Press Release
Ontario is increasing access to mental health and addictions services for First Nations’ communities in Northwestern Ontario with a new mental health and addictions wellness centre in Fort Frances.
In partnership with the federal government, the province is investing in a new program called Mino Ayaa Ta Win (Helping Ourselves Heal).
It will be run by Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services and serve people in 10 surrounding First Nations’ communities.
The program will reduce the need for people in Fort Frances and Rainy River District to travel in order to receive culturally-appropriate treatment and medically-supervised detox services.
The program will be delivered at a newly-renovated facility in Fort Frances that will provide:
•holistic adult mental health counselling, substance use disorder services and treatment, and cultural and community support services;
•on-site mental health and addictions counsellors who will monitor, supervise, and counsel up to 195 people per year; and
•10 treatment beds serving up to 16 people per month.
As part of “The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” Ontario is investing in Indigenous Mental Health and Addictions Treatment and Healing Centres, by working with indigenous partners to support culturally-appropriate health care and wellness in indigenous communities.
“Our government is committed to working with indigenous partners to support culturally-appropriate health-care services that better meet the needs of their communities,” Health and Long-Term Care minister Dr. Eric Hoskins said in a press release.
“We are pleased that, together with Health Canada and Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services, we can improve access to substance use disorder services closer to home for First Nations’ communities in the region,” he noted.
“I’m so pleased to be working in partnership with Mino Ayaa Ta Win Centre to ensure that mental wellness services are provided based on indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and clinical expertise,” echoed Community and Social Services minister Helena Jaczek.
“This partnership is a further step in our government’s commitment to support the wellness of individuals, families, and communities in the region,” she said.
