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Mental Wellness

Toquaht Nation upholds the guiding principle of ʔuuʔałuk (taking care of one another), which extends to our mental wellness. Our mental and physical health are interconnected, and our mental wellbeing is influenced by various factors such as our beliefs, values, relationships, and nature. We are committed to supporting our citizens’ mental health by connecting them with mental health services and connecting them with traditional healing practices and medicines through Uuštukyuu, a network of Indigenous traditional practitioners.

Our community services department offers a range of wellness and cultural workshops to promote positive mental and spiritual wellbeing. We can also connect citizens with mental health services and support them in accessing NIHB mental health benefits and private residential substance treatment. To receive support directly through Toquaht Nation Government, citizens can contact our Mental Health Outreach Coordinator, Christy, at christyb@toquaht.ca.

Toquaht Nation is committed to supporting the well-being of our masčim (citizens) through the Addictions Recovery Support Policy.

SMART Recovery

Toquaht Nation Government offers a mental health support program called Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), which is a global community of mutual-support groups. The program helps participants resolve addiction problems (to drugs or alcohol, or activities like gambling or overeating) through the SMART science-based and sensible 4-Point Program®. Participants find and develop the power within themselves to lead fulfilling and balanced lives. To join a group, please contact Christy at christyb@toquaht.ca.

Mental Wellness and Substance Recovery Supports

To access direct support from the Toquaht Nation Government, citizens can contact Christy, our Mental Health Outreach Coordinator, at christyb@toquaht.ca. Christy can provide one-on-one support, help access treatment services, and create a plan for addiction recovery. Toquaht also offers limited funding for citizens on their journey to sobriety, including private residential treatment.

For addictions medicine and psychiatry specialist doctors, citizens can access Zoom or phone appointments through the First Nations Health Authority with a referral from a Health and Wellness Provider.

Providers are available Monday through Friday:

Psychiatry services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Substance Use and Addictions Medicine are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To get a referral to this service, please contact your health and wellness provider or (the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day)

More resources

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, we recommend reaching out to the following support resources:

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention via phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counselor at hopeforwellness.ca.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for those experiencing pain or distress due to their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. You can call the adult/Elder line at 250-723-4050, the youth line at 250-723-2040, or toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.

Culture and Language

To celebrate and preserve Toquaht’s cultural heritage, the Culture Group gathers in Macoah every second Monday to engage in drumming, singing, dancing, and discuss cultural teachings and protocols. We also provide equipment for citizens to do their own canning, smoking, and vacuum packing of fish to promote access to traditional foods.

There is also a weekly language group that gathers in Macoah for citizens interested in learning how to speak their language. Toquaht can support citizens who are interested in traveling to Macoah to attend culture and language activities with travel funding. Contact Pamela at pamelaf@toquaht.ca for more information.

Healthy activities

We have regular group activities at the t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥiic hišimyiły̓ak (Toquaht Gathering Place) in Macoah, which include cooking, art, cultural activities, and wellness or fitness classes. If you have ideas or questions about the recreational activities you would like to attend, contact Pamela at pamelaf@toquaht.ca.

Check out our Events page for upcoming workshops and activities.