First Nations, Inuit, & Métis Services
Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit can be provided in office or online through telehealth.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program is a national program that provides coverage to eligible registered First Nations and Inuit.
A status card is required for participation. Under this program, Skerrett Psychology provides Short-Term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Counselling up to a maximum of 15 one-hour sessions. The client comes in for an initial assessment and funding is requested from Health Canada. Once approved, the client is able to return for counselling sessions. There is no fee to the client for the initial assessment if funding is not approved.
Skerrett Psychology also provides IRS RHSP Individual and Family Counselling. A client is eligible for IRS RHSP mental health support services if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Former IRS Student: A former IRS student regardless of the individual's status (First Nations, Inuit, Métis, non-status, non-Aboriginal) or place of residence within Canada (on or off-reserve) who have received the Common Experience Payments (CEP) or who are resolving their claim against Canada through the Independent Assessment Process (IAP), or are participating in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) or commemoration events;
- Family Members: The family of former IRS students is defined as spouse/partner, those raised by or raised in the household of a former IRS student and any relations who have experienced effects of intergenerational trauma associated with an eligible family member's time at an IRS
To learn about the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program and how to access it, visit Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit.