Although the healing and well-being of Survivors is at the Foundation’s forefront throughout the year, it is most poignantly felt during the holiday season. The Survivor-led, volunteer Board knows well that the holidays can be a challenge, made even more difficult by the expectations of social media general expectations from society. For some of us, the holidays can bring up unwanted feelings, trigger unresolved trauma or sometimes cause us to unintentionally re-experience such as past trauma. We want you to know that, as part of this community, you are not alone this holiday season.
We understand how important it is that a caring community do everything we can to support the needs of Survivors as quickly as possible. The volunteer Board and the talented staff of the Foundation plead with you that if you are struggling this holiday season, to be gentle with yourself and others. We encourage you to connect with the safe people in your life, or to reach out for support without hesitation.
If you need emotional and/or mental health counselling or just need to reach out and talk to someone who will listen, crisis support is available to Survivors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Hope for Wellness Hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online at www.hopeforwellness.ca. By calling the Hotline or going to the website, you can speak immediately to culturally competent counselling support or the online chat counselling service. We understand that many Sixties Scoop Survivors have used this service, and the Hotline team is knowledgeable about these issues. National mental health supports are available here in English and here in French
For the Suicide Crisis Hotline for 24/7 available to safely speak with someone for calls and texts: 9-8-8 https://988.ca/
Here are some of the existing supports available to you.
There are also supports provided online for those who are interested in connecting to communities virtually. There are many Sixties Scoop Communities that you are invited to explore or join, please visit this link for more details.
Peace to you this Solstice, have a restfully holidays, and a Happy New Year!!!
We look forward to a productive 2024. From all of us, to you, your families and communities we send offerings of good health, love, compassion, joy, and peace.
In the spirit of healing, restoration, and solidarity, gilakas'la, kinanâskomitin, marsee, marsi cho, migwetch, nia;wen, niaut, nakummek, nakirmiik, tshinashkumitin, wela'lin, tiawenhk, wliWni, merci, thank you
Wayne Garnons-Williams, B.A., LL.B.,M.P.A., LL.M.
Acting Chief Executive Officer
On behalf of the the Board of Directors and Staff of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada
