Indigenous Youth Mental Health: Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Ontario

By Regan Roberts – Student Intern

There are moments in life when personal experience intersects so profoundly with broader systemic realities that it becomes impossible to remain silent. As a mother, advocate, and student, I carry stories that are both intimately personal and heartbreakingly common among Indigenous families. What follows is not just a reflection—it is a call to action.

As I write this, it comes from a place of profound personal truth. Watching my two oldest children grow to be Indigenous young adults has brought the harsh realities of colonialism and systemic racism into sharp focus, showing just how deeply these forces continue to shape the lives of Indigenous families and their communities. Alongside these injustices, we have faced the painful challenges of mental health struggles and substance use—issues that are often rooted in intergenerational trauma and compounded by a system that continues to fail.

Their grandfather was a survivor of both the Sixties Scoop and the residential school system, where he endured profound abuse and suffering. The trauma he carried did not end with him—it was passed down through generations, surfacing in patterns of violence, addiction, and emotional pain. My children’s father grappled with this and lived through the devastating impacts of neglect and family turmoil, which are all deeply tied to a legacy of trauma that began long before him.

These experiences are not isolated; they are part of a broader story shared by many Indigenous families. They speak to the urgent need for healing that honours Indigenous histories and culture, supports our families, and centers our voices in creating meaningful change.

Introduction: A Mental Health Crisis with Deep Roots

Indigenous youth in Ontario are facing a mental health crisis with profound and lasting impacts. Many of them experience high rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, often in remote or under-resourced communities where mental health care is limited or non-existent.

According to the First Nations Information Governance Centre (2018), approximately 1 in 4 First Nations youth report psychological distress linked to moderate to severe mental health disorders. In the northern Ontario communities overseen by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, there have been 562 suicides since 1986, with 218 involving youth between the ages of 15 and 20 (Troian, 2018). This crisis is deeply rooted in the ongoing impacts of colonization, including the intergenerational trauma of residential schools and systemic inequities that persist today (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). Suicide rates among First Nations youth remain five to seven times higher than among non-Indigenous youth in Canada (Kirmayer et al., 2007; Government of Canada, 2019).

Substance misuse—often involving alcohol, opioids, or inhalants—frequently arises in response to chronic stress, grief, abuse, and a lack of mental health support (Dell & Lyons, 2007). Despite these challenges, Indigenous youth show extraordinary resilience, particularly when supported by culturally grounded programs that reconnect them with identity, culture, and land (Mushquash et al., 2024; Gone, 2013).

The Roots of the Crisis: Intergenerational and Ongoing Trauma

Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop

The legacy of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop has left deep and lasting scars on Indigenous communities across Canada. More than 100,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential institutions designed to assimilate them into Euro-Canadian society (Kirmayer et al., 2007). These schools systematically stripped children of their language, culture, and spiritual identity while subjecting many to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The trauma inflicted by these institutions has not only affected survivors but has also been passed down through generations, disrupting family structures and cultural continuity.

The Sixties Scoop extended this suffering into more recent history by removing thousands of Indigenous children from their homes and placing them into non-Indigenous foster or adoptive families, often without the consent of their parents or communities. This practice was rooted in the same colonial belief that Indigenous families were unfit to care for their children and that assimilation was the solution. Today, this harmful legacy persists through what has been termed the “Millennium Scoop,” as Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system (Schmid & Morgenshtern, 2022). These removals not only separate children from their families but also from their cultures, languages, and communities, further compounding cycles of disconnection and trauma.

The result of these policies is profound intergenerational trauma that continues to impact the mental health and well-being of survivors and their descendants. Many individuals affected by residential schools and the Sixties Scoop experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide, as well as feelings of identity loss and dislocation (Barker et al., 2019). Addressing this requires more than individual interventions—it calls for systemic change, culturally grounded healing programs, and an acknowledgment of the truth behind these injustices. Supporting survivors and their families in reclaiming their identities, languages, and traditions is essential for both personal and collective healing and for moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.

Child Welfare System Overrepresentation

The overrepresentation of Indigenous children in Canada’s child welfare system is a direct consequence of colonial policies and systemic discrimination that continue to harm Indigenous families. In 2016, more than half of all children in foster care were Indigenous, even though they made up only 8% of the child population under 15 (Indigenous Services Canada, 2022). This staggering disparity is not simply a matter of individual circumstance—it reflects the deep-rooted effects of historical policies such as residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, which disrupted family structures, severed cultural ties, and perpetuated cycles of trauma across generations. These policies have created mistrust in public systems and left many Indigenous families without the culturally appropriate supports needed to thrive.

