Health Overview

Mental Wellness work at APC is driven by the Mental Health and Addictions Plan for First Nations in the Atlantic Region. This Plan was developed by the Health Partnership and APC in 2014 and 2015 during extensive community engagements and a review of national plans, documents, and wise practices.

A Mental Health and Addictions Plan for First Nations in the Atlantic Region

The Plan was adopted by the Health Partnership in 2015 and illustrates a vision and guiding principles that are a shared priority among the regions First Nations leadership. The Plan includes high-level goals, outcomes, objectives, and action opportunities towards enhancing mental health and reducing substance use challenges among Atlantic First Nations.

The Mental Health and Addiction Plan builds upon existing strengths within Atlantic First Nations communities and has five aspirational goals:

Goal 1: To value culture as the foundation.

Goal 2: To create a high quality First Nations community-based continuum of mental health and addiction services and supports to support healing and wellness.

Goal 3: To provide culturally appropriate and high-quality care facilitation for every First Nations client.

Goal 4: To support and grow a competent First Nations community-based mental health and addiction workforce.

Goal 5: To demonstrate a First Nations-led, strengths-based change process that keeps First Nations people at the centre of all initiatives.

The Health Partnership directed their Mental Wellness Committee and APC in early 2020 to begin the evaluation process of the Mental Health and Addictions Plan. Research Power Incorporated has been contracted to lead this process under the guidance and direction of the region’s First Nations communities.

Mental Wellness Working Groups

The Health Partnership’s Mental Wellness Committee established four Mental Wellness working groups to help move the Mental Health and Addictions Plan towards full implementation. Each working group is guided by Terms of Reference and is made up of diverse representation from communities, FNIHB/ISC, Tribal Organizations, and APC.

The working groups (and their Terms of Reference) are: