Zuʔmintéxʷ Mental Health & Wellness - Merritt

Addictions / Substance Use, Indigenous Services, and Mental Health - Adult

Provided by Scw'exmx Community Health Services Society (SCHSS)

Provides mental health and wellness support to residents in Cold Water, Nooaitch & Shackan area in Merritt.
Programs focus on mental health, healing, and cultural connection, and include emotional wellness programs (Living Life to the Full, Grief Recovery Edu-Therapy), culturally rooted parenting support (Bringing Tradition Home), and recovery-focused initiatives like RedPath Addictions, RedPath Living Without Violence, and the weekly Wellbriety Program.

Program includes:
Counselling Services: Counsellors provide confidential, culturally grounded support for individuals and families experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. Services are delivered using a holistic, trauma-informed approach that recognizes the interconnected physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. Support is tailored to individual needs and may include one-on-one counselling, crisis intervention, prevention education, and strategies that promote healing, resilience, empowerment, and self-determination.

Treatment Referrals: When specialized care is required, Mental Health & Addiction Counsellors connect clients with additional services, such as:
  • Sexual abuse counselling
  • Psychiatric or psychological assessments
  • Detox programs and residential treatment facilities

Relapse Prevention: Relapse Prevention Program supports individuals in maintaining recovery and preventing lapses into old patterns of behavior.
This aftercare process may include:
  • Following and updating treatment plans as goals are met
  • Structured counselling sessions to strengthen coping strategies
  • Participation in support groups or other relevant programs
Relapse prevention is just as important as initial treatment, helping sustain an addiction-free lifestyle long-term.

Group Programming offers a variety of group programs that encourage peer connection, cultural learning, and personal growth. These include educational workshops, skills training, and culturally informed healing practices.

Includes:
  • Healing Grief & Loss Program (with Traditional Teaching): The Grief Recovery Edu-Therapy program combines emotional wellness strategies with traditional teachings to guide individuals through the grieving process. Participants gain tools for acknowledging loss, processing emotions, and moving forward while honoring their cultural roots.
  • Wellbriety Program: Held weekly, the Wellbriety Program is a culturally-based recovery initiative emphasizing Indigenous values and holistic wellness and healing. It combines Indigenous values with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) principles, focusing on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of recovery while fostering community connection and long-term sobriety. The program is open anyone who would like to join.
  • Aboriginal Parenting Program – “Bringing Home Tradition”: This culturally rooted parenting program strengthens family bonds by blending traditional values with practical parenting skills. Parents learn how to incorporate cultural teachings into everyday life, creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children.
  • Anxiety & Depression Program – In Development: Program is being developed to provide targeted support for individuals living with anxiety and depression. It will combine evidence-based strategies with culturally relevant approaches to promote emotional resilience and overall well-being.
  • Anger Management Program – “Pulling Punches”: Program helps participants understand the root causes of their anger, learn regulation tools, and implement long-term change. Delivered through video content, worksheets, and guided discussions, Pulling Punches teaches strategies to reduce “rage load” and avoid harmful outbursts.

    • 250-378-9745

    Public email: george.m@schss.com

    Website: https://schss.com/mental-health/

    1926 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, British Columbia, V1K 1B8

    Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

    Cost: No cost

    Referral options:

    Details: For referrals, please contact the Mental Health Manager via phone number or email.

    Associated Programs/Services

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    Availability

    Service area: Merritt + show cities

    Service area cities: Merritt

    Service Types Provided
    Addictions / Substance Use
    Indigenous Services
    Mental Health - Adult
    Ways to Access
    • Provided 1:1 in-person
    • Provided at a single location
    • Provided in a group in-person

    The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

    Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

    For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

    community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

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    2. Last Name
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    6. Employer Name (for office staff)
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