First Nations communities to receive tailored mental health info

Mental health services will soon be easier to access for those living in Nova Scotia's First Nations communities.

A pilot project will send a wellness team to each of the province's First Nation communitiesto inform residents about what services areavailable and how to access them.

The Eastern Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Mental Wellness team ispiloting the program in all five communities in Unama'ki or Cape Bretonas well as PaqtnkekMi'kmaw First Nation in Antigonish County.

Filling the gaps

Nadia House, the leader for the eastern division of the Mainland Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Mental Wellness team, says the groupwill look at what is missing in these communities and try to fill the gaps.

"Eskasoni, for instance, has a lot of wonderful services," she said. "We can see what they have, and look at other communities to see what they don't have, and maybe try to provide that,or help them advocate to provide those services there."

The four-person wellness team is based out of Membertou.In addition to House, Richard Young is the cultural support adviser,John Rolls is the advocacy case manager and Megan Bowers is the behaviouralsupport adviser for children and youth.

Tailored program

Programs will be tailored to each community, House said, because each community isdifferent.

Young noted not every community is fluent in Mi'kmaq and not every community has a strong culture.

He said the team will adapt to the needs of each communityby, for example, providing smudging or spiritual guidance when desired.

"To achieve wellness, you need the whole community. You need to connect people with eldersand culture and language and activitiesjust to find a sense of identity and to find healing," Young said.

Community outreach meetings will beheld over the coming weeks.

The pilot project runs untilMarch 31, 2019.