Breaking colonial legacies and mapping new pathways to mental wellness

In their journey toward healing, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities persistently stand up to both intergenerational and recent traumas with determination. Uniquely affected by systemic barriers, Indigenous youth face the impacts on a regular basis. The call for reconciliation means everyone must play a part in improving their experiences.

Governments, industries, non-profit organizations, and health care providers have taken steps toward breaking down barriers to Indigenous Peoples’ mental wellness, but more must be done. The third volume in our series amplifies the voices of Indigenous youth leaders while highlighting the nuances of Canada’s mental health landscape and offers recommendations for achieving holistic wellness for Indigenous Peoples.

An inclusive definition of mental wellness 

For many Indigenous Peoples, mental wellness is generally viewed holistically: as a balance of the emotional, spiritual, and physical as well as the mental, all underpinned by cultural identity. Care grounded in Indigenous cultures is proving to be effective as it is more responsive to the needs of Indigenous communities. A sharper focus on cultures and Indigenous-centred approaches, therefore, could be a transformative experience for those seeking care, and lead to more sustained, positive health outcomes overall.

Identifying the social determinants of mental wellness
The youth we engaged with for this report identified several social and economic factors that affect the overall mental wellness of Indigenous Peoples and communities. Access to infrastructure and basic needs, for example, are integral to the foundations of mental well-being. However, colonialism’s lasting effects have resulted in higher poverty rates in Indigenous communities, which can lead to families having to prioritize basic sustenance over mental wellness.

Drawing on Indigenous strengths-based mental wellness approaches 
Indigenous communities have always found strength and community in their languages, cultures, and traditions. Strengths-based care grounded in their own cultures is found by many Indigenous communities and mental health leaders to be just as if not more effective than Western approaches, but it requires dedicated financial and systemic support.

Accessing mainstream care and supports
Describing the barriers they face in interacting with non-Indigenous mental health care providers, Indigenous youth equally identified the opportunities that could make the experience more positive and easier to navigate.

Navigating the mental wellness services system
Canadian systems were not established with Indigenous Peoples’ approaches and unique considerations in mind, leading to generations of distrust. Culturally inclusive approaches and more Indigenous representation were clearly identified as welcome changes for a more responsive mental wellness care system.
 

What can private, public, and non-profit sectors do?

• Working together, invest in a society that advances equity and safety for all
• Empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nations to pursue their mental wellness goals and return their autonomy to provide care for their people
• Improve the supply of mental wellness care services and reduce barriers to access
• Reconcile approaches to mental wellness care
  

What's next on our journey?

As we walk the path of reconciliation, embracing and valuing Indigenous knowledge is a vital step toward genuine understanding and healing. While Indigenous youth leaders strive to reshape community wellness, their voices call for broader acknowledgment and meaningful support from non-Indigenous leaders to help advance holistic care. Together, we can forge a future where mutual respect, unity, and well-being are embedded in every action.

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