Strengthening Culturally Responsive Mental Health Supports for Crises Preparedness: Lessons From Indigenous...

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing systemic inequities in educator mental health, particularly in rural and remote Indigenous communities. Educators faced sudden shifts to remote learning, limited access to technology, and challenges supporting students' well-being while adapting pedagogical practices.

This qualitative longitudinal, citizen science study explored culturally grounded digital engagement tools to support Indigenous educators' mental health during the pandemic in a prairie province of Canada. Eighteen educators from an on-reserve school participated in baseline focus groups in 2020 (n = 18) and follow-up discussions in 2021 (n = 6). Digital tools, including virtual focus groups and a custom mobile application, enabled inclusive participation despite geographic and pandemic-related barriers.

Thematic analysis using NVivo 12 revealed six baseline themes: emotional toll of lockdown, teaching challenges, student concerns, community support, school reopening barriers, and resilience strategies. Three follow-up themes emerged: sustained mental health impacts, adaptation to online teaching, and evolving coping strategies. Across both phases, 'Two-Eyed Seeing', integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge, supported mental well-being, culturally grounded teaching, and community resilience.

Findings highlight the need to strengthen digital access, provide culturally informed mental health supports, and deepen collaboration with Indigenous communities to better protect educator well-being during crises.

Culturally responsive and technology-enabled approaches are both feasible and meaningful for supporting Indigenous educators' mental health, thereby enabling more inclusive and resilient school health systems.