As First Nations people, we see wellness as wholistic – caring for our mind, body, emotions and spirit. It also means we take a whole-of-community approach in providing wellness to each and every person. When our youth are supported in wellness, our families and communities become stronger.
The FNHA provides culturally safe and trauma-informed mental health and wellness supports to First Nations youth in BC. These include:
Taking care of our wellness means finding balance in all parts of life. When we feel safe, supported, and connected to who we are, we build a strong foundation for wholistic health.
If you or someone you know are going through a difficult time, here are a few First nations resources and caring people available to provide support.
Youth Forum
The Youth Wellness Forum is an annual event that invites Indigenous youth leaders from across the province to support FNHA's mental wellness and life promotion initiatives. The event is open to First Nations youth aged 16–30 who are involved in or interested in youth advocacy and wellness, Through interactive workshops, networking sessions, and culturally grounded activities, youth gather to share powerful insights to guide future planning and priorities.
The 2025 Youth Forum will take place from October 7-8, 2025. This year's theme is Voices of the Land: Youth Leading with Care. The forum will focus on wellness, culture and connection, offering youth the opportunity to share ideas and innovative practices, network with their peers, and engage in conversations about traditional wellness, wholistic healing and mental health.
If you have any questions about the event please contact Youth.Wellness@fnha.ca.
Resources
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Crisis Support Available 24 Hours a Day
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Mental Health and Wellness
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Life Promotion
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Toxic Drug and Harm Reduction
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Respecting Tobacco
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2S/LGBTQQIA+ Wellness
- Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca.
- Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.
- IRSS Lamathut 24/7 Crisis Line operates a 24-hour crisis line to provide urgent emotional support for Survivors, families, and Indigenous communities, call 1-800-721-0066
- Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society If you are in urgent need of immediate support, call 1-888-403-3123
- Kids Help Phone offers mental health and counselling crisis intervention though phone, text or online chat. Call toll-free 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868 for confidential and anonymous support. Learn more at Urgent Help - Kids Help Phone.
- Foundry offers a crisis line available 24/7 to support with mental health and or crisis intervention over the phone, call 1-800-784-2433.
- Call or text 9-8-8 to have access to 24/7 bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support.