Abstract
There is a strong and urgent need to provide Canada’s Indigenous youth with culturally relevant, accessible, and empathetic mental health support. Access to in-person mental health services for Indigenous youth should be easy and fast, and there should be no disparity between non-aboriginal and aboriginal youth in accessing mental health care. The primary aim of this environmental scan was to identify the in-person mental health organizations available to Indigenous youth across Canada. In total, 50 organizations were found across the country. In an effort to provide a thorough evaluation of each organization, we explored the types of programs offered, including land-based programs, by whom the services are provided, specifically exploring the role of non-specialists, and the missions of each organization. Of the 50 organizations examined, 22 provide land-based programs to Indigenous youth (44%). Further, 34 of the organizations have services that are provided by non-specialists (68%). By conducting explorative environmental scans like this one, we hope to raise more awareness about the in-person mental health services that exist across Canada for Indigenous youth. Furthermore, by describing the services and programs offered concisely and in one place, we hope that more Indigenous youth will be encouraged to look for help when they are in crisis or in need of mental health support.
