Canada News Wire
News release
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today (June 13) announced immediate and targeted mental wellness support for Indigenous communities.
The Prime Minister made the announcement after meeting with youth from Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Some Indigenous communities in Canada – particularly those located in rural, remote and isolated areas – are facing distressing mental health and suicide crises.
These communities too often lack proper access to vital services and support, and the service offerings that do exist are not always culturally-appropriate or properly aligned with community needs.
New funding of approximately $69 million will support immediate measures that will provide urgently needed help and support while the Government of Canada works with Indigenous Leaders in the context of the Health Accord to develop a long-term plan to address these important health issues.
“I have spent much of the last few months meeting with and listening to members of Indigenous communities, and the loss of life to suicide and the feelings of despair being felt in their communities – especially by their youth – is tragic and completely unacceptable. We all need to work together to find effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate services and programs that address the very real challenges being confronted by these communities.
“While we will continue to engage Indigenous partners in finding long-term solutions to these pressing issues, we know that urgent action is needed – and it is needed now – to address the health and mental wellness crises being faced by Indigenous people.”
– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.