Skip to Main Content
Guides

Indigenous Health & Well-Being

This guide is to assist you in researching topics related to Indigenous health. Here you will find links to books, ebooks, journals, databases, websites, and more.

Mental Health & Substance Use - Introduction

Mental Health and Substance Use

Mental health issues and addictions are often identified as key health concerns for First Nations people living on reserve or Northern communities. A strengths-based focus should be kept in mind while addressing the impacts of colonial history on First Nations people. The Indian Residential School (IRS) system traumatized generations of students, who were split from their families in an attempt to eradicate their language and culture. Disproportionately high numbers of children were also removed from their families in the Sixties Scoop, practices that continue to this day in what some call the “Millennial Scoop”. The consequent trauma often manifests itself in higher rates of suicide, mental health, and addictions issues in First Nations population and significant disparities in health between First Nations and the general population.


Assembly of First Nations

Websites and Documents

Library Resources

Make a recommendation

Do you have a title to recommend for our collection? Use the Suggest a Purchase form to suggest a book, video or journal.

Are you an RRC Polytech staff or student with suggestions or feedback that can help improve this guide? Please contact this guide's author on the "Getting Started" page.