Kaa-wiichitoyaahk (We Take Care of Each Other): Comprehensive Métis Mental Wellness Community Capacity Building Implementation
This project aims to build capacity and confidence within Métis communities across British Columbia through the adaptation and province-wide scale up of LivingWorks. LivingWorks is an evidence-based mental health promotion and suicide prevention program that offers a continuum of community-based programming including integrated training, information, and resources designed to promote mental health and create a network of safety for those in crisis. The project will also collaborate with LivingWorks to develop a Métis Learning Supplement that will serve as a permanent resource to deliver courses ensuring the cultural safety of Métis participants. The project is expected to reach 18,000 Métis people across British Columbia.
Lead organization: Métis Nation of British Columbia
Building capacity and confidence within Métis communities in British Columbia
WHO
Métis individuals and communities across British Columbia
WHAT
Objectives
- Expand community-based training and mental health promotion and suicide prevention programming for Métis communities in partnership with LivingWorks
- Build Métis capacity for mental wellness
- Create a network of safety for Métis community members in crisis.
HOW
- Establish a community life promotion circle advisory panel that ensures Métis ways of learning and knowing
- Implement 3 province-wide suicide prevention training courses through LivingWorks (START, SafeTALK, ASIST)
- Create a Métis Learning Supplement for future deliveries of SafeTALK to ensure the cultural safety of Métis participants
- Host Métis Mental Health and Wellness gatherings that celebrate culture and offer mental health training
- Develop an evaluation plan; gather and share knowledge about effective interventions within Métis communities
WHERE
Settings
- Online
- Community
Implementation sites
- 39 Métis Chartered Communities across British Columbia
WHY
- Métis communities are disproportionately impacted by mental health concerns which were exacerbated by the pandemic
- COVID-19 increased isolation and disconnection from culture and community for Métis people
- There was a significant increase in Métis individuals seeking mental health supports
In the words of the project team members
“This program works to mobilize and harness the resiliency, strength and wisdom that already exists within Métis communities by bringing suicide prevention trainings to every region across British Columbia”
Key protective factors
- Resiliency and coping
- Cultural connectedness and identity
- Supportive relationships in the community
- Safe and secure environments
- Access to mental health support services
Key approaches
- Culturally safe/informed
- Métis knowledge-based
- Trauma-informed
