Ontario sends Nishnawbe Aski Nation $2.6M for mental health and addictions support

WARNING: This story contains details of suicide and may impact those who know someone affected by it.

The Ontario government is sending over $2.6 million to Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) for mental health and addiction support after a string of recent deaths in First Nations across northwestern Ontario. 

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford and Michael Tibollo, the associate minister of mental health and addictions, announced the funding Monday in Thunder Bay. 

He said the large number of recent deaths was a motivator to get support in place fast.

"It's a clarion call for NAN, organizations like [Keewaytinook Okimakanak] and other levels of government to continue to work together and to commit not just to the delivery of targeted mental health and addiction services, but to also create a platform for economic prosperity," said Rickford. 

Rickford listed 17 deaths on First Nations in northern Ontario over recent weeks related to suicide, substance use poisonings, homicide, house fire, motor vehicle collision, and sudden or unexpected deaths. There were also three missing persons.

A significant number of deaths were youth suicides — all six people who died by suicide were under 30 years old. Three of them were 12, he said. 

NAN represents 49 First Nations in Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 in northern Ontario, a land mass covering two-thirds of the province. Keewaytinook Okimakanak received the largest chunk of the funding — $1 million toward the NAN Hope program. 

The other $1.62 million was split between three other programs:

• In-school mental health supports.
• NAN's Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy Crisis Teams.
• Purchasing vehicles for mobile crisis response teams. 

The NAN Hope program was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to support people across its territory who may be struggling mentally and emotionally. People can call or text to get confidential mental health support services, including in traditional languages. It also provides in-person counselling and support. 

Crisis severity needs ongoing funding, say health leaders

This funding will help NAN Hope expand more in-person support, said Roxanne Perkins, director of E-health at Keewaytinook Okimakanak. 

"The in-person support is so vital," said Perkins. "Speaking personally, First Nations people like to meet someone, they want to get to know their provider, they want to feel like they build a connection with someone before they open up and talk to them." 

Program support can include anything from sending crisis workers to struggling families or providing assistance with meals, said Perkins. She said she wants to eventually see ongoing funding to support this work. 

"This funding here today is an amazing announcement and we greatly appreciate the support, but definitely having an agreement where we have continued lasting funding is when we're able to build programs and have continued support for our people in the NAN territory."

The frequency and severity of the crises on NAN territory means NAN Hope doesn't have enough money to provide as much support as it would like, said Armanda Parkinson, Keewaytinook Okimakanak health director. 

Parkinson said it's currently servicing a community where 22 youths have made a suicide pact, and two 12-year-old children have already taken their own lives. For crises of that magnitude, sometimes on-the-ground support is needed for weeks or months to prevent further deaths, which can be expensive. 

She's grateful to be able to provide families some respite, but Parkinson said reactive supports will only go so far in preventing youth suicides. 

"Providing the funds to NAN Hope isn't going to alleviate the core issues that are occurring in the communities," she said. 

"Without those proper infrastructures, clean, safe drinking water, safe spaces for youth, even just adequate resources and accommodations for those allied professionals to continue to come in….I don't see a decline in any crisis anytime soon," said Parkinson. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Nishnawbe Aski Mental Health and Addictions Support Access Program 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673), 24/7 crisis support phone line and online chat through their website or Facebook messenger. 

• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.

• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.