Our Commitment to Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism & Cultural Safety
At BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), we are strongly committed to eliminating Indigenous-specific racism, embedding Indigenous cultural safety and humility in our programs and services, and improving Indigenous health and wellness. We serve clients, patients, and their families who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) and who are accessing services at BCMHSUS.
Supporting your care
BCMHSUS is committed to ensuring that Indigenous clients and patients can access care that is culturally safe and free of Indigenous-specific racism.
Our program aims to:
- Improve client and patient experiences through integration and connection with Indigenous-specific programming and culturally responsive services
- Evaluate how far we've come in reducing health and wellness disparities among Indigenous people. Take action to fill any existing gaps
Accessing our services
Indigenous clients, patients, and their families can request Indigenous services any time they are in our care. You or a family member can ask any member of your health care team to submit a referral.
A voluntary, confidential self-identification process is also available for clients and patients who identify as Indigenous. If you choose to self-identify, you have the right to do so in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
All information is completely confidential and protected by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Roles in our team
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Indigenous care coordinators & Indigenous patient navigators
Indigenous care coordinators and Indigenous patient navigators support Indigenous clients, patients, their families, and/or communities while accessing our services. They ensure access to high-quality care that is free of discrimination. They also promote the empowerment of Indigenous clients in determining their own health care needs.
These professionals support Indigenous clients in incorporating Indigenous wellness practices as part of their health care plan and facilitate access to Indigenous-specific programming that is culturally safe and relevant.
Indigenous care coordinators working at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Heartwood Centre for Women, and θəqiʔ ɫəwʔənəq leləm’ (the Red Fish Healing Centre) also lead the following activities:
- Group facilitation
- Cultural programming
The Indigenous care coordinator provides:
- Holistic care planning and Indigenous wellness programming
- Individual cultural and spiritual supports, including coordination and access to Sacred Spaces
- Client and family advocacy
- Help in addressing and/or reporting care that is harmful or discriminatory
- Health system navigation, including support with communicating to your health care team
The coordinator can also assist with:
- Discharge planning and resource coordination
- Connecting with First Nations Health Benefits or Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations or Inuit
- Connecting with other sources of support available to all Indigenous patients
- Group facilitation
Indigenous patient navigators work with Correctional Health Services and community transition teams, and support clients both within and outside of correctional centres.
Indigenous wellness helper
At the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Red Fish Healing Centre, and the Heartwood Centre for Women, Indigenous wellness helpers offer Indigenous wellness programming and services, such as:
- Indigenous wellness practices
- Indigenous medicines and bundles
- Healing and cleansing ceremonies such as smudging
- Group programming
- Indigenous art programming
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Learn about how the Provincial Health Services Authority is weaving support for Indigenous patients and clients throughout all of our programs.