Deviance- mental health and illness (assigned videos+ reading)

What personal history does the speaker share about childhood?

Grew up in 38 foster homes, two residential schools, and one day school; trauma described as intergenerational and cultural genocide.

What term describes the ongoing impact of multiple generations of trauma discussed in the transcript?

Complex trauma and intergenerational trauma.

What program is being examined for Indigenous health benefits and coverage?

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.

Who is Rob Cribb in the investigation?

A journalist/examiner looking into NIHB and its impact on Indigenous communities.

What does NIHB cover for First Nations people?

Costs of medication, counselling, health care, and travel for those not covered by other medical insurance or who can't afford treatment.

What are two major barriers to finding suitable NIHB-supported counselling?

1) Majority of counsellors on the NIHB list are not Indigenous; 2) Unclear experience with Indigenous communities and limited cultural/trauma-informed training.

What systemic issues were identified with NIHB providers and access?

Barriers in finding a provider, long waitlists due to few qualified psychologists, and providers expecting timely payment.

How did some front-line providers feel about participating in NIHB?

They felt it wasn't worth the hassle due to delayed payments and bureaucratic hurdles.

What percentage of NIHB-listed providers reportedly had experience with First Nations and Inuit communities?

Fewer than a third.

Give an example of a therapist found on the NIHB list with a problematic history.

Dr. Oren Amitay, who was found guilty of professional misconduct and faced additional complaints; he posted controversial views about residential schools and graves.

How did the public react to Amitay's views?

Outcry from Indigenous communities; calls to fire him and concern that a mental health professional should not minimize or misrepresent Indigenous trauma.

What did Indigenous Services Canada say about the NIHB provider list?

The list is constantly evolving; providers who lose licenses are delisted; a provider can be added back on only if reinstated by a regulatory body.

What major discovery did the investigation make about providers' backgrounds?

There were therapists with disciplinary histories and serious offences, but also many dedicated providers; the finding highlighted both concerns and dedication.

What problem did Dr. Sheldon address, and what did she do?

Recognized high risk from long waitlists; provided 2,300 free counselling sessions, valued at about $160,000, to help vulnerable Indigenous clients.

What financial barrier affects providers accepting NIHB clients?

Delayed payments from NIHB deter many providers from accepting NIHB clients.

How widespread was NIHB acceptance among clinics surveyed in Ontario?

100 clinics surveyed; 15 reported having at least one counsellor who accepts NIHB; about 1,300 mental health professionals exist, and 98% would not accept NIHB.

What is the overall question the investigation raises about NIHB?

Whether the NIHB program actually improves access and outcomes for Indigenous clients or contributes to delays, bureaucracy, and less culturally appropriate care.

What was the federal response to the investigation's findings?

Indigenous Services Canada stated commitment to improving client access and inviting feedback, but provided no specific fixes.

What is the lived-experience complaint voiced by clients about the system?

They feel unheard, unbelieved, and let down by an NIHB system that seems to deter Indigenous people from getting timely, cultural, trauma-informed care.

What is the broader demand from Indigenous people regarding NIHB?

A more accessible, inclusive program that truly supports Indigenous health and wellbeing, with better cultural sensitivity and faster, reliable payments.

What event did Attawapiskat First Nation report first?

11 people attempted suicide in one day, part of broader reports of teens in a suicide pact.

How many people in Attawapiskat's community have attempted suicide since last September?

101 people.

How does the suicide rate for First Nations youth compare to non-Indigenous youth?

First Nations youth are five to seven times more likely to commit suicide.

How many state of emergencies has Attawapiskat had since 2006?

Five.

What did research over the past 15-20 years find about communities with strong cultural resources vs. those with little cultural continuity?

Communities with strong cultural resources and continuity tend to have very low suicide rates; those with little cultural continuity tend to have higher suicide rates.

What factors are linked to higher risks of youth suicide in rural and reserve communities?

Poverty, unemployment, low educational resources and attainment, limited infrastructure and services, and overall social determinants of health.

What concept explains how historical and current traumas affect families and communities over generations?

Intergenerational trauma.

What are some examples of social determinants of health mentioned as important in this context?

Poverty, housing, clean water, economic conditions, access to services, and historical trauma (e.g., residential schools, the '60s Scoop).

What is the effect of a lack of basic needs being met on mental health?

It contributes to higher rates of depression and suicide; meeting basic needs is crucial for better mental health.

What other factors, besides mental illness, do Dr. Wieman and Dr. Stewart say contribute to the crisis?

Social determinants of health, including poverty, housing, education, access to services, and intergenerational trauma.

What term did some use to describe the crisis, and what is the response to that term?

"Suicide pandemic." The doctors caution against over-reliance on buzzwords but acknowledge the seriousness and need for action and resources.

Why can suicide incidents "cluster" in small communities?

In small communities, everyone knows each other; when one individual reaches despair, others may feel the same pressures and it can lead to clusters.

What kinds of resources do the experts say are needed to help youth in Attawapiskat?

