Health officials from three First Nations in Port Hardy, British Columbia, say more help is on the way to address the mental health crisis.
Port Hardy is a community of just over 3,000 people on northern Vancouver Island, 388 kilometers north of Victoria. Nearly one-third of the population is indigenous.
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Community groups are holding drop-in grief and counseling sessions, and Gwasala Nakwaxudashuu and neighboring Kwakiutl and Kwatsino First Nations health authorities are working with the Island Health Authority and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). are doing. To secure additional resources.
“Our thoughts are with the families and people across our community who continue to struggle through this difficult time of loss,” the health chiefs said in a joint statement Thursday.
“We are listening to the community’s call to action to support those affected and struggling in the current crisis, and we continue to work to bring even more support to the region. I want to guarantee that.”
North Vancouver Island is home to the Kwakawa’wa’wakwu peoples, including the Gwasala Nakwawakwak, Kwakiutl, and Kwatsino First Nations. (Kathryn Marlowe/CBC)
Both Island Health and FNHA responded to specific requests for assistance, the statement said.
Island Health funds a community crisis line run by three bands in the evenings, nights and weekends. Outreach staff will be dispatched as necessary. Support the provision of mental health support to healthcare workers.
FNHA will fund a Crisis Response and Prevention Coordinator position.
The Coordinator will develop plans to improve mental health and material support and crisis response for the three countries and the entire Port Hardy region.
In the meantime, health officials said they are in daily contact with health authorities to plan additional support.
