Reach out to a loved one who may be in crisis. Effective suicide prevention starts with all of us.

In honour of World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2016, we encourage those impacted by suicide, loved ones of those currently in crisis and all people to stand together to raise awareness of suicide and its prevention.

When it comes to crises in our communities or families, such as suicide and suicide risk, our circles of support and wellness can help provide individuals with hope and a sense of greater connection.

In fact, as friends, relatives or loved ones of those in crisis, we have the greatest impact on preventing suicide. Be an active member of your community, family and friend group to remind others, and yourself, that they are not alone.

Read the full article here. 

​Reflections from Indian Residential School Survivors.

​By: Hillary (Hilly) Johnson & John Jones

With September comes a change in season. As the leaves are beginning to turn colour, so marks the end of the long bombardment of back-to-school ads. These ads tend to feature happy children, bright eyed and excited to return to school, and even happier parents, joyfully seeing them off on yellow school buses.

For Canada's Indian Residential School Survivors, back-to-school season can be a time of emotional triggers. To acknowledge this hard time for some, two Elders shared with FNHA their recollections of what "back to school" meant for them and our country's history.

Thanks to Hillary and John for sharing their stories with the FNHA.

Read them in full, including ​​​three things families and friends of residential school survivors can do this time of year. 

Power outages and fire retardants may have affected the quality of your water and the safety of your food. The impact on you and your family will vary according to your situation but all evacuees are advised to take steps to ensure your food and water is safe when returning to their homes.

Read it here.

FNHA works to make lifesaving Naloxone kits available to BC First Nations community members.

With Naloxone, we have the power to save lives. Hundreds of overdoses have been prevented since Naloxone kits became available as part of a BC public health program in 2014. Take Home Naloxone kits are available in provincial and First Nation harm reduction sites and pharmacies across BC.

Community support is critical to the take-home Naloxone initiative. “In each community, there is a community member – a champion – stepping forward to support other community members who are using drugs,” says Janine Stevenson, FNHA Nurse Specialist in Harm Reduction.

Read the full article here.

Click here to view the latest FNHA Data Governance Video: Wellness Indicators.

In the second installment of ‘Research Rounds’, the main types of health indicators addressed in the Regional Health Survey (FNRHS) and the Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES) were discussed.

The focus of this fifth installment is on the process by which certain health indicators are selected for inclusion in the FNRHS and FNREEES provincial reports.

Click here to read Research Rounds #5.

Celebrate with an Our Community, Our Water Day Event in Your Community​.

Water is an integral part of life, community and wellbeing. To help protect and celebrate the importance of water, particularly drinking water, in your community, the FNHA Drinking Water Safety Program would like to invite First Nations communities in BC to submit a proposal for a community water awareness day event!

Find out more here.

First Nations in BC share a vision of healthy, self-determining
and vibrant First Nation children, families and communities.
We as BC First Nations have set a goal of eliminating health
inequalities. In addition to improving health services, we
want to work collaboratively to address the social and
environmental factors that contribute to poorer health
outcomes for our people.

Through Regional Caucuses and Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey, First Nations Chiefs in BC have directed the First Nations Health Council to build partnerships and make progress on the social determinants of health.

The full FNHC Fall Communique is available here.

Upcoming patient centered care-focused webinars hosted by the Ministry of Health are meant for health care providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, community health nurses, midwives, dietitians and other community health providers such as community health representatives, home visitors and home care aides. Anyone working in the health or social service field is welcome to attend.

Find the webinar list and register here.

Nutrition Service Delivery Model​
Closing Date: September 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm
More info here.

General Manager
Organization: Leq’á:mél First Nation
Location(s): Deroche BC
Deadline: Sep 16, 2016 by 5:00 PM
Job description

Addictions Counsellor
Organization: Katzie First Nation
Location(s): Pitt Meadows BC
Deadline: Sep 12, 2016 by 5:00 PM
Job description

Community Health Representatives
Organization: shishalh Nation
Location(s): Sechelt BC
Job description

Nurse Practitioner
Organization: Island Health
Location(s): Port Hardy
Job description

Wellness Counsellor Facilitator
Organization: Round Lake Treatment Centre
Location(s): Armstrong
Job description

Regional Health Liaison, Vancouver Coastal Region
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Sept 9, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Administrative Assistant/Reception
Location(s): Prince George
Deadline: Sept 9, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Epidemiologist
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Sept 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Community Health Practice Consultant
Location(s): Nanaimo/Victoria/Campbell River
Deadline: Sept 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Specialist, Healthy Eating and Food Security
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Sept 16, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Senior Analyst, eHealth Network
Location(s): Vancouver
Deadline: Sept 20, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Maternal Child & Family Health Professional Development and Practice Lead (Port Hardy)
Location(s): Kwakwaka'wakw
Deadline: Sept 23, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Job description

Community Health Nurse
Location(s): Various
Job description