We have been able to promote Brighter Futures and Mental Health Programs which are funded by Health Canada with various activities that promotes and encourages physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of different genders and age clientele. In this report, I wish to stress the objectives of the Brighter Futures and Mental Health Program so that the Community members of Ouje-Bougoumou will better understand the programs. Brighter Futures/Mental Health Program is guided by the following principles:
• A holistic approach is essential to support First Nations individuals, families and communities;
• A holistic approach is best achieved when the five components of the program – mental health, child development, parenting, healthy babies and injury prevention- are coordinated and linked with each other, as well as with other programs and services;
• Including community members in the design of a program increases the likelihood of meeting the community’s need;
• Program designs that are community-based are more likely to meet the needs of the community;
• Program design should occur at a pace determined by the community; and
• A more comprehensive health program is achieved when a continuum of programs and services are offered, from health promotion and ill-health prevention to intervention and rehabilitation.
