Mental Health Program

M’Chigeeng Health Services provides mental health and addictions services to community members of M’Chigeeng First Nation. Services include both direct and indirect mental health and addictions services. Direct services being provided through clinical interventions and indirect services include mental health promotion, prevention and public education. Our service delivery model includes both western and traditional forms of intervention.

Community Development & Mental Health Promotion

Program staff continues to be involved in delivering or coordinating mental health and addictions awareness and skill building workshops/programs. Public educational sessions on mental health and addictions issues are promoted on a regular base throughout the year, especially during Mental Health Week, Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAAW week.

This past year, M’Chigeeng Health Services in partnership with Mnaamodzawin Health Services and Wikwemikong Health Services submitted a proposal and received funding from the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative to train front-line workers to deliver the Strengthening Families Program and Mental Health First Aid. A total of three 14-session Strengthening Families programs were deliver within the First Nation communities on Manitoulin and three 12 hour Mental Health First Aid training session were also delivered.

M’Chigeeng Health Services participated in the Manitoulin Mental Health & Addictions Partners Committee in the development of a Manitoulin Crisis Intervention Program. M’Chigeeng Health Services staff received training in crisis intervention in preparation to respond during work hours with M’Chigeeng community members is crisis.

M’Chigeeng Health Services continues to participate in the Mindoo Minising Mental Health Network. This network consists of First Nation mental health and addictions workers meeting jointly to address mental health and addictions issues in First Nation communities.

M’Chigeeng Health Services continues to participate in the Northeast Mental Health Centre-Native Advisory Committee. This committee provides guidance and recommendations to the Northeast Mental Health Centre in the provision of culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal peoples.

M’Chigeeng Health Services along with other partners are in discussions with National and Regional First Nation and Inuit Health Branch to develop a First Nations Mental Wellness Team Pilot Project in our area.