What does Háhalhi7iwan mean? Inside Squamish Nation's new wellness team
Squamish Nation has a new wellness department called Háhalhi7iwan, which means "becoming well in mind, body and spirit." It offers counselling, addictions and mental health support, healing on the land, peer support and mobile outreach for Members of all ages. Members can reach the team by phone at 604-982-7816 or by email at wellness@squamish.net.
What the name means
Háhalhi7iwan means "becoming well in mind, body and spirit." The Squamish Nation says the name reflects the new department's focus on whole person wellness rooted in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture. It supports Members of all ages and walks alongside them through times of crisis and healing. Staff aim to centre each person and be guided by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values and teachings.
The department has three main teams, plus workshops and programs.
Therapy and healing
This team offers culturally safe therapy that takes trauma into account, for children, youth, adults, Elders and families. Services include:
- Mental health and substance use counselling
- Addictions support
- Family and individual therapy
- Crisis intervention and case management
- Coordinated care planning
- Therapy groups
Staff include community wellness and addictions therapists, addiction counsellors and family therapists.
Family, culture and the land
Guided by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings and traditional ways of knowing, this team supports people and families on their healing journeys.
- Land based healing practitioners offer traditional teachings, healing sessions, medicine gathering, outreach, workshops and programs that reconnect people to the land and traditional practices.
- Family wellness support workers help children, youth, adults and families.
- Support groups let children, youth, parents and caregivers connect with other Community Members.
Outreach and crisis response
This team offers flexible support that is easy to access, through mobile outreach, crisis response, harm reduction and peer support. Its work includes overdose prevention, outreach and assessment, advocacy, referrals, drug checking and education. The Nation says the team works to support both immediate and long term action on the toxic drug crisis and its impacts on the Community.
Háhalhi7iwan also runs workshops and repeating programs for people of all ages.
How to reach Háhalhi7iwan
- Phone: 604-982-7816
- Email: wellness@squamish.net
- More information, including how to pronounce the name: Squamish Nation website
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