Queen’s University has a central, on-going role in a landmark agreement to expand mental health care services to Metis citizens of Ontario.

Queen’s Centre for Health Services and Research Policy will conduct a survey of mental health conditions among the Metis people working in partnership with the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and Kingston-based mental health care provider Providence Care. The collection and analysis of the data by Queen’s will provide the information necessary to help, plan, access and provide appropriate services to meet the needs identified by the Metis.

“We are looking forward to finalizing the study plan for the mental health survey and are grateful to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for providing seed funding to assist us,” said Heather Stuart, a professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen’s.

The renewal of this agreement expands the MNO’s mental health resources, training and resource capacity across the province. Providence Care will provide training and certification for all MNO health care workers, including annual certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and Non Violent Crisis Intervention training. The MNO will also receive additional access to clinical training and mental health expertise via videoconferencing.

As well, under this agreement, the MNO clients are able to access Telepsychiatry services from Providence Care via videoconferencing, as access to specialists in mental health can be challenging, particularly in rural and northern communities.

The renewal agreement builds on the initial two-year agreement between the MNO, Queen’s and Providence Care which was signed in 2007.

For further information, please contact Cynthia DesGrosseilliers, 613 533-6000, ext. 75019, Cynthia.desgrosseilliers@queensu.ca, Manager, Media Relations.