Sask. app aims to provide First Nations-focused mental health support
CBC
A Saskatchewan-based mental health app is aiming to help First Nations people feel heard.
Talking Stick was developed by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations alongside Canadian tech health company TryCycle Data Systems. It is a free and anonymous text-only chat platform that allows First Nations people to connect with a trained peer advocate in Saskatchewan.
The advocates are First Nations people who have been trained to listen with compassion, respect and humility. They are not crisis counsellors or health-care professionals.
Nathan Chamakese, the northwest regional manager for the app, said the platform is meant to be a mental-health support built around the concept, "for First Nations by First Nations."
"In regards to mental health we tried to tie in the cultural components to it. We tried to tie in any kind of respect to traditions and teachings," Chamakese told CBC Radio's The Afternoon Edition host Garth Marterie.
"The name itself, we're referring to that sharing circle and giving that opportunity to somebody who's actually using the app as a talking stick. We're basically putting the spotlight on them to share whatever it is that they feel. "
Chamakese said the peer advocates are there to provide supportive listening — which means providing positive reaffirmation and reassurances that things are going to be OK — not giving advice.
The app launched in June. It has had more than 2,000 downloads and the platform is averaging more than 100 chats per day, according to Chamakese.
He added that this is an innovative way for First Nations people to receive support.
"Especially in this day and age, it's hard to reach our young people coming from our First Nations perspective,' Chamakese said.
"A lot of times we kind of reference back to our elders' teachings and ceremony and culture, and I find with how impactful technology is on young people [the Talking Stick] gives them a broader range of connection."
LISTEN | Sask. peer-to-peer support app aims to help First Nations people feel heard:
The chat platform is available in 11 languages, nine of which are Indigenous.
Malcolm King is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and is a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan. His work focuses on improving wellness and achieving health equity for First Nations People, Métis and Inuit in Canada.