Systemic racism in child welfare, education, and the justice systems continues to drive these disproportionate outcomes. Many Indigenous children are removed from their homes not because of abuse, but due to poverty, inadequate housing, and limited access to culturally relevant supports—factors directly tied to broader social inequities. Rather than addressing these root causes, current systems often respond with punitive measures that further separate children from their communities and cultures. Meaningful reform must prioritize family reunification, community-led child welfare services, and culturally grounded approaches that support Indigenous families in healing and staying together. Reducing these disparities is not only a matter of justice—it is a necessary step toward reconciliation and the restoration of Indigenous sovereignty over child and family well-being.

Systemic Racism, Neglect, and Barriers to Care

Ongoing Discrimination and Marginalization

Indigenous youth often face racism and marginalization in schools, health care, and social services. These experiences erode self-worth, limit opportunities, and contribute to cycles of poverty, violence, and mental illness.

The Alberta Mental Health Board (2011) identifies several systemic barriers to Indigenous mental health care, including:

• A lack of culturally competent practitioners
• Limited or inaccessible services in remote communities
• Jurisdictional confusion between federal and provincial governments
• Stigma surrounding mental illness in small, close-knit communities

Professionals often lack training in culturally responsive care, leading to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and further alienation of Indigenous youth (Rourke et al., 2025).

Substance Use and Suicide: Coping and Crisis

High suicide rates among Indigenous youth are linked to cultural discontinuity and systemic oppression (Kirmayer et al., 2007). Substance misuse often functions as a coping mechanism—a means to manage unrelenting stress, trauma, and lack of purpose. The effects of poverty, inadequate housing, unsafe drinking water, and limited access to education and employment opportunities compound these issues.

Culturally Grounded Healing is Making a Difference

Culturally grounded healing is making a profound difference in the lives of Indigenous youth by offering approaches that align with their worldviews and lived experiences. Unlike many Western psychological models, which often separate mental health from physical, spiritual, and communal well-being, Indigenous models of healing emphasize interconnectedness. These approaches recognize that healing must involve the whole person and extend to relationships with family, community, land, and spirit. This holistic perspective resonates deeply with Indigenous cultures and traditions, making healing more meaningful and effective for youth navigating complex personal and historical traumas.

Research supports the value of culturally integrated healing methods. A study by Marsh et al. (2015) revealed that Indigenous youth who engaged in cultural activities, such as ceremonies and teachings from Elders, reported significantly lower rates of substance use. These findings highlight the protective role of cultural connection in supporting youth mental health. Land-based programs, traditional teachings, and community-centred activities not only address trauma but also foster a strong sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. These cultural anchors are crucial for youth who may have been disconnected from their heritage due to colonization, residential schools, or systemic racism.

Programs that incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems—such as sharing circles, smudging, drumming, and storytelling—empower youth to reclaim their voices and navigate healing in culturally safe spaces. The guidance of Elders and Knowledge Keepers provides not just wisdom but also continuity of identity, linking youth to generations of resilience. By recognizing and valuing Indigenous ways of knowing, customarily grounded healing affirms that culture is not only a source of strength but also an essential foundation for recovery and wellness. These approaches offer a transformative path forward that centers Indigenous youth as leaders and knowledge holders in their healing journeys.

“The traditions give the guidance and support that is necessary for ongoing healing and change. They convey a core understanding of a spiritual life. Without Spirit and personal commitment, it is unlikely that any teaching or any strategy, from whichever direction, will help people attain and maintain balance. The Sacred Circle of the Medicine Wheel and the Sacred Teachings encapsulate all the spiritual wisdom required to guide the healing journey, sustain healing relationships, and promote positive change” (Nabigon et al., 2014).

There are seven directions associated with the Medicine Wheel – the four cardinal directions (north, south, east and west) as well as the sky, the earth and the centre. For Ojibwe people, the colours are yellow (east), red (south), black (west), white (north), the father sky (blue), the mother earth (green), and the self (Centre, purple). The medicine wheel reminds us that everything comes in fours – the four seasons, the four stages of life, the four races of humanity, the four cardinal directions, and so on (Manitowabi, 2018, para. 3).

