Non-status residential school survivors no longer qualify for free counselling: health authority

Care providers are worried about the future of mental health care for residential school survivors who don't have Indian status following a change in eligibility for counselling services funded by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

Effective immediately, only Indigenous people who have registered First Nation status will be eligible to register for counselling services, according to the FNHA.

Olivia Palomino, co-founder of Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling, said that while a change was expected, she is concerned that non-status Indigenous people will be left behind. 

"By stating that they will only work with status individuals they are perpetuating the stereotype that there are deserving and undeserving Indigenous people," she said. 

"The truth is some individuals accessing services are disconnected from their families and do not have status for a huge range of reasons directly related to racist government policies, intergenerational disconnect and lack of resources to support them."

A person can register for status depending on their degree of Indigenous descent and whether their parents or grandparents are registered or entitled to be registered. People who qualify can register online, by mail or in person at an Indigenous Services Canada office, and applications should include a proof of birth document with parental information, valid identification, and photos for the card, should there be a request for a physical card. 

According to Indigenous Services Canada, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to be registered — and another eight to 12 weeks to receive a status card. 

Self-identification became 'unsustainable': CEO

FNHA CEO Richard Jock, who is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, said a large number of people have been accessing services and that the previous process of self-declaring as a residential school survivor or a family member of a survivor became "unsustainable."

"We've seen our counselling services under residential schools, I would say, grow dramatically over the last two years," Jock said.

For those who can't access FNHA funded services, Jock said there are other avenues available, including healing lodges, friendship centres and other culturally appropriate supports. 

"First Nations people will receive no reduction in service or lack of access," Jock said.

The FNHA says coverage is available for any current counselling clients until April 30. Anyone who wasn't previously accessing those services cannot register to receive counselling before the end of the month.  

Métis membership does not count as status, the authority said. 

'Disbelief and despair'

Palomino worries that counselling clients have been given short notice to find alternative means of care. 

"We have received calls of disbelief and despair around how they have been left abandoned after opening up about trauma, some for the first time," she told CBC in an email. 

"Effectively they are forcing us to end services in the middle of a mental health crisis with nowhere to send people who have extreme need."

Palomino estimates her clinic serves about 20 active clients and had more than 40 on a wait list to access this type of support.

Jock said overall, this change will impact about 1,500 people. 

Palomino said non-status clients feel like they have nowhere to go.

"They reached out, waiting on lists to get to a counsellor, did the work to begin healing and working on deep wounds only to be told they do not matter and are not going to be supported."

On Monday Premier David Eby said he would advocate for the federal government to continue offering support for survivors.

"There is a really serious issue of mental health and addiction right across this province and we see it particularly acutely in Indigenous communities both on and off reserve and at varying age groups," Eby said. 

"We know they need to deal with that trauma."

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.