New service to support our relatives experiencing trauma and health crises – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2022
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is pleased to launch its’ new Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) program.
“This is a proud moment for the leadership at SCO, as the MCRT will be performing critical services for our relatives who are in crisis,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “At the request of the Chiefs we have been working to create this vital service for several years now, and I am delighted to see it become a reality.”
The MCRT is comprised of qualified professionals who are trained in trauma informed practice and can offer crisis response, intervention, and case coordination services to ensure a care plan is in place. They will be working within the model of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC), a national First Nation developed framework, that holistically supports mental wellness and identifies ways to enhance coordination among various systems and supports to ensure culturally safe delivery of services.
“Being able to offer trauma support in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner is key when it comes to this kind of service,” said Dakota Tipi First Nation Chief Pashe. “The discovery of the unmarked graves of the children last summer, combined with the isolation of the pandemic, have triggered deep trauma in our communities, and this support cannot come soon enough.”
The MCRT will work in collaboration with Knowledge Keepers, Elders and culturally appropriate mental health and clinical wellness service providers in order to provide the best care possible. Those services will include:
- Crisis Intervention
- Mental health assessment and psychosocial assessment
- Post-suicide response and aftercare
- Grief and Loss
- Addiction support, assessment, triaging and referral
- Consultation and assessment
- Education on mental health, coping strategies and preventative techniques
- Liaison and referral to community resources including traditional and clinical support services
- Support to family members and other concerned individuals
- Short term counselling and follow-up
- Traditional teachings, ceremonies, and land-based healing
“It cannot be overstated just how important a step this is when it comes to supporting our people in their healing,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “This will go a long way in filling a systemic gap we have had to endure for far too long, when it comes to accessing appropriate mental health and wellness services.”
The MCRT consists of a psychiatric nurse, therapists, trauma informed counsellors, mental health and wellness specialists, and cultural supports and includes Anishinaabemowin language speakers. The team is available seven days a week and on call 24 hours a day. In addition to crisis response, the team will support prevention, and continuum of care, in an environment of trust and safety.
The MCRT is available to all of SCO’s member Nations and be reached by phone at 1-877-SCO-2880 (1-877-726-2880) or by email at CrisisResponse@scoinc.mb.ca
More information on the program can also be found on https://scoinc.mb.ca/mental-wellness-mobile-crisis-response/
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 81,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For Media Inquiries:
204-806-6837
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca
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