The following teachings on the Medicine Wheel by James Dumont (1993) depict Ojibwe Anishinaabe values. The four symbolic races of humanity are depicted on this circle:

Source: James Dumont (1993); “Justice and Aboriginal People”

Source: Indigenous Corporate Training Inc

Promising Initiatives Include:

• The We Matter Campaign – A national platform where Indigenous youth share messages of hope, support, and strength through art, video, and storytelling.
• Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Programs – Community-led services that integrate cultural teachings with health and wellness strategies.
• JoyPop Mobile App – A youth mental health app that uses culturally appropriate strategies to build emotional regulation and resilience (Mushquash et al., 2024). Introducing a groundbreaking new mobile app aimed at enhancing access to mental health support for young people. Developed in collaboration with youth, clinicians, and researchers at McMaster University, the app provides science-backed recommendations and activities. These features include a journal, a drawing pad, breathing exercises, sleep tips, and more, all designed to help improve emotional regulation and overall well-being based on the user’s mood ratings.

Indigenous-centred Resources

Talk4Healing – Offers culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous women by Indigenous women, via telephone, text, or chat. Offers services in 14 languages, including English * Algonquin * Cree * Inuktitut * Mi’kmaq * Mohawk * and Ojibwe. Beendigen’s Talk4Healing Helpline offers help, support, and resources 24/7 through talk, text, and chat. Crisis Line: 1-888-200-9997 | Thunder Bay: 807-346-HELP (4357) – Talk4Healing – Beendigen

Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline – In Inuktitut, Kamatsiaqtut means thoughtful people who care. Our trained volunteers are on the phone 24 hours a day. Volunteers come from many walks of life and are always available with an open mind and listening ear for those who need someone to talk to about issues that matter to you. All of their volunteers speak English, and many speak Inuktitut and French. Available 24 hours a day, 867-979-3333 or toll-free at 1-800-265-3333 – Helpline – Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline

The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) represents the collective interests of 31 Friendship Centres in cities and towns across the province. Friendship Centres are places where community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces can gather, connect, and receive culturally based services.

Friendship Centres improve the lives of urban Indigenous people by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to, and participation in, Canadian society while respecting Indigenous cultural distinctiveness. Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres – OFIFC

Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project – sharing wealth directly into the hands of Indigenous Youth–Led Projects in Ontario, Canada since 2015. Their partnership with Indigenous Youth led projects invests in a new way that reduces barriers, violence and harm to Individuals and Groups often created by colonial systems.​ Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project

Healing Lodges in Ontario – The healing lodge offers both residential and day programs that integrate traditional Indigenous healing practices with contemporary therapeutic interventions. These programs aim to reduce the impacts of trauma arising from sexual assault, physical, mental, and emotional abuse, as well as family instability. By creating a safe and culturally grounded environment, the lodge supports the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of Indigenous individuals and families. Its holistic approach fosters healing, rebuilding, and the strengthening of relationships, helping participants reconnect with themselves, their families, and their communities. Healing, health and wellness services for Indigenous people and families | ontario.ca

You can find more resources here: https://www.dcontario.org/indigenous-supports/

A Path Forward: Community-Led, Culturally Rooted Solutions

What Needs to Change

To create lasting change in the mental health and wellness of Indigenous youth, Canada must invest in Indigenous-led mental health and addiction programs. These initiatives are most effective because they are grounded in community values, traditional knowledge systems, and spiritual worldviews that reflect the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples. When programs are designed and led by their communities, they foster trust, social safety, and long-term engagement. Unlike many Western models, Indigenous-led approaches prioritize holistic healing, addressing not only the symptoms of mental distress but also the underlying historical, social, and spiritual causes of trauma.

Another critical area for change is the inclusion of Indigenous youth in decision-making processes. Youth bring unique insights rooted in their lived experiences, and their voices are vital in designing policies and programs that are relevant and impactful. When young people are meaningfully involved, services become more responsive and respectful of their needs and aspirations. Youth participation also strengthens leadership, builds resilience, and encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility for community well-being. Investing in youth leadership today lays the foundation for stronger, healthier Indigenous communities tomorrow.

