First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

First Nations Health Authority provides clients with access to counselling services from mental health providers.

FNHA Health Benefits administers coverage for mental health counselling through three programs:

• Mental Wellness and Counselling (MW&C)
• The Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP)
• The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Health Support Services (MMIWG HSS)

Please call the FNHA Health Benefits line at 1-855-550-5454 to learn more about exceptional coverage.

Mental Wellness and Counselling

Mental Wellness and Counselling is designed to support clients who are in need of professional assistance to resolve emotional distress and enjoy greater wellness.

For a list of providers registered with Health Benefits, check out the FNHA First Nations Health Benefits Mental Health Provider List.

Mental Wellness and Counselling Coverage

Health Benefits provides the following counselling services through the MW&C program:

ServiceCounselling HoursCoverage PeriodInitial Assessment2 hours12 monthsCounselling20 hours

Mental Wellness and Counselling Exclusions

Some services are considered exclusions under the MW&C program. Clients cannot seek exception or appeal for excluded items. MW&C Exclusions include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment services for issues such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and child custody;
• Early intervention programs for infants with delayed development;
• Educational and vocational counselling, including psychoeducational assessments;
• Life skills training;
• Psychiatric emergencies for person(s) at risk of harm to self or others;
• Services funded by another program or agency, including psychiatric and family physician services through BC MSP;
• Services including: psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, expressive arts therapy, and sex therapy;
• Services that are part of, or to be used for, legal actions including court-ordered assessments; and
• Substance abuse counselling/therapy.

Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program

The Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP) is a national program administered in BC through Health Benefits. Through the IRS RHSP, counselling is available to address mental distress and intergenerational trauma resulting from the legacy of the residential school system in Canada. Services are available for former students who attended a residential school listed in the 2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Services are also available to the family members of those students. First Nations and non-First Nations individuals are eligible for the program.

IRS RHSP Coverage

Health Benefits provides the following counselling services through the IRS RHSP:

ServiceCounselling HoursCoverage PeriodInitial Assessment2 hours12 monthsCounselling20 hours

IRS coverage is renewable as providers can request additional hours within the 12-month period.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Health Support Services

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Health Support Services (MMIWG HSS) is a national program administered in BC through Health Benefits. Counselling is available to address mental distress and trauma resulting from the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Services are available for survivors, family members, and others affected by the issue. First Nations and non-First Nations individuals are eligible for the program. The program will be in place until June 2020.

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