Culturally safe healing resources, holistic supports, and resources for families and the broader community; access to traditional cultural resources (language, Indigenous practices).

What is the potential impact of providing recreational facilities (like a skating rink) in Indigenous communities?

Such facilities can reduce suicide rates by increasing physical activity, sense of identity, competence, and community engagement.

Why might relocation or moving to urban areas not be a straightforward solution for Attawapiskat?

Relocation may not address the underlying issues and could lead to further disconnection from cultural roots and community support.

What role do treaty rights play in addressing the crisis according to the panel?

They can help ensure communities receive resources and supports; denying treaty rights hampers the community's ability to address its own needs.

What did Suzanne Stewart say about the origin of these problems?

They originate from the colonial settler relationship and ongoing inequities, not only from individual mental health issues.

What is one of the main actions the panelists advocate for non-Indigenous Canadians to take?

Put pressure on government representatives to implement existing tools and frameworks and honor treaty rights; support implementation of recommended programs.

Name a few suggestions the community proposed to help youth.

More youth programming (drug/alcohol-free spaces), youth camps, track and field, cinema, library, skate park, and a YMCA-like facility.

What has research shown about traditional Indigenous activities and youth mental health?

Regular access to traditional cultural resources (language, activities like hunting, fishing, crafting) is associated with better mental health and lower depression/suicide risk.

What is the suggested role of elders in the youth's support system?

Elders were traditionally a trusted source for youth problems; their involvement is seen as important but can be less available today.

What overarching message do the panelists want Canadians to understand about Indigenous youth suicide?

It is a social problem rooted in structural inequities and colonial history, not simply a medical issue; solutions require resources, policy action, and Indigenous-led community healing.

What type of approach do the experts say is needed beyond short-term crisis responses?

Long-term investment in social determinants of health, cultural continuity, education, infrastructure, and treaty-rights-based resource provision.

How do the advocates characterize effective support during a state of emergency in these communities?

Bringing in resources that are culturally safe, holistic, and coordinated to address the needs of youth, families, and the wider community.

What is a key takeaway about implementing tools and recommendations already developed in the past?

They exist (e.g., Royal Commission recommendations, Mental Wellness Continuum), but they must be acted on now, not left waiting.

What was the main finding of the coroner's inquest into Soleiman Faqiri's death?

The inquest concluded that correctional facilities are the wrong environment for people experiencing mental health issues, highlighting a need for significant changes in how such individuals are treated and cared for.

Who are the key participants joining Steve Paikin in this discussion, and what roles do they hold?

The participants are Yusuf Faqiri, Glenda O'Hara, Dr. Mara Muraven, and Mick Kunze.

What did Yusuf Faqiri say about the accountability and implementation of the inquest's recommendations?

He criticized the lack of public accountability and noted that corrections often operate with insufficient transparency, leading to preventable deaths.

What is a major barrier to improving conditions for people with mental illness in the corrections system?

The existence of silos between health care, corrections, and justice sectors, plus a stigma around mental illness.

How do the forensic mental health system and the general corrections system differ?

The forensic system focuses on treatment within secure hospitals, while the general corrections system is a penitentiary setting with a different care focus.

What concrete changes does Yusuf Faqiri advocate for immediately?

He advocates for external, parliamentary oversight of corrections and an external body to monitor and report on corrections.

What role does Glenda O'Hara believe staff training and humane approaches should play in corrections?

She emphasizes the need for humane treatment, de-escalation training, and soft communication.

What outcome differences do community programs claim when people move from forensic health facilities to community-based rehabilitation?

They report better outcomes and lower recidivism (around 6%) compared to higher rates in the general correctional population.

What personal project did Yusuf Faqiri undertake after his brother's death?

He founded Justice for Soli to advocate for systemic change and give voice to people with mental health challenges in the corrections system.

What is the central concept behind Alison Garwood-Jones' book on grief?

The book uses a reimagined 'stages of grief' framework to explore the complex experiences of grief after losing a parent.

How does Alison describe the connection between grief and everyday life?

She argues that grief and death have become separated from daily life, which can hinder healing.

What is one of Alison's observations about Mother's Day after losing a parent?

For many, it feels like a reminder of loss and becomes a time to reflect.

What overarching message do the speakers convey about transforming the system for mental health in custody?

There is a strong need for empathy, dismantling silos, increasing accountability and transparency, and adopting a more holistic approach.

Who was Adam Raine?

A teen who loved anime, gaming, and dogs. He committed suicide after taking advice from ChatGPT. 

What chronic illness did Adam Raine suffer with?

He had severe IBS to the point where he had to start online school due to his frequent trips to the washroom.

What internet movement was Adam into?

Looksmaxxing

What happened when Adam asked for information about specific suicide methods?

ChatGPT provided extensive information by saying it’s for writing or world building, even helping him keep his feelings secret. 

Is Adam Raine’s case the first lawsuit against OpenAI?

Yes, though there was an earlier case against CharacterAI.