INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL HISTORY & DIALOGUE CENTRE
INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
HISTORY & DIALOGUE CENTRE
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Healing and wellness resources

Engaging with Indian Residential School histories and legacies may be triggering, especially to Survivors, intergenerational Survivors, family members, Indigenous folks, or anyone who has experienced trauma. Engaging with these stories may lead to challenges within the mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical aspects of one’s being.

These challenges may surface immediately, or hours, days, or weeks after engaging with these stories.

If you find yourself experiencing any of these challenges, know that each of your reactions are valid and you are not alone.

Common Experiences You May Have

  • Emotionally, you may feel sadness, anger, frustration, loneliness, mistrust of others, guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, and/or overwhelmed.
  • Spiritually, you may sense disconnection from your beliefs, withdrawal from spiritual experiences, uncertainty of your values, skepticism of other human beings, a minimized sense of self.
  • Physically you may experience trouble sleeping, appetite changes, stomachache, nausea, headaches, crying, panic attacks, general body aches.
  • Mentally, you may encounter flashbacks, agitation, difficulty concentrating, isolation, nightmares, mood swings, shock.
For Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors and Family Members

Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) services include grief and loss counselling, crisis counselling, trauma counselling, Family and Group counselling and other supports including Traditional Healing Methods & Medicines. For more information, please visit their website or call the IRSSS Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 (open 24/7).

Indian Residential Schools Mental Health Support Program (Government of Canada) provides mental and emotional health support services to eligible Indian Residential School Survivors and their families throughout all phases of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. For more information, call the toll-free phone line at 1-877-477-0775.

For Indigenous Peoples and Community Members

FNHA First Nations Health Benefits Mental Health Providers List contains a list of providers that you can call to receive information about mental health benefits and care. Call the toll-free number at 1-877-477-0775 from Monday to Friday (8 am – 4 pm) or download the service provider list.

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English, French, and Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut upon request. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (open 24/7) or use the chat box on their website.

Crisis Centre BC is available to anyone who may be feeling hopeless or thinking about suicide. If you are in B.C., call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) (open 24/7). You may also call the Mental Health Support Line at  310-6789 (no area code), the Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line at 604-872-3311, or chat online with a crisis responder any time.

Aboriginal Wellness Program is run by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and offers adult counselling and support groups located at 2750 East Hastings Street, Suite 288, Vancouver. You may also contact them by phone at 604-675-2551 or visit their website.

For Students

We Matter provides support to Indigenous youth who are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide. Visit their website for direct support.

Empower Me provides free 24/7 counselling to UBC students on the AMS/GSS Health Plan. Students may access help online, in person, or by phone by calling 1-844-741-6389.

Developing Personal and Academic Resilience is a health strategy and self-care workbook for post-secondary students. You can find resources about on-campus mental health by visiting their website.

Counselling for Indigenous UBC students (Vancouver Campus) is available at the First Nations Longhouse and at the UBC Counselling Services Centre in Brock Hall. Contact the Aboriginal Student and Community Development Officer at the First Nations House of Learning at 604-822-8941 or by email at fnhl.community@ubc.ca.

Counselling for all students is available in-person at 1040 Brock Hall, 1874 East Mall, Vancouver or by phone at 604-822-3811.

AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) is open daily from 8 am-10 pm and provides services to Survivors of sexualized violence as well as their friends and family. SASC serves people of all genders, students, staff, faculty and all others connected to the UBC Vancouver Campus community. Support can be accessed by drop-in or by scheduling an appointment. Call SASC at 604-827-5180 or email sasc@ams.ubc.ca.

Health and Wellness support for UBC students (Kelowna Campus) is located at UNC337 – 3272 University Way, Kelowna. You may contact them by phone at call 250-807-9270.

For UBC Faculty and Staff

The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a confidential and voluntary counselling support service that provides supports to staff and their families with supports related to challenges with their health, personal or professional lives. Immediate support resources are available in-person and by phone, video, web or mobile app. Visit their website for more information.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver offers general counselling to anyone who feels they are in need of some extra support. Please phone 604-874-2938 to speak to an intake worker who will be able to connect you with the best services for your needs.

BC Bereavement Hotline offers free and confidential telephone support for individuals experiencing loss and grief. Visit their website or call 1-877-779-2223.

Crisis Centre BC is available to anyone who may be feeling hopeless or thinking about suicide. If you are in B.C., call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) (open 24/7). You may also call the Mental Health Support Line at  310-6789 (no area code), the Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line at 604-872-3311, or chat online with a crisis responder any time.

211 Resources Across Canada

Self-Care and Wellness Promotion Strategies 

The health and well-being of all those who engage with the Centre is our priority. If engaging with the records of residential schools triggers a negative emotional, spiritual, physical, or mental response, it may be best to stop or take a break. You know your mind, body and soul best.

To positively cope with these reactions and promote your own wellness, you may choose to:

          • Spend time out on the land or in nature
          • Call a trusted Elder or loved one
          • Speak with a cultural counsellor or clinical counsellor
          • Engage in a cultural ceremony such as smudging or saging
          • Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths
          • Connect with your senses and try to identify the colours, sounds, or smells around you
          • Brew herbal or traditional tea
          • Cook a traditional dish
          • Go for a walk or engage in light exercise
          • Make a list of things that make you feel strong and safe. Refer and add to the list whenever you need to.

Browse the records and collections

In-person visitors may engage with records through interactive technology at the Centre. The records can also be accessed at any time online. 

Research support is available for Survivors and their families looking for personal records.