Page 62 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Many people participated in designing the tools and sharing information
In total, 136 people--mental health service providers, service users, youth, elders and community members-- participated in designing, carrying out activities, and answering questions.
• Surveys were developed for mental health service providers, users, and youth. They were offered online and on paper and promoted at two health and wellness fairs.
• Focus groups and a sharing circle for service providers and service users were hosted by local mental health and addictions organizations, ensuring that each person had the choice to participate in the format that would be most comfortable. The sharing circle opened with a smudge and prayer and was facilitated by a community member.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with people identified as demonstrating “best-practice strengths.”
• The project logo allowed us to employ the Anishnaabe symbol- based reflection research tool to engage the community and learn about beliefs and priorities regarding health and well-being.
• Storytelling - The Shadow Project was dreamed up by our YAC members and, fostering the natural balance between youth and elders, supported youth to interview elders about their stories.
We then shared the questions with our larger CAC and there were no suggestions for changes. Each of the circles, however, had different ideas about how to approach getting answers to the questions.
Together we decided that a combination of traditional Aboriginal and mainstream approaches would be used. The Youth Action Circle took an active role in creating questions designed for youth to answer. Focusing on the Good Mind philosophy of health and wellness, they explored the ways young people commonly seek support such as through texting and face booking. They distributed surveys at events over a two month period and created photo portfolios to share youth views of mental health.
What we learned
1. We need to increase knowledge and awareness about mental health services among Aboriginal and non-aboriginal agencies, service providers and the wider community, including youth.
We also need to clarify what makes a mental health approach or service “Aboriginal” because services may be delivered by stand- alone Aboriginal organizations or through an “Aboriginal” program within a larger mainstream organization. Educating young people in schools and continued community education and awareness are needed to increase knowledge about Aboriginal culture and history in general.
The community is aware of mental health and addictions services in North Bay, and of some of the differences between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal services, but more knowledge is needed.
Participants were aware of the different mental health services
in North Bay, although when it came to identifying them, fewer than half of the 48 Aboriginal and non-aboriginal services were mentioned. Participants tended to know non-aboriginal mental health organizations better than Aboriginal stand-alone services or healers, although Aboriginal service providers were aware of more Aboriginal mental health services than their counterparts.
Overall, youth were aware of the different mental health services available, although almost 25% said they weren’t sure.
One youth participant indicated that “more awareness is needed” and one reported being familiar with different mental health services in the community “because of the health fair.”
Walking the Red Road
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