First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework

Background

First Nations are moving toward taking control of the direction of their own health models and service delivery.
The need for a holistic approach to support this transition continues to be felt.
At the forefront of this transition, the Continuum Framework supports communities by integrating the interconnectivity of the First Nations worldview.
Partnerships, collaboration, and an approach based on the social determinants of health continue to play a key role in supporting communities in the implementation of the Continuum Framework.

From:	To:
Deficit-centered programs	Strength-based discovery
Evidence that excludes First Nations worldview, values, and culture	Culture considered as the foundation of evidence: Worldview, values, and culture are the foundation for determining the relevance and acceptability of various sources of evidence within a community context.
Focus on inputs from individuals	Focus on outcomes for individuals, families, and communities; collaborative holistic approaches
Policies, funding, programs, and services lacking coordination	Comprehensive planning models and federal-provincial-territorial and sub-regional integration, with First Nations, for policy, funding, and service delivery
Communities limited by restrictions due to program silos	Communities that adapt, optimize, and restructure their mental wellness programs and services based on their own priorities
Programs centered on health and illness	Approaches that strengthen multi-sectoral links by connecting health programs and social services to provincial-territorial-federal systems to support integrated case management while considering the social determinants of health of First Nations

Community Health and Wellness Planning

Culture for Life website
http://www.cultureforlife.ca/index_en.html
Community examples of Wise Practices for Life Promotion
https://wisepractices.ca/
National Indigenous Community Development Strategy
http://www.bcfndgi.com/
Promoting Life Together Collaborative
https://www.fcass-cfhi.ca/WhatWeDo/promoting-life-together-collaborative
Cross-cutting connections between federal departments

* See other examples in the documentation provided

Develop an evaluation approach based on the Framework in collaboration with the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health in Toronto
Continue to advance implementation opportunities
Increase the capacity of communities and regions
Support systemic changes
Opioid research – Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse
Child and family services reform
Define safe pathways to address sexual abuse