Vancouver Coastal Health delivers quality health services to the people and communities we serve. Read more...
The Aboriginal Wellness Program’s mission is to provide culturally safe mental wellness and addiction programs that promote health, wellness and healing.
While there is much diversity across Aboriginal communities, there is also an overarching similarity in the community’s historic and current life experiences. Historic government policy resulted in significant changes to the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional lives of Aboriginal people. We see these historic issues continuing to effect Aboriginal peoples health today. It is not surprising that Aboriginal people experience significant mental health and addiction concerns.
The Aboriginal Wellness Program is a direct service of Aboriginal Health Services and is designed to increase access and continuity of care in a way that meets the worldview and needs of Vancouver’s Aboriginal population.
AWP has demonstrated an effective and innovative approach to integrating a mix of services that meet the needs of the Aboriginal population - through identifying particular high prevalence issues and providing an individualized set of supports to each client. AWP addresses mental health, addiction, and victimization in one complete package. Both western and Aboriginal clinical and support approaches are used in ways that are tailored to each person’s cultural and spiritual beliefs. AWP’s approach with clients is holistic, client centered and based on building on the client’s current strengths. Each client will see a different combination of staff members suited to their particular needs.
AWP incorporates values that are common across many Aboriginal cultures as core concepts in all of its programming. Our focus is on helping clients find ways to live these values on a daily basis in ways that work for them and help improve their overall health and wellness.
AWP is staffed by two clinical supervisors, one specializing in addictions, one in mental health. There are 2-3 therapists, two support workers and two Aboriginal women’s victims assistance workers. All of these staff are supported by the cultural support worker and receptionist.
Traditional healers and elders are brought in for specific purposes and clients may be referred to them in the same way that they might be referred to the consulting psychiatrist or be supported by the Vancouver Police Department Native Liaison Officer that work with our office.
Program Evaluation
Our 2006 evaluation shows that the Aboriginal Wellness Program is helping clients achieve their wellness goals and improve their ability to function in a positive healthy way. The clients trust our staff and are gaining a sense of empowerme nt that allows them to successfully connect with other needed services. The Aboriginal Wellness Program increases access to culturally specific professional services that help clients help themselves.
Implementing AWP services has highlighted some structural challenges that need to be addressed. These include the need for handicapped accessible space, given the high level of disability in the Aboriginal community.
Stabilizing and benchmarking staffing levels, client caseloads and the level of psychiatric support required - based on the complex care needs of this clien t group - will ensure that the current high level of quality care is maintained. Client’s preference for service either in or out of the DTES - has been strong and they have expressed appreciation for AWP services being in both locations.
Available Services