Download the Wellness and Healing Resource Guide for a summary of the key resources.
Indigenous learners and physicians who train and work in the Canadian medical system face unique challenges. This experience can be compounded by efforts made by different groups across Canada toward truth and reconciliation, which can be triggering and cause a range of feelings and emotions.
The following page contains a variety of resources available from coast to coast to coast that you can consider if you need help or would like to maintain your well-being. The resources included are applicable to Indigenous physicians and learners, as well as non-Indigenous physicians and learners who are working to support Indigenous physicians and learners in the health system. They serve as a reminder of the importance of self-care, connection and community. Everyone is different, and individuals may need different types of support at different times and for different situations. What is healing for one may not be healing for all.
Recognizing Indigenous and non-Indigenous physicians and medical learners will carry the weight of reconciliation differently, this guide is an Indigenous-specific resource to support individuals and groups as they experience the negative feelings and emotional burden that can be triggered from truth and reconciliation. It’s my hope that this resource guide can provide you with direction on where you can reach out for support. True reconciliation can only happen when both sides choose to face their past and work to repair and rebuild a shared future. Tomorrow will only get better, together.
How can we help you?
I’m in crisis and need help.
National and provincial crisis supports
If you are an Indigenous physician or learner experiencing severe emotional responses and need urgent support, you do not have to be alone. Please reach out to one of the following crisis supports:
National resources
Hope for Wellness Helpline
1-855-242-3310 or visit www.hopeforwellness.ca to chat online.
Available to all Indigenous Peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive helpline counsellors can help if you want to talk or are in distress.
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
1-866-925-4419
A 24-hour crisis support to Indian Residential School survivors and their families.
MMIWG Crisis Line
1-844-413-6649
A 24-hour support line for individuals who are impacted by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Suicide Crisis Helpline
9-8-8
A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT to 686868
Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged five to 29 years who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors or volunteer crisis responders.
Provincial resources
Alberta Health Services Indigenous Support Line (AB)
1-844-944-4744 or 811
A support line for First Nations, Métis and Inuit on or off reserve.
Lamathut Crisis Line (BC)
1-800-721-0066
Available 24-hours, the crisis line supports Indian Residential School survivors and their families.
Métis Nation of British Columbia Crisis Line (BC)
1-833-638-4722
The Métis specific crisis line is available 24/7 for immediate crisis intervention.
KUU-US Crisis Line Society (BC)
Adults: 250-723-4050
Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-8717
A British Columbia wide Indigenous toll-free crisis and support line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Manitoba Métis Federation Mental Health Support Line (MB)
1-833-390-1041 Ext. 1
Available 7 am to 11 pm (CT) daily, the Mental Health Support Line provides access to Métis counsellors and resources.
Talk 4 Healing (ON)
1-855-554-HEAL
Talk4Healing Helpline provides help, support and resources to Indigenous women and their families 24/7 through talk, text and chat.
Métis Nation of Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Program (ON)
1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7
A confidential support service, providing individual counselling services for Métis children, youth and adults, offered by Métis clinicians.
I want to connect with other Indigenous physicians and learners.
Community and connection for Indigenous physicians and learners
Local community and connections are an intrinsic part of Indigenous cultures. These community and connections may be particularly important when you are feeling strong emotions or experiencing challenging situations.
At the local level, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual support may include reaching out to a trusted individual, friend or family member. There may be Indigenous groups or healing and wellness activities you can join (e.g., drumming, land-based healing, relationship-building opportunities).
Local Indigenous Friendship Centres, located across the country, are another excellent source of community support, and offer several supports that are culturally rooted. Visit The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) to find more information about the Friendship Centre closest to you.
At the national level, groups such as Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada (IMSAC) and Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) are also fantastic sources of community support. IMSAC is a student-led organization that serves as a “safe space” and community hub for Indigenous medical students across Canada. IPAC is an organization that advocates for and supports Indigenous physicians and students alike. Visit their respective websites to learn more about how you can get involved.
Professional or personal connections through mentorship or coaching (that centre knowledge sharing through storytelling) can also provide validation, support and guidance. As respected individuals and in Indigenous communities, Elders and Knowledge Keepers may be helpful to reach out to for support. The value of storytelling has been a central component of Indigenous cultures globally, to maintain the community’s wellness and transfer knowledge to the next generations. If Indigenous mentors are not accessible locally, IPAC’s Mentorship Circle is a group that hosts various connection opportunities for Indigenous physicians and learners to come together and share “in the spirit of medical education”.
I want to access university specific supports.
University specific Indigenous wellness resources
Most faculties of medicine across Canada have created supports that may be helpful for Indigenous physicians and learners. Some universities offer these services as part of a general EDI office, but others have a designated Indigenous leader, advisor or office. What’s important is to be aware of what is available in your centre in case you or someone you care about may need help. For more information on medical school contacts, please refer to IPAC’s Coordinator Contact List by School.
For more information on the mental and emotional resources available to Indigenous medical students at universities, visit the collated resource list created by IPAC. The resources provided include mental health, Indigenous student supports and Indigenous medical education student supports for each university.
For questions or further information on medical school contacts and supports, please contact IPAC.
I want to learn about supporting Indigenous physicians and learners and their wellness.
Cultural competence
Resources for non-Indigenous physicians and learners who are working to support Indigenous physicians and learners in the health system can include cultural safety and competency training and allyship.
Cultural safety and competency training can help you understand how best to work alongside and support Indigenous physicians and learners through cultural safe practices. An example of cultural safety and competency training is the San’yas Training Program. San’yas offers core training programs for British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Indigenous-only groups.
Becoming an ally is another way to support Indigenous physicians and learners. IPAC defines how to be an ally, and the core roles and responsibilities of an ally. For more resources on allyship, visit the IPAC resource page, which features guides, reading, podcasts and courses for further learning.
I want to learn more about the CMA’s journey of truth and reconciliation.
The CMA’s journey of truth and reconciliation
The CMA has embarked on a journey of truth and reconciliation that involves many steps. Part of this commitment is to identify, share and expand resources that specifically support Indigenous physicians and learners. By working together with groups like IPAC, we can raise awareness and enhance resources and supports that are available to all Indigenous physicians and learners.
For more information on the CMA’s path of truth and reconciliation, please visit cma.ca/apology.
For a full list of additional resources related to wellness and healing for Indigenous physicians and learners, please visit the Physician Wellness Hub Resource Centre.
Are you in distress? Get help now.