Who We Are

The ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network is a national initiative dedicated to enhancing the mental health and wellness of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Canada. It serves as a collaborative gathering and learning space for Indigenous youth, Elders, Knowledge Holders, families and carers, community members, leaders and organizations; provincial and territorial Integrated Youth Services (IYS) networks, and both Indigenous and allied service providers and researchers, including Indigenous Research Champions from IYS networks, early career researchers and trainees.

 Our network evolved organically from the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Council into the ACCESS Open Minds Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network and continues to grow through a kinship model, built on trust and enduring partnerships. Our network draws upon the collective experience, wisdom and capacities of network members, established through years of dedicated work in Indigenous youth mental health and wellness. 

We are funded by the CIHR’s Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net) to “Build a broader pan-Canadian network that can help advocate for and support a sustainable system of mental health and wellness services across Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) communities” We have a long, exciting road ahead of us with long-term and short-term goals and initiatives.