Government policies and programs, including the Indian Act and the residential school system, have contributed to the increase of mental illness, inter-generational trauma and suicide attempts.Despite the last residential school having closed in 1996 there is still continued trauma within Indigenous communities. Currently, the efforts of the Canadian healthcare system are inadequate in addressing the short-term increase in suicides in Indigenous communities and the associated long-term issues. As you can see the 45 years and over age group in every single category has the lowest overall mental health.