New VR mental health initiative focused on northern Sask. Indigenous communities

WATCH: Mick Favel brings you another edition of Indigenous Circle.

A new virtual reality (VR) initiative intended to enhance the wellbeing of Indigenous youth in northern Saskatchewan communities is set to begin.

Virtual Interventions and Community Connections for Indigenous Youth (VICCIY) has been in the works since 2021.

The program originally began with a clinical care approach and has since been reshaped by consultations with youth on their needs and wants.

Lindsey Boechler is the initiative lead at VICCIY. She said the youth they spoke with are in favour of using VR technology.

“What really intrigues the youth is exploring different ways to connect and meet others, or learn from role models,” she said.

VICCIY has hosted two provincial youth summits, bringing together over 60 youth from across Saskatchewan.

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A major question throughout the conference was if VR technology could play a role in enhancing wellness.

“98 per cent of respondents said that they would be willing to engage with [VR] or give it a try,” Boechler said.

Joey Genereaux is a youth advocate who has done work with VICCIY. He sees the potential of VR programming reaching youth in a new way.

“I think this virtual stuff is going to be an amazing thing to connect with these kids in the north that really need the help, to inspire them to make different changes in their lives,” he said.

The VICCIY program is currently in Phase 2.

This fall, six northern communities will be taking part during the school year.

Conversations with youth was a major component of the program’s creation. Boechler hopes this is a commonly used step for similar programs in the future.

“When we are trying to support this generation that’s going to lead our province, I think it’s imperative we really start listening,” she said.