FNMWC Framework
The First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC) is a foundational framework that deals with mental wellness among First Nations people in Canada and outlines a wellness approach that is grounded in culture. It is based on the idea that we all have a responsibility to support wellness. It provides a continuum of care, attending to wellness through all stages of life.
The FNMWC discusses a range of services that are needed to help promote mental wellness (i.e., education, housing, land and resources, language, heritage, culture, economic development, etc.). It also gives advice on policy and program changes that enhance services and result in improved mental wellness. Communities can use this information to deliver services in culturally safe ways and do what’s needed to develop their programs and services further based on their own priorities.
The FNMWC states that a culturally relevant health system for First Nations communities includes governance, research, workforce development, change and risk management, self-determination, and performance measurement. The continuum is rooted in cultural knowledge and emphasizes First Nations strengths and capacities, building upon the Honouring Our Strengths national framework.
“Mental wellness is supported by culture, language, Elders, families, and Creation and is necessary for healthy individual, community, and family life.”
– First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum (FNMWC)
If you’d like to read more about the FNMWC and the Summary Report, here are links to both documents:
Training
First People’s Wellness Circle aims to offer Mental Wellness and Crisis Response Teams access to relevant curriculum that is based on Indigenous Knowledge and Ways of Knowing while using a Two-Eyed Seeing Approach.
Training offered is based on the First Nation Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, and topics are determined by needs identified through:
- The Mental Wellness Teams Comprehensive Needs Assessment
- Individual team requests
- Completed workforce surveys
- Working group discussions
- Regional Advisory Committee meetings
We offer a variety of training throughout the year. Some of the training includes 1-3 hr virtual events with subject matter experts, 2-3 day training sessions which include certificates of participation or certification and some week-long train-the-trainers with partner organizations.
Contact
If you have identified a training need for your team, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss how we could help.
