatchewan.
WHY
- Mistawasis Health Centre have identified that the population of youth have suffered the most and have exuded serious mental health challenges.
- There are substantial increased rates of youth disengaged from school, from their families and their communities that suffer from conditions created by the pandemic.
- The Health Centre is focused on pivoting from crisis intervention to community engagement and connection through health promotion, intervention and pathways to recovery and resiliency.
Key protective factors
- Mental Health Literacy
- Supportive relationships in the community
- Cultural connectedness and identity
- School connectedness
- Involvement in community and group activities
Key approaches
- Culturally safe
- Wraparound support
Website
