​​The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is launching a new toolkit centered around the importance of First Nations youth having supportive conversations among friends about substance use. Called “With Open Arms," the name refers to the importance of being open to conversations with friends, and accepting people unconditionally, without judgment or stigma.

The campaign includes several tools to guide youth in having those conversations, centred around the With Open Arms: Supportive Conversations Among Friends toolkit. The document was developed in collaboration with FNHA's Youth Advisory Committee, nine First Nations youth with lived and living experience.

With Open Arms also features several videos of the Youth Advisory Committee members sharing their own perspectives on how to have supportive conversations around substance use. Other videos feature First Nations actors simulating what a supportive conversation might look like, based on principles taken from the toolkit.​​

FNHA's campaign is in direct response to input from Chiefs and community leaders who have asked for more resources to support youth in making decisions and having conversations around substance use. The campaign embraces the full spectrum of substance use, from no use (abstinence) to substance use disorder (addiction).

FNHA takes an “All Paths Lead to Wellness" harm reduction approach to substance use, recognizing that supporting people who use substances is dependent on many factors, including the social determinants of health, range of use and family journey.

To explore more about With Open Arms or download the full toolkit resource, please visit fnha.ca/withopenarms.​