A thoughtful Canada Day at CMHA

CMHA Ottawa joins many across the country in reflecting on Canada’s past and future this year on July 1.

CMHA is deeply troubled by the revelations from investigations into unmarked grave sites at former residential schools in BC and Saskatchewan. We recognize that for Indigenous peoples, this is a day of mourning rather than celebration, and extend our deepest condolences to those who are grieving.

The physical, psychological and spiritual violence stemming from residential schools has caused pain that has been passed from generation to generation. The recent discoveries in BC and Saskatchewan reflects the long history of racism, violence and cultural genocide towards Indigenous peoples in Canada which did not end with the closure of residential schools. It continues to this day. Every day, Indigenous people live the very real impacts of systemic racism and colonialism, which affect their mental health and well-being.

CMHA Ottawa stands with CMHA National in calling for our health care system and decision-makers to heed the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to support Indigenous communities’ calls to action on reconciliation, and particularly those in support of Indigenous mental health, healing, and well-being.

To learn more about the TRC, visit their website.

If you feel that you are out of balance (emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually), please reach out. Through Counselling Connect, you can book an Indigenous-specific counselling session: https://counsellingconnect.org