First Nations Health Authority
The BC First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada. In 2013, the FNHA assumed the programs, services, and responsibilities formerly handled by Health Canada’s First Nations Inuit Health Branch – Pacific Region. The FNHA seeks to transform the health and well-being of BC’s First Nations and Aboriginal people by dramatically changing healthcare for the better.
The FNHA does not replace the role or services of the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Authorities but works to collaborate, coordinate, and integrate our respective health programs and services to achieve better health outcomes for BC’s First Nations. The FNHA works with the province and First Nations to address planning, health and wellness promotion, environmental health, mental health programming and service gaps through new partnerships, closer collaboration, and health systems innovation.
Download the Hope, Help and Healing toolkit (PDF 2.38 MB)
Aboriginal Liaisons and Programs within Your Health Authority
Along with the services and programs that health authorities provide to all residents of British Columbia, they also have Aboriginal specific programs and services. It can be difficult for patients to find what they need in the health care system. To assist Aboriginal patients, each health authority has Aboriginal patient liaisons, navigators or nurses.
Learn more below about the Aboriginal patient liaisons, navigators, or nurses in your health authority:
- Fraser Health: Aboriginal Health
- Interior Health: Aboriginal Patient Navigators (APN)
- Island Health: Aboriginal Liaison Nurse
- Northern Health: Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program
- Vancouver Coastal Health: Aboriginal Patient Navigators
Other Helpful Resources
1-800-SUICIDE
If you are in distress or are worried about someone in distress who may hurt themselves, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) 24 hours a day to connect to a BC crisis line.
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
First Nations and Aboriginal specific 24/7 crisis line based in Port Alberni and serving the entire province. Toll-free: 1-800-588-8717 – Youth Line: 250-723-2040 – Adult Line: 250-723-4050.
Native Youth Crisis Hotline – 1-877-209-1266
Answered by staff 24/7. Available throughout Canada and US.
Youth in BC
Visit www.youthinbc.com for youth resources or chat with a counselor online. You can also call 1-866-661-3311 (toll-free in BC) 24 hours a day.
Trans Lifeline – 1-877-330-6366 – www.translifeline.org
Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the well being of transgender people. We run a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have. This is a FREE helpline run by volunteers and supported by the community.
Centre for Suicide Prevention
Visit www.suicideinfo.ca for information, research and links to national distress websites.
310-6789 (no area code needed) Mental Health Information Line
Answered 24/7/365, it provides empowering emotional support, information on appropriate referral options and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns. See the Here to Help website for more information