Supporting mental health through culture, community and care

A new program is combining culturally-meaningful practices with mental health and addictions care.

“I've been hearing over the years how our clients were wanting to find their cultural identity,” said recreation therapist Marg Petty.  

When Petty was cleaning up her mother’s old sewing projects, she discovered a collection of fabric that could be used to make culturally-meaningful items, and the idea for the Indigenous Cultural Recovery program was sparked.

Developed through a partnership with Wanuskewin Heritage Park with funding from the Community Mental Health Endowment Grant through the Royal University Hospital Foundation, the program aims to integrate culturally-meaningful practices into therapeutic programming for mental health and addictions clients.  

“The research shows that having a strong connection to culture, identity, and being able to openly engage in those things does have a positive impact on mental health and well-being" said Ashley Springer, an occupational therapist who runs the program with Petty.  

The program is designed to strengthen each client’s sense of self, cultural identity and accomplishment.

During this session, each participant had the opportunity to create their own ribbon skirt or shirt over four weeks.

“The evidence is just on the smiles on people's faces, Springer said. “Being able to see people doing projects, things they can be proud of, share with others, that's recovery.”

More sessions are planned to take place in the future, integrating projects such as beading and medicine bags.