While the Canadian government has taken steps—such as investing $425 million from 2019 to 2020 in culturally grounded wellness programming—much more is needed. These funds must be sustained, flexible, and directed by communities themselves to be truly effective. Furthermore, mental health cannot be addressed in isolation; access to housing, clean water, education, and safe, supportive communities is essential. Strengthening nation-to-nation partnerships and supporting Indigenous self-determination are key to ensuring long-term change. True reconciliation means not only acknowledging past harms but also committing to structural changes that uplift Indigenous lives, identities, and futures.

Conclusion: Hope, Healing, and the Power of Youth

Indigenous youth in Ontario are demonstrating extraordinary resilience and leadership as they work to reclaim their mental wellness by drawing strength from their cultures, traditions, and communities. Despite facing persistent systemic barriers, including intergenerational trauma, inadequate access to culturally relevant mental health services, and historical injustices, these young people are not only surviving but also leading change.

Their voices are essential in shaping policies and programs that reflect their lived realities and social knowledge. Grounded in both traditional Indigenous healing practices and innovative contemporary approaches, youth-led initiatives are showing promising outcomes for restoring wellness and fostering a sense of identity and belonging.

Shannen’s Dream (First Nations Child and Family Caring Society)
Shannen Koostachin, a Cree youth from Attawapiskat First Nation, led a national campaign for equitable education for Indigenous children. Her advocacy continues today as “Shannen’s Dream,” a youth-driven movement fighting for safe schools and culturally relevant education for all First Nations youth. Shannen’s Dream | First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life Promotion
A youth-led program in Ontario that trains young people to become community leaders and life promoters using Indigenous values and teachings. It combines mentorship, ceremony, and peer support to strengthen youth leadership and mental wellness. Feather Carriers – Wise Practices

To support this transformative work, it is imperative for policymakers, educators, service providers, and all citizens to actively champion Indigenous-led solutions and prioritize sustained investments in these communities. Standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities means acknowledging the past, listening to the voices of young people, and taking action toward justice and healing. There is immense strength in Indigenous culture and wisdom within community-based care, and the power of Indigenous youth to guide us all toward a more equitable and hopeful future cannot be overstated. Their leadership is not just a beacon of hope—it is the path forward.

References

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• Barker, B., Sedgemore, K., Tourangeau, M., Lagimodiere, L., Milloy, J., Dong, H., Hayashi, K., Shoveller, J., Kerr, T., & DeBeck, K. (2019). Intergenerational Trauma: The Relationship Between Residential Schools and the Child Welfare System Among Young People Who Use Drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(2), 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.

• CBC. (2025, May 20). Ontario Indigenous Stories. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ontario-indigenous-stories-1.7534539

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• First Nations Information Governance Centre. (2018). National report of the First Nations Regional Health Survey Phase 3: Volume one. https://fnigc.ca/sites/default/files/docs/ fnigc_rhs_phase_3_national_report_vol_1_en_final_web.pdf

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• Graham, S., Stelkia, K., Wieman, C., & Adams, E. (2021). Mental Health Interventions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada: A Systematic Review. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 12(2), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2021.12.2.10820

• Kirmayer, L. J., Brass, G. M., & Tait, C. L. (2007). The mental health of Aboriginal peoples: Transformations of identity and community. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(5), 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370705200906

• Manitowabi, S. (2018). Medicine Wheel Teachings. Ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/movementtowardsreconciliation/chapter/medicine-wheel-teachings/

• Marsh, T. N., Coholic, D., Cote-Meek, S., & Najavits, L. M. (2015). Blending Aboriginal and Western healing methods to treat intergenerational trauma with substance use disorder in Aboriginal peoples who live in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Harm Reduction Journal, 12(1), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-015-0046-1

• Mushquash, A. R., Neufeld, T., Malik, I., Toombs, E., Olthuis, J. V., Schmidt, F., Dunning, C., Stasiuk, K., Bobinski, T., Ohinmaa, A., Newton, A., & Stewart, S. H. (2024). Increasing access to mental health supports for 12–17-year-old Indigenous youth with the JoyPop mobile mental health app: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 25(1), Article 234. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08076-y

• Rourke, L., Damant, R., Kung, J. Y., & Widney, C. (2025). Health-related stigma among Indigenous Peoples in Canada: A scoping review. PloS One, 20(4), e0318618-. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318618

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• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Honouring the truth, reconciling for the future: Summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. https://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Final%20Reports/Executive_Summary_English_Web.pdf