March 2026: SCO’s Mobile Crisis Response Team is not operational. SCO will provide updates as they become available.
This webpage shares resources that can help First Nations experiencing a crisis. If you are struggling, please reach out.
If you are experiencing a life‐threatening crisis,
please contact your local emergency services (911) or RCMP detachment.
Manitoba Suicide Prevention
and Support Line: Reason to Live
Toll free Prevention and
Support Line: 1-877-435-7170
Hope For Wellness:
Toll free Hope for Wellness Help Line:
1‐855-242-3310
Online chat available at hopeforwellness.ca
SCO Mobile Crisis Response Team (on hold)
The team was created to support southern First Nation citizens and families. Last year, the team directly supported more than 1068 citizens including with crisis debriefing, counselling, therapy, assessment and care, grief and loss, and advocacy, and referred 365 others to additional supports and services.
The team’s primary focus was crisis response and intervention, and it also provides navigator and aftercare services. It delivered culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and appropriate southern mental health and wellness care and included an Anishinaabemowin speaker.
The team members had many years of experience, including members who are psychiatric nurses, therapists, trauma-informed counsellors, mental health specialists, and a life skills specialist.
They worked in a collaborative way with mental health teams and clinical wellness service providers, as well as Knowledge Keepers and Elders. The team also provided training to wellness teams. The team worked closely with SCO’s programs.
First Nation citizens have a right to high quality health and health services. Providing mental health and wellness services aligns with the broader goal of SCO’s Health Transformation initiative. For more information, visit the SCO Health Transformation webpage.
What services did the Mobile Crisis Service offer?
- Prevention
- Telephone consultation and support
- Liaison and referral to community resources
- Safe talk
- Mental health education, preventative strategies, and coping
- Grief and loss
- Suicide prevention
- Crisis response
- Critical incident stress debriefing
- Post-suicide response/aftercare
- Mental health assessment and psychosocial assessment
- Short term one-on-one counselling and follow up
- Individual client assessments, such as suicide assessment and safety plan, self-esteem and depression scale, and mental health status
- Continuum of care
- Support to family members and other concerned individuals
- Sharing circles
- Drug and alcohol addiction support, assessment, triaging, and referral
- Domestic and family violence support and triaging
- Alternative services including traditional teaching, ceremonies, and land-based healing
- Referrals to traditional and clinical support services
Tribal Councils
Dakota Ojibway Health Services
- The Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (DOTC) based in Headingley, provides an on-call crisis response for youth and adults who are in crisis due to mental health concerns, suicide, and/or addiction issues.
- Services six Nations: Birdtail Sioux, Dakota Tipi, Long Plain, Roseau River, Sandy Bay, and Swan Lake
- Connect with the DOTC Mental Wellness Team: 1-833-600-0087
Interlake Reserves Tribal Council
- The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC) is in Winnipeg.
- In a time of crisis, team members will attend to the community.
- Services six Nations: Dauphin River, Kinonjeoshtegon, Lake Manitoba, Little Saskatchewan, Peguis, and Pinaymootang
- IRTC’s website and Facebook page has information about coping skills for stress and anxiety.
- Connect with the IRTC Mental Wellness Team at: 204-956-7413
Southeast Resource Development Council
- The Development Council (SERDC) is in Winnipeg. It has a team of nine staff, including outreach workers, therapists, a cultural advisor, addiction specialists, residential school, resolution health support worker, and MMIWG2S+ support workers.
- Services eight Nations: Berens River, Black River, Bloodvein, Brokenhead, Hollow Water, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, and Poplar River
- SERDC websit and Facebook page offers updates and supports.
- Connect with the Mental Wellness Team Program at: 204-956-7500
West Region Tribal Council
The West Region Tribal Council Inc. (WRTC) is accountable to about 6000 First Nation members under the leadership of 8 First Nations with the mandate to facilitate in the transfer of local control and responsibility of programs and services to member First Nations. These First Nations are:
- Ebb and Flow First Nation
- Gambler First Nation
- Keeseekoowenin First Nation
- O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation
- Pine Creek First Nation
- Rolling River First Nation
- Skownan First Nation
- Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve
The West Region Treaty 2 & 4 Health Services Health Department Counselling Services Unit provides professional short-term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Counselling.
For West Region Tribal Council crisis services in Manitoba, you can contact West Region Treaty Health Services at (204) 622-9400 or 1-866-385-9400 for their short-term crisis intervention services.
More resources
Local emergency services and help lines
If experiencing a life‐threatening crisis, please contact your local emergency services (911) or RCMP detachment.
Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line: Reason to Live
- The Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support line is a toll-free, confidential, and a 24-hour crisis line run by trained counsellors from the Klinic Community Health Centre. It provides immediate support and service to those struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, or to those concerned about a friend’s mental wellness and/or safety, and to family member impacted by a suicide loss or suicide attempt. The counsellors understand that many people struggle with suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
- Toll free Prevention and Support Line: 1-877‐435-7170
Winnipeg Crisis Response Centre
- Mental health experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help adults experiencing:
- A mental health crisis with the risk of potential harm associated with an immediate crisis including suicidal thoughts and behaviour
- Personal distress and other signs and symptoms of a mental health condition requiring urgent mental health assessment and treatment
- Intense emotional trauma where assessment, crisis intervention, and linkage to other services are required
- An immediate risk is posed after hours when the ongoing mental health service provider is not available
- Connect with the Mental Wellness Team: 204-788-8330 or visit this website
Winnipeg Mobile Crisis Service
- Mobile Crisis Staff are available 24/7
- Offers crisis intervention, mental health assessment, telephone consultation and support, health education on mental illness, medication, coping strategies and preventative techniques, liaison and referral to community resources, support to family members and other concerned individuals, psychiatric consultation and assessment, and short-term follow-up.
- Connect with the Mobile Crisis Service: 204-940-1781