ASCIRT Coordinators Gathering
ASCIRT Coordinators Gathering Report | pdf download | The First Nations Health Council hosted the first ASCIRT Coordinators Gathering held in Kelowna in November 2008. The Gathering was in response to the ASCIRT Coordinators desire to share their knowledge, challenges and best practices of their team’s approach to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. The Coordinator, Elder and two team members from each team participated in the two day Gathering which consisted of team building activities, self care activities, workshops and a special meeting of the Coordinators.
Provincial Forum on First Nations Youth Suicide “Courage, Strength and Identity”
February 21 – 23, 2007
Suicide has proven itself as an indicator of an unhealthy community for too long and First Nations are coming together to address the issue at a local level. This was the message at the 2007 Provincial Forum on Youth Suicide. Recurring themes were discussed that offered plausible solutions to improving the overall well-being of BC First Nations. Throughout this report, First Nations youth, health professionals, First Nations leadership, parents and Elders will expand on these ideas.
Books
We have some books that we would like to hand out to First Nations communities, First Nations organizations, front line workers, etc on a first come first served basis.
1) Canoe Journey Life’s Journey:
A Life Skills Manual for Native Adolescents: June La Marr, Ph.D. and G. Alan Marlott, Ph.D. – a like skills curriculum is intended to provide Native youth with the opportunity to develop skills to help them make choices that motivate positive actions while avoiding the hazards of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
For further information, please contact Jean at 604-913-2080.
First Nations Youth Gathering 2008
A Youth Committee was formed in August 2008 to plan a Youth Wellness Gathering which would empower First Nations youth and provide opportunities for them to learn to positively express themselves. The gathering, called “Finding the Strength Within,” was held at Sts’sailes Lhawathet Lalem, Chehalis Healing House, Harrison Mills, from October 24th to 26th, 2008. The participants experienced a positive atmosphere of traditional culture, inspiring speakers, and friendship.
To request hard copies please don’t hesitate to contact us at:
so’flynn@fnhc.ca
call toll free 1-866-913-0033.
Download in pdf format
Mental Wellness is the balance between the social, physical, spiritual and emotional life of a First Nation’s person. Mental Wellness is far more than the absence of mental illness and has to do with all aspects of a person’s life. The First Nations Health Council is committed to supporting communities grow stronger, mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. The impacts of colonization and residential schools have negatively affected first nation’s individuals and communities for generations. In addition, First Nations people face higher levels of poverty and substance misuse per capita than other British Columbians. In order to address these health gaps the mental wellness coordinator will:
• Find out where the service gaps are;
• Ask communities what is needed,
• Support communities to develop their own infrastructure and capacity.
As a demographic, First Nations are not accessing mental health services available to all British Columbians. This reflects the need for culturally appropriate service delivery solutions. The First Nations Health Council believes in a strength based approach concerning the well being of our First Nations people and communities. We are working with a number of communities that have built their own solutions to the mental health issues affecting First Nations in BC.
The First Nations Health Council is working with the Province to build a Mental Health Plan for British Columbia. Being a part of this process allows FNHC to be a part of the bigger picture and support communities to begin the process of creating their own Community Mental Wellness Plans.
In addition, FNHC is currently working with First Nations and Inuit Health on a Needs Assessment for Addictions programs in British Columbia. The work will be done over the next fiscal year and a document will be produced when the findings have been completed.
Many communities are already developing very exciting protocols and projects. For example the Tsawout Nation is working on a community crisis protocol where many of the stakeholders and other services groups are working together to develop a system that is safer and culturally sensitive.
Objectives for 2008:
• Complete the BC First Nations Suicide Prevention Strategy Report
• Develop an Aboriginal Suicide Critical Incident Response Team (ASCIRT) Toolkit
• Gather ASCIRT Coordinators to share best practices and provide professional development
• Conduct a regional needs assessment for the NADAP program
• Youth Suicide prevention conference in October
• Develop culturally appropriate addictions beds
The mental wellness coordinator is responsible to forward the action items identified in the BC Tripartite First Nations Health Plan and the TCA: First Nations Health Plan in the area of mental health and addictions. The mental wellness coordinator is responsible for planning, research, writing, communications, networking, and advocacy for all work pertaining to these three actions items:
8) Adult Mental Health, substance abuse as well as young adult suicide will be addressed through an Aboriginal Mental Health and Addictions Plan.
9) The First Nations Leadership Council and the Province will host a forum for all health authorities (Aboriginal Leads and Executive members) and First Nations Elders and youth to support and encourage learning about First Nations heritage, cultures and spirituality, and develop models of youth suicide prevention.
10) Develop new culturally appropriate addictions bed/units for Aboriginal people.