About a decade ago, six Indigenous communities joined a new network dedicated to the mental health of Canadian youth. It was a university research project with a novel approach to care. The model has proven so successful that there is now a desire to expand it across Canada, to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
When the ACCESS Open Minds project was implemented in his home on Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia, Gage Sabattis was sceptical. A few years later, all his doubts have dissipated.
I know it works; I see it, explains the young thirty-something, who has worked as a mental health worker for six years.
It has grown so much that we have difficulty meeting the demand and getting all the young people into the same place. There are too many of us for our local infrastructure. Over the past five years, there has been a lot of progress, it is developing faster and we are able to provide help to young people more quickly, he explains.
Open in full screen mode
The project has been very successful in Eskasoni First Nation, Nova Scotia.
Photo: Taken from Facebook / ACCESS Open Minds
What the ACCESS Open Minds Network offers is a model of care adapted to young Canadians, as well as a knowledge sharing network to optimize mental health practices. Recently, the Canadian Institute of Health Research invested $1.45 million over 5 years to develop the network on a larger scale among Indigenous populations across the country.
Clifford Ballantyne, who has been involved in the project for several years in his community, the Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, is convinced of the benefits that such a network can bring to Canadian indigenous communities.
It is very important that they are in contact to share their challenges, but also their successes. That they can have other perspectives.
A quote from Clifford Ballantyne, member of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation
Among Indigenous people, there is no one way of doing things; each nation has its own ways of evolving, of moving forward, he continues. But sometimes, certain communities can draw inspiration from others to better navigate.
A variety of initiatives
In the first iteration of the project, a variety of programs and initiatives were implemented in the participating First Nations, namely Elsipogtog (NB), Eskasoni (NS), Sturgeon Lake (SK), Puvirnituq (QC), Aaschihkuwaataauch (Mistissini, QC) and Ulukhaktok (NWT).
Activities as simple as hunting, fishing, gardening, crafts and language classes have become opportunities for young people to talk about and take care of their mental health.
There are many reasons that contribute to mental health issues among Indigenous youth: a loss of connection to their culture, colonization, sometimes a sense of alienation from the land… These are very important things for well-being, says Srividya Iyer, co-founder of the network and professor of psychiatry at McGill University.
Open in full screen mode
Srividya Iyer, co-founder of the network and professor of psychiatry at McGill University (File photo)
Photo: Taken from Facebook / ACCESS Open Minds
In Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia, one of the programs that works best is a workshop on how to make your own lunch, says Gage Sabattis.
While we do this, we do much more. We give young people cooking skills, but more importantly, we get those who are isolated out of their homes and into a positive social environment. […] It’s a way to connect differently, to break isolation.
A quote from Gage Sabattis, member of the Eskasoni First Nation
The workshops also make it easier to identify and reach those with more serious problems.
When we notice a young person with a growing problem, we alert the clinical team. We can also talk with them after the workshops and guide them to services. That’s often how we recognize those who need more help, because they’re there for a reason, he says. It opens a channel of communication with the young person.
In Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan, youth took ownership of the project by building the entire ACCESS Open Minds facility.
We did the work and even a logo that reflected our indigenous knowledge, remembers Clifford Ballantyne. And instead of creating a committee [de direction]we formed a youth welfare group that did not operate in a hierarchical manner and provided an opportunity for those who were not feeling well to get support from their peers.
In Ulukhaktok First Nation in the Northwest Territories, a youth and an elder were designated to become community sentinels. They were trained to recognize early signs of mental illness, know what to do if a young person needs help, be active listeners, problem solvers and guide their peers to specialized resources.
Involving youth in program design and service delivery is a key element of the model of Srividya Iyer, who also holds the Canada Research Chair in Youth, Mental Health and Learning Health Systems.
The initiatives are different in each community, but the basic principle is the same everywhere: we must involve young people and people from the community in the design of services. If we don’t do this, we will create services that are not adapted to the needs, says Dr. Iyer.
A tailor-made approach
The model of care put forward in the six communities is based on a distinct, culturally adapted approach.
In an Indigenous context, there needs to be more emphasis on resilience, strengths and values. It’s a different approach, which is focused on culture and identity. These are very important elements for Indigenous youth, who have a very strong sense of belonging to the community, explains Dr. Iyer.
The goal is not strictly to treat the problems and symptoms of mental illness. Prevention is also at the heart of the approach.
We have a much more holistic approach, which combines a typical Western approach, such as therapy and assessment, with an approach based on more traditional and spiritual practices that appeals to the identity of young Aboriginal people.
A quote from Srividya Iyer, co-founder of the network and professor of psychiatry at McGill University
Young people can therefore both follow conventional therapy and take part in sessions focusing on hunting or fishing, for example.
Young people have the opportunity to have both types of services. That’s the vision of the network, says Dr. Iyer.
For the rest of the project, she will partner with Dr. Christopher Mushquash, who is a professor of psychology at Lakehead University in Ontario. Of Anishinabe origin, he also holds the Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Mental Health and Addictions.
Open in full screen mode
The ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Council will play an important role in expanding the network.
Photo: Taken from Facebook / ACCESS Open Minds
The ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Council and the many partners and organizations already involved in the project will play an important role in expanding the network. The active participation of Indigenous communities, elders and youth will also be essential.
Wherever the project is implemented, the foundations will be the same: rapid access to services, promotion of mental health services and the creation of a welcoming space for young people.
Another priority will be strengthening local capacity in care, by recruiting future health professionals in the communities or simply helping young people grow within the network.
That’s exactly what Clifford Ballantyne and Gage Sabattis have done, having served in various roles within their local office over the years and developing valuable mental health skills.
According to Gage Sabattis, demystifying mental health will be one of the network’s greatest contributions to Indigenous communities.
It’s important to discuss this openly to break down stigmas and gain a better understanding, he says. By tackling it together, we can help communities break down the barrier that prevents young people from seeking help.
