MAMISARVIK HEALING CENTRE

A significant number of Inuit are going through grief and loss of a loved one to suicide. Our statistics have shown that a majority of our clientele have experienced suicidal ideation at some point in their lives.

The Mamisarvik Healing Centre’s vision is to help Inuit who arestruggling with alcohol and drug dependencies and/or thenegative effects ofresidential schools, relocation and dog team slaughters.Wetreat victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, poverty, children of alcoholics etc.

Regardless of the emotional scarring Inuit have experienced we see a significant change in clients that go through our program.

We teach the clients coping skills, assertiveness skills, anger management, self love, understanding of the many forms of violence and take them to healthy recreational activities. Most important, we see our clients choosing to live.

The centre has 12 beds for clients that are interested in receiving 24 hour support in a comfortable environment.

We provide exceptional Inuit specific treatment services in a safe caring environment that respects Inuit culture and language. We walk the individuals through their personal healing process and support them on their journey.

Application and Assessment
The application process collects information on the client’s immediate needs to provide direction for the next steps in the assessment/treatment process.

A full professional assessment provides more detailed information on client needs, characteristics, goals and problems. The assessment forms the basis for an initial treatment plan which focuses on client strengths, prioritized problem areas, and identified barriers, readiness for change. These are summarized in an assessment report.
In the case that a client may not be ready for treatment, they are able to receive individual counseling sessions once they have completed the assessment package.

Treatment Programs
We believe that individuals will become responsible for their own recovery once given the proper level and quality of treatment. During the program clients will experience a full day of supportive recovery each and every day.

Community Day Treatment:
An 8 week structured program of treatment activities, approximately 7 hours per day. The client resides at home and comes into the facility daily. Day treatment services are provided in a comfortable homey environment. In addition to private therapist’s offices and large and small group rooms, the centre has a kitchen, dining area, recreation room and gazebo outside.

Residential Treatment:
During the 8 week treatment cycle clients live in the treatment centre where they receive 24 hour support from staff that are sensitive to the needs of the clients. Clients also have access to cable TV, laundry facilities, pool table and recreational activities in the evening and weekends.

Pre-treatment:
Clients that are in the application process have access to pre-treatment services where they will receive information about the treatment program and receive stabilization services from the intake and assessment worker.

Continuing Care:
Continuing care plans are developed with the clients during the 8 week treatment program.

Continuing care plans can provide relapse prevention and follow-up through weekly group or individuals sessions.
For clients that live outside the Ottawa area, staff will remain in contact by telephone and/or email where possible and liaise with the social worker in their community to offer support in implementing their continuing care plans.

Transition House:
Located right next door to the treatment centre, the transition house aims at providing support to Inuit who are in a period of transition. The transition house is fully staffed with residential counselor, a housing support worker and a continuing care counselor.

Staff:
The centre has 15 full time staff and 7 seasonal workers that are sensitive and aware of the effects that Inuit are struggling with today.

80 percent of the staff speaks Inuktitut. Services are provided in Inuktitut and English.

Each client is provided a primary counselor who provides case management services, individual counseling sessions and works with the client to implement their continuing care plan.

For More Information:
Call: 613-563-3546
Fax: 613-563-3540
Mail: Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Mamisarvik Healing Centre
1863 Russell Rd.
Ottawa, ON K1G-0N1
Email: mhc@tungasuvvingatinuit.ca or

Thank you to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and Health Canada for their support.