The Native Mental Health Association of Canada and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada have a rich history of working collaboratively and sharing their respective expertise in regard to “what works” and “what does not work” in mental health and addictions programs and services. Groundbreaking national initiatives comparing and contrasting similarities and differences between their indigenous and non-indigenous constituents, along with finding common ground and identifying goals for future collaboration, served as the pillars of this unique and effective partnership in Canada.

In an effort aimed at modifying the status quo and ensuring that the Canadian mental health and addictions systems respond appropriately to the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis and other mental health and addictions consumers and their caregivers, the Native Mental Health Association of Canada (NMHAC) and the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) launched Building Bridges II: A Pathway to Cultural Safety project in April 2009. In keeping with their initial Building Bridges Project (2008/2009), both the NMHAC and the MDSC engaged in dialogue with their respective First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and provincial Mood Disorders Associations and other provincial and local consumer networks regarding the notion of cultural safety, relational practice, social inclusion and attendant practices that support mental health and well-being.

The two national NGOs have collectively developed this comprehensive planning framework on cultural safety that will enhance the ability of healthcare providers and others to deal more effectively with major structural and relational issues and barriers facing indigenous and non-indigenous communities. We are pleased to acknowledge contributions from members of these two non-profit associations and the First Nations & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada.

Building Bridges is the creation of the NMHAC) and the MDSC. As part of their Building Bridges 2 initiative, they collaborated with the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Advisory Committee (FNIM AC) to the Mental Health Commission of Canada in a joint research project designed to understand best and promising practices that constitute cultural safety and relational practice in the Canadian context. In 2009/2010, they commissioned forty-seven (47) focus groups in Western and Eastern Canada, hosted a national symposium in Ottawa, and commissioned two research papers, one on social inclusion, and the other on cultural safety. In addition, the partners developed a powerful and compelling DVD that has already been tested in Canada and internationally to stimulate discussion on strategic issues related to cultural safety and relational practice in Canada.

The focus groups and symposium were designed to capture the voices of those with the most direct experience and knowledge of mental health and addictions services: service providers, service recipients, and family members/caregivers. Participants were aboriginal and non-aboriginal, from government, non-government, and indigenous organizations, as well as community members. In addition, the partners developed a communications tool in the form of a powerful and compelling professionally produced video which has already been used extensively in Canada and internationally to stimulate discussion on strategic issues related to cultural safety and relational practice in Canada.

As part of this landmark partnership for improving mental health in Canada, the NMHAC and MDSC commissioned two research papers:

Schedule “A”: Supporting the Mental Wellness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada: Cultural Safety

Schedule “B”: Belonging: Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, Personal Safety and the Experience of Mental Illness