Five areas for action support a long-term vision for First Nations mental wellness, healing and community well-being
FNHA is excited to launch its new Mental Wellness, Substance Use and Healing Framework, a community-driven document that outlines First Nations priorities for improving mental wellness, substance use and healing services across BC.
The Framework serves as a guide for First Nations leaders, communities, Nations and health system partners. Grounded in the voices and experiences of First Nations people, it outlines areas for action in mental health and substance use, supporting the integration of traditional First Nations healing approaches with Western practices to enhance the well-being of First Nations people, whether living in community or away from home.
Grounded in First Nations priorities
The framework was informed by regional caucus reports, community health and wellness plans, wellness forums, surveys and other engagement activities conducted with First Nations across BC. Through that work, FNHA consistently heard that mental wellness, substance use and healing continue to be top priorities for First Nations individuals, children, youth, families and communities.
The document identifies five areas for action:
- Improving access to culturally safe mental health and wellness services
- Strengthening substance use and harm reduction supports
- Supporting healing from trauma
- Advancing wholistic and culturally grounded models of care
- Building community capacity to deliver services closer to home
Each area includes a long-term vision aligned with the Gathering Wisdom XII-endorsed 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health, recognizing that health outcomes are shaped by social, cultural, economic and environmental factors as well as access to care.
Supporting healing close to home
The framework also responds to ongoing challenges affecting First Nations communities, including the toxic drug poisoning public health emergency. First Nations people continue to experience disproportionately high rates of toxic drug poisoning deaths. To better meet the needs of First Nations communities, the Framework outlines a full continuum of culturally safe and trauma-informed services, including prevention, harm reduction, detox, treatment, recovery and aftercare supports.
Action areas are intended to supplement Nation- and community-led approaches that are already supporting mental wellness and healing across BC, including:
- Land-based healing and cultural wellness programs.
- Trauma-informed training initiatives that build local capacity and expertise.
- Community-led grief and healing supports for people impacted by the toxic drug crisis.
- Youth wellness services rooted in family, culture and community connection.
- Harm reduction programs that meet people where they are with compassion, dignity and cultural support.
The long-term vision for FNHA is one where First Nations people have equitable access to culturally safe and integrated services, regardless of where they live. By aligning these with broader efforts to address the social determinants of health, the framework can support lasting improvements in wellness for current and future generations of First Nations people in BC.
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