Child & Youth Mental Health Navigator

Reporting to the Director, Urban Integrated Services, the Child & Youth Mental Health Navigator will be primarily responsible for driving the mental health van to various locations in the city to provide prevention, assessment, referrals, and support to children and youth. The Child & Youth Mental Health Navigator will work collaboratively alongside existing school programs to compliment services. The Child and Youth Mental Health Navigator will build healthy relationships with children, youth and families, as well as provide education to children and youth with a focus on mental wellness, such as suicide prevention, substance use, anxiety, depression, pregnancy, and homelessness.

**Responsibilities**:

- Being able to provide support to children and youth at times of crisis
- Provide students, families, and school teams with a list of services and/or referrals that are available through Saskatoon Tribal Council
- Establishes and maintains knowledge of community resources and builds strong relationships with external agencies and partners;
- Be knowledgeable about services and programs available in the community to support wellness
- Support school teams with the following:

- Accessing outside agencies support: Saskatoon Tribal Council programs/supports, NIHB, SHA Services
- Providing mental wellness and cultural education in the classroom
- Supporting students to connect with ceremony and cultural competencies
- Land based education activities
- Being part of student support meetings
- Provide prevention, assessment, and support to children, youth and families;
- Provide crisis intervention and outreach stabilization support;
- Act as an advocate for the child, youth, and families;
- Collect data and complete reports;
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality standards;
- Demonstrate behaviours and attitudes that align with STC strategic priorities and values as a place that is judgment-free, accepting, compassionate and empathetic regardless of race, nationality, or economic standing;
- Maintain partnerships with Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Catholic Schools;
- Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Director or designate on an as and when required basis.

**Education and Experience**:

- Degree in Social Work or Mental Health and Additions Counselling Diploma, Mental Health and Wellness Diploma;
- Two (2) years of experience working with individuals living with mental health and addictions;
- Strong interpersonal, counseling, and advocacy skills;
- Experience working effectively with culturally, economically, and socially diverse clients;
- Familiarity with social service and health programs, services, and systems in Saskatoon;
- Expertise in working with clients with mental health and addiction issues;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team;
- Excellent English written and oral communication skills;
- Experience working with individuals with mental health and addiction issues.
- Knowledge of political, social, economic objectives of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and of the Dakota, Cree, and Saulteaux cultures will be considered an asset.

**Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities**:

- Ability to build healthy relationships with children, youth and families;
- Knowledge of responsibilities regarding Duty to Report;
- Knowledge of cultural practices and sensitivities;
- Familiarity to challenges and barriers encountered by First Nation people;
- Ability to complete suicide risk assessments;
- Ability to develop and deliver presentations;
- Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, non-judgmental, and culturally competent care to children and youth;
- Understanding of harm reduction strategies and of the determinants of health;
- Familiarity with resources available by Saskatoon Tribal Council;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to adapt to unpredictable workloads and changing conditions;
- Maintain strict confidentiality at all times;

**Other**:

- Must possess a valid Saskatchewan driver’s license, a reliable vehicle, and meet STC’s insurance requirements;
- Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CCRC) with vulnerable sector search as a condition of employment