Pathstone Mental Health in St.Catharines has unveiled a new Indigenous Healing Room.
The room is designed for Niagara’s Indigenous clients, elders and clinicians to teach and comfort those who are receiving mental health counselling.
Located inside the Branscombe Mental Health Centre on Fourth Ave., the space was developed with the help of Mohawk Elder and Psychologist Dr. E. Connors of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.
He says the creation of the Healing Room is a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation: Commission of Canada.
He says Pathstone’s efforts are to enhance services ensuring existing and future First Nations, Metis, and Inuit clients are culturally safe.
Pathstone officials say they made the space a priority for both their clients and community partners after recognizing that Indigenous children and youth were missing a place in mental health agencies.
Pathstone CEO Shaun Baylis noted, “Having a space that is culturally relevant is crucial at this time, as statistics show alarming rates of suicide among Indigenous children and youth that is up to 15 percent higher than non-indigenous people.”