First Nations, Indigenous
Are you, or is someone you’re worried about, a First Nations or Indigenous person? There are programs and resources available in Nova Scotia that were created specifically to address your unique concerns.
A unique set of mental health challenges
About 70% of First Nations adults living on reserves say they feel in balance physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Yet still, there are serious concerns about mental illness and social ills such as substance abuse, addiction, suicide, and violence among Aboriginal people and communities. This article offers some insight on these challenges.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
Often, mental wellness and substance use are interconnected. The FNHA supports communities that have been working to address mental wellness and substance use issues and restore balance. And it recognizes the rich and diverse assets within communities and regions and the many promising and successful practices undertaken. Read more.
Mi’kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator (MIPN)
Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Patient Navigator (MIPN) is a voluntary service that Indigenous patients & families can connect with while receiving Nova Scotia Health care and services.
Mi’kmaw and Indigenous clients and their families by facilitating and coordinating access to:
- Health care services/professionals.
- Cultural/spiritual needs.
- Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw health systems andcommunity partners that provide servicesto Mi’kmaw and Indigenous peoples.
MNIP is here to:
- Assist Mi’kmaw and Indigenous patients to overcome barriers to timely and culturally safe care.
- Be a resource for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous clients to access culturally safe, trauma informed, and person-centered care.
- Support Mi'kmaw and Indigenous clients to bridge the gap between Indigenous clients and health care professionals.
- Be a resource to Nova Scotia Health clinical staff to deliver timely and culturally safe care for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous clients.
Contact them at czmipn@nshealth.ca.
Tools
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help PhoneKids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people in English and French. Services include mental health tips and info, crisis support, professional counselling, quizzes, games and...
More Information:
17 Program(s)
Access Wellness Nova Scotia
Access Wellness is a free single-session supportive counselling service for individuals (18 years and older), couples or families.
Sessions can be held over the phone, online with video, or in-person. People can speak with a qualified professional...
Acadia First Nation Community Health Centres
Mission Statement:
Acadia First Nations Health mission is to provide health programs and services to: "Assist communities and its members to achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health through health promotion, traditional teachings...
Glooscap First Nation Health and Healing Centre
Health programs offered include:
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Aboriginal Head-Start, On-Reserve (AHSOR)
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Home and Community Care (HCC)
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Brighter Futures - health promotion
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Community Health Promotion and Injury/Illness Prevention
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Building Healthy...
Annapolis Valley First Nation Health Centre
The Annapolis Valley First Nation Health Centre is made up of a Community Health Nurse, NADACA prevention Counselor, Community Based Water Monitor and a Receptionist.
Sipekne’katik First Nation
The Sipekne’katik Health Centre has many programs available for its community to benefit from, including:
- Adult primary health care services
- Prenatal classes and services
- Parent programming
- Maternal child health services
- Public health...
Pictou Landing Health Centre
Provides health services to Pictou Landing First Nation community members, including mental health counselling.
Millbrook Health Centre
The Millbrook Health Centre provides health services to Millbrook Band members, First Nations people who reside at Millbrook First nation, and community members.
Services provided include:
- Primary health care
- Nursing services
- Dental services
- M...
Paqtnkek Health Centre
Dedicated and caring staff at the Paqtnkek Health Centre support a variety of community health promotion, education and prevention programs from Monday through Friday.
The centre provides primary health care services for adults and children, such as...
We'koqma'q Health and Wellness Department
The department provides an array of services including:
- Home and community care
- Dietician services
- Clinical therapists
- Addictions services
- Public health
- Primary care
- Palliative care
- Lab services
The department is also actively involved...
Membertou Health and Wellness Home
The Membertou Wellness Home delivers programs in heart disease/hypertension, smoking cessation, healthy weight, crisis prevention/intervention, mental health, pre-natal, diabetes foot care, addictions services, dental therapy, chronic disease, home...
Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq - Mental Wellness Team
The Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Mental Wellness Team provides case management and service navigation for First Nations persons of all ages seeking mental wellness services.
We work in collaboration with relevant community and provincial...
Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call 1-866-925-4419.
There are no fees associated with use and this service is...
Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association of Nova Scotia (NADACA)
NADACA programming is designed to deal with all aspects of substance abuse, i.e. alcohol abuse, illicit drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and solvent abuse. Our mandate is to provide accredited certified indigenous addictions prevention, education...
Hope for Wellness HelpLine
The Hope for Wellness HelpLine offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent...
Eskasoni Mental Health
Eskasoni Mental Health Services (EMHS) provides a wide range of services to the Mi’kmaq people of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Tui'kn Residential School Survivor Team...
Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
The Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line provides crisis intervention for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis or mental distress.
The...
First Nations Services
Mental Health clinicians work as part of the first nations health care team in several first nations communities. The Mental Health Clinician provides assessment, diagnosis and...
