Support for Residential School Survivors and Families

What happened at residential schools was not your fault. The harm reached families and communities, and it can still be felt by those who never attended a school.

What people often carry

• Memories, nightmares or being always on guard
• Shame, anger or grief that doesn’t seem to end
• Difficulty trusting, or feeling close to your children or partner
• Disconnection from language, culture or family
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope

These are understandable responses to what was done. They are not signs that something is wrong with you.

How counselling can help

• You stay in control. You never have to tell your story to get help.
• Safety comes first. Time goes into building stability before going into painful memories.
• Your healing path is respected. Elders, ceremony, family and community can sit alongside counselling.

Ways to get support

Counselling may be covered by NIHB, or by the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program for eligible former students and their families. Mukesh can help you work out what applies to you. If you can’t pay any fee that isn’t covered, your counselling is free.

Sources: Indigenous Services Canada, NIHB mental health counselling benefits and the guide to the benefit. Program rules can change.