Support for Aboriginal women a phone call away

Aboriginal women from across northern Ontario now have their own crisis line.

Talk 4 Healing launched on Friday provides crisis counselling and referral service in English, Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibway languages.

Program co-ordinator Robin Haliuk said its important the service is for Aboriginal women and provided by Aboriginal women.

The people answering the phones"really do understand the realities of living in a fly-in access only community and understanding sometimes the band office is all there is," she said.

Billed as the first of its kind in Ontario, the program will be operated by Beendigen in partnership with the Ontario Native Womens Association.

A news release said the service will provide culturally sensitive crisis counselling, advice and support, personalized information and referrals, acceptance of Aboriginal womens issues in a non-judgmental way, scheduled telephone counselling sessions and help to find the path to personal healing.

"The communities spoke up and the leaders spoke up and said we need something, we need something for our women and our children and our families," Haliuk said. "We need them to feel safe in their communities and have services accessible to them."

The service will be available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.

The new number is 1-855-554-HEAL. A website is also available at www.Talk4Healing.com.