BACKGROUNDER:
Addressing the mental health needs of the Métis Nation of Ontario

On July 11, 2007 the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), Providence Care and Queen’s University signed a groundbreaking agreement that will dramatically expand the MNO’s access to mental health resources, training and research.

The relationship began 18 months ago, with consultations between the MNO and Providence Care about the educational needs of Métis mental health care workers, and evolved into an agreement to provide an integrated package of mental health services.

Under the agreement, Providence Care will become the mental health training resource, providing training and certification for all MNO health care providers, including annual certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and Non Violent Crisis Intervention training. Additional access to clinical training and mental health expertise will be provided via videoconference and on-line education. To increase educational capacity, the MNO and Providence Care will use an internet portal to provide Métis caregivers access to educational materials and clinical education 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, psychiatric services will be available to MNO citizens. Providence Care psychiatrists will provide videoconference consultations one afternoon per month, with the opportunity to expand the service as needs are identified.

The decision to partner with Providence Care and Queen’s University was based on their willingness to embrace Métis culture and their understanding of the need to take the time to learn more and to understand the Métis culture. Providence Care and the MNO have agreed to work together to ensure all training, services and materials are culturally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of the citizens of the MNO.

Researchers at the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research at Queen’s University’s in Kingston will work with Providence Care and the MNO to apply for grants to conduct a survey of mental health conditions among the Métis people. Data from the survey will be used to help plan, access and provide the appropriate resources to meet the identified needs.

The Métis Nation of Ontario brings Métis people together to celebrate and share their rich culture and heritage and to forward the aspirations of the Métis people in Ontario as a collective. Formed in 1994 after a founding delegates meeting that included Métis people from across the Province of Ontario, the MNO focuses on nation building. The MNO provides the opportunity for Métis communities across Ontario to flourish and to bring change to their socio-economic circumstances, including improving their job and income status, finding funds for education, improving access to health care and creating self-sustainability

Providence Care is southeastern Ontario’s leader for specialized mental health, rehabilitation, geriatric medicine, complex continuing and long-term care. Providence Care’s Mental Health Services is an accredited 198-bed facility providing a continuum of inpatient, outpatient and community treatment. Affiliated with Queen’s University, Mental Health Services is also an important teaching and research facility, where professional staff train students and conduct clinical research to contribute to the understanding of mental illness and the development of new approaches to treatment.

Established in Kingston in 1841, Queen’s is one of Canada's leading universities, with an international reputation for scholarship, research, social purpose, spirit and diversity. With 17 faculties and schools, Queen's is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities.

CONTACT:

Katelin Peltier
Acting Manager of Communications
Métis Nation of Ontario
Ottawa, ON
Cell: 613-859-7130

Barbara Theman
Director of Communications
Providence Care
Kingston, ON
T: 613.548.5567, ext. 5483
F: 613-548-5588

Nancy Dorrance
Queen’s University
Senior Communications Officer
Communications and Public Affairs
Queen's University
T: 613-533-2869