Aboriginal Community Mental Health Programme

Goals & Objectives

Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (MHLTC), the ACMHP provides individualized assessment, care planning and evaluation of services provided to the client and advocacy on behalf of the client as needed.

The objectives are:

To maintain a working relationship and to network with government and social agencies concerned with the mental health of urban Aboriginal people;
To provide mental health programmes and services to urban Aboriginal people regardless of their legal definition;
To promote culturally appropriate mental health services for clients; and,
To provide Aboriginal cultural sensitivity training to mainstream mental health services providers as a key component in addressing partnerships and a continuum of care for Aboriginal clients.

Programme Summary

The ACMHP client base are self-identified Aboriginal people sixteen years of age or more. The programme provides intakes and assessments; supportive counselling; life skills development; cultural support services; crisis intervention; advocacy; referrals; education and Aboriginal mental health awareness to non-Aboriginal agencies. Services are primarily one to one, but they are also provided in group settings such as Anger Management workshops. The two main services provided are cultural support services and counselling. Traditional programming is offered within counselling services and cultural support services. These services include but are not limited to: Sweat lodge, Pipe ceremony, Cedar Bath, Talking Circles, Full Moon Ceremony, Sharing Circle and One on One sessions with Traditional Healers. Referrals are often made to Wasa-Nabin, the Children’s Mental Health Programme, the Alcohol and Drug Worker Programme and to external community mental health programmes.

Focus on Success

During this fiscal year, the programme has provided services to 117 clients, 28 male and 89 female, exceeding the required client caseload of 100 set by the MHLTC. In addition to direct client services, the ACMHP Workers conduct outreach in the community, promoting awareness of mental health in an Aboriginal context, including cultural sensitivity. The clients of the ACMHP have stated that the programme provided them with a safe place to learn about their mental health issue, to receive culture-based services and support to receive a medical diagnosis for their mental health issue.

Development

In 2009, the Ontario government announced a mental health and addictions discussion paper. The OFIFC has responded to the paper, stating that there was a lack of acknowledgement of Aboriginal people in the consultation, planning and development of the paper, therefore it does not adequately reflect the needs of Ontario’s Aboriginal population. An Aboriginal-specific Mental Health Strategy would respect Aboriginal people’s right to self-determination in health and strengthen relationships between stakeholders to ensure the mental health needs of Aboriginal people are effectively addressed and funded. In terms of the OFIFC ACMH programme, caseload requirements are being met, demonstrating that the need for mental health services are needed, however, evidence is needed to advocate for expanded programmes in other Friendship Centre communities. An evaluation and additional research will be required to advance this position with government.

The OFIFC will continue to enhance the capacity of the Workers to provide effective mental health services. OFIFC will be offering certification in Cognitive Motivational Therapy, a course offered at George Brown College.