Aboriginal Mental Healthcare in Canada: The role of alternative service delivery in transforming the provision of mental health services

Abstract

With growing complexity surrounding the issue of mental health, there is increased pressure for healthcare providers to engage in Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) and collaborative service delivery. Moreover, Aboriginal mental health has historically been an area of high concern and controversy, due to the high incidence of mental illness within this population. The unique social and cultural contexts that impact the type of healthcare services provided, and how these services are organized and delivered, require special consideration to be made when designing ASD models for Aboriginal mental healthcare. This paper seeks to identify current ASD initiatives being undertaken in Canada, while exploring the need for innovative and collaborative service delivery initiatives related to Aboriginal mental health, identifying current gaps and potential barriers to service delivery.