Child and Youth Mental Health Program

Participant Prerequisite:   Aboriginal children aged 6 to 12 and family members, referred by community professionals, or who are self-referred. Community professionals may include, but are not limited to: school teachers, councilors, family support workers, and MCFD social workers.

This program operates under a referred intake process. Download Referral Form.

Program Description

L, KI, L  (L,TH,KEEL) Child and Youth Mental Health Program provides support to Aboriginal children six to twelve, and their families, by helping to improve their mental health and overall well-being while maintaining a combined focus of healing that incorporates both mainstream and cultural interventions in order to address all the needs of the family.

Philosophy

While the program maintains a mental health focus, it will also maintain a holistic approach and will embrace the teachings of the medicine wheel in addressing the mental, as well as, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the children and families involved.

Needs Addressed

Mental Health needs such as:

• Behaviour (ADHD, ODD, and CD), Depression, Anxiety, and Psychosis (defined by the mainstream Child and Youth Mental Health framework).
• Behavioural needs such as: anger management skills and coping strategies.
• Emotional needs such as: emotional regulation, and emotional expression.
• Physical needs such as: support in nurturing the body with healthy eating and physical activities.
• Spiritual needs such as: encouraging a spiritual connection through the natural environment and cultural practices.

Program Services

• Family counselling.
• One-on-one counselling
• Appropriate community referrals
• Cultural activities

Goals

• More Aboriginal children will be able to continue to live within or be returned to their communities and families.
• Increased self-esteem, a sense of empowerment and confidence in the abilities of Aboriginal families and their children.