Although Aboriginal Mental health problems are often linked to loss of culture, colonization, exposure to poverty and significant traumatic events, the truth is that suicide is a very complex problem whose determinants are unknown. There is a need to have more thorough culturally grounded understanding of mental health problems among Aboriginal people in Manitoba. 

During the last ten years, HSC has recruited internationally-recognized researchers in traumatic stress, Aboriginal mental health, depression and anxiety. Our hospital is committed to establishing a global centre of excellence by increasing research scope and attracting international talent.

HSC’s team of researchers have acquired a large grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research to work with Garry Munro and the Swampy Cree Tribal Council to focus on preventing suicide among First Nations communities in Northwestern Manitoba. 

The relationship with the Swampy Cree Tribal Council is vital to the success of these research efforts, and the involvement of RBC Royal Bank as a funding partner facilitates the capacity to do important suicide prevention work in remote communities.

“Suicide, especially  in aboriginal youth is an enormous problem in Canada. Aboriginal suicidal behavior is a complex problem linked to individual, family, community and socio-cultural factors. There is a need to develop interventions to reduce suicidal behavior, especially for on-reserve populations.”

Dr. Jitender Sareen, Head of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at HSC and Director of Research for the Department of Psychiatry. 

Visit www.suicideresearch.ca to learn more about research in Aboriginal Mental Health.