More mental health support coming to north Vancouver Island

Health officials at three First Nations in Port Hardy, B.C., say more supports are coming as they deal with a mental health crisis.

Port Hardy is a community of just over 3,000 people on northern Vancouver Island, 388 kilometres north of Victoria. Nearly a third of the population is First Nations.

In recent weeks, the nations have been dealing with an increasing number of overdose deaths.

Community groups have been holding drop-in grief and counselling sessions, and the health departments at Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw, and neighbouring Kwakiutl and Quatsino First Nations, have been working with Island Health and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to secure additional resources.

"Our thoughts are with the families and people who continue to struggle through this difficult time of loss across our communities," wrote the health directors in a joint statement issued Thursday.

"We want to assure you that we hear the community's calls to action to support those impacted and struggling through the current crisis and are continually working to bring more supports to the region."

North Vancouver Island is home to the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, including the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw, Kwakiutl, and Quatsino First Nations. (Kathryn Marlow/CBC )

The statement says both Island Health and the FNHA have responded to specific requests for aid.

Island Health will fund a community crisis line that the three bands will run on evenings, overnight, and on weekends; provide outreach workers during those times when needed; and help provide mental health support to health-care workers.

The FNHA will fund a crisis response and prevention co-ordinator position.

The co-ordinator will make a plan for improved mental health and substance supports, and crisis response, for the three nations and the Port Hardy region overall.

In the meantime, the health directors said they are connecting daily with the health authorities to plan additional supports.