Research Guides: Indigenous Book Club & Discover Indigenous Authors: Support for survivors and those experiencing trauma

Supports for those experiencing trauma

This page deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse.

A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

More support resources can be found at the sites below:

Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) strives to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual growth, development, and healing through culturally-based values and guiding principles for Survivors, Families, and Communities.

Their mandate is to assist First Nation Peoples in British Columbia to recognize and be holistically empowered from the primary and generational effect of the Residential Schools by supporting research, education, awareness, partnerships, and advocating for justice and healing. The Society assists Survivors with counselling, court support, information, referrals, workshops, and more.
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional and cultural support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families throughout all phases of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, including:

Common Experience Payments (CEP)
Independent Assessment Process (IAP)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) events
commemorative activities
Resolution Health Support Program Services are safe, confidential, respectful and non-judgmental.
Coping with Emotional Reactions
This short document from Health Canada outlines some strategies for dealing with emotional reactions to painful memories and past trauma. Revisiting painful memories can be an important step in the healing process. It can also lead to difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours. You should not be surprised if you experience emotional reactions hours, days or weeks later. This is perfectly normal.

When past emotions or memories are triggered, you need to be kind to yourself and others. It is helpful to have a plan of how to take care of yourself as a way to honour what you have been through.

Local U of T Health and Wellness Resources

U of T Health & Wellness via Student Life
Health & Wellness in the Department of Student Life provides a range of health services for your physical and mental health, wellness programs and information to help support you in achieving your personal and academic goals.
UTSC Health & Wellness Centre
The Health & Wellness Centre's team of health care professionals provide medical, counselling, health promotion and education services to University of Toronto Scarborough students. Students with a current student card and a valid health card can use these services.
UTM Health & Counselling Centre
The UTM Health & Counselling medical staff is experienced in working with diverse university populations and is comfortable discussing all topics related to student health and wellness.

In addition to the medical care provided by the physicians and nurses, the HCC offers personal counselling or group counselling to assist students experiencing a wide range of challenges.

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Supports for those experiencing trauma

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