Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

Mental Health Interventions

Program Name:

Elsipogtog Crisis Centre

Organization/Community:

Elsipogtog Mental Health Services

Location:

Elsipogtog, New Brunswick

Website:

www.ehwc.ca/Crisis/crisis.html

Goals and Objectives:

To prevent suicide and self harm, assist in crisis intervention and education while promoting mental and emotional health, reducing vulnerability to violence and abuse.

Target Group Description:

Everyone.

Program Description:

The program provides: suicide and crisis intervention services – including crisis help line, on-line support, outreach workers, risk assessment, and referrals to other agencies; grief and loss counselling; response to disclosures of physical, sexual and domestic abuse; counsellors work with the client as well as other agencies, Elders and families to promote healing; and make presentations in schools on preventing bullying and abuse. The program also offers access to traditional ways of healing though healing circles, talking circles, sweat lodge ceremonies and cultural craft workshops run by local Elders.

Program Successes/Impact:

The program has resulted in a measureable reduction in the number of suicides in the community. It has also successfully networked with other local organizations to make services more easily accessible to the community.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

N/A

Program in operation since:

1992.

Program:

Ongoing.