'They need support today': Sask. therapist says many survivors struggling after residential school revelations
On a day when many across Canada were shocked by the announcement of the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Saskatchewan, an expert specializing in Indigenous mental health says it's critical to think of those hit hardest by the news and make sure they get the support they need.
The revelation concerning the graves came during a virtual news conference Thursday morning.
Before announcing that 751 unmarked graved had been found in his community, Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme shared the phone numbers for crisis lines to help people who may be deeply affected by the news — particularly those who have some connection to the residential school experience.
Shana Cardinal says that step is essential, especially as the news comes on the heels of the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at a residential school in Kamloops in May.
Cardinal is a mental health therapist and registered social worker based in Regina who specializes in helping Indigenous clients.
Cardinal said she's seen an increase in calls since the discovery in Kamloops last month.
"It is bringing up past trauma for a lot of our residential school survivors and 60s scoop, or day school survivors," Cardinal said.
Shana Cardinal is a mental health therapist based in Regina. (Courtesy Shana Cardinal)Shana Cardinal
Cardinal said she has already started receiving calls related to Thursday's news.
"There are some people struggling and they need support today," she said.
"As an Indigenous person, the first news from Kamloops with the 215 bodies discovered was shocking to not only Canada, Saskatchewan, B.C., but really nationally and globally. And now it's hitting closer to home," Cardinal said.
ELDERS NEED SUPPORT
While often seen as a source of strength in Indigenous communities, Cardinal said elders, many of whom endured traumatic residential school experiences of their own, may need added support.
"We often look as Indigenous people to our elders, but I think our elders are also grieving and healing ... our healers need healing too," Cardinal said.
School-aged kids, many of whom are now learning more about the suffering caused by residential schools as a result of these discoveries, may also find themselves affected.
"I feel like it's our responsibility as adults to educate the young ones and it's been a rough time for a lot of people and we have to make safe spaces for people to talk about it," Cardinal said.
If anyone struggling because of the news, or knows some who is, Cardinal said it's important to access the resources that are available to help
"(Make sure they call) those 1-800 numbers, other therapists are available and willing to talk," Cardinal said.
"We have to be aware of what they're going through. We have to be supportive of one another."
If you are a residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Regina/Treaty Status Indian Services is also openoing a crisis line Thursday afternoon that can be reached by dialing 306-522-7494
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.