Local support services face challenges with online transition

While their facility doors are closed, support staff are continuing with public engagement by offering programming through social media, their website or by phone. The organization offers a number of programs including counselling, mental health services and personal development classes.

“We’re trying to be mindful of [people who do not have access to online services],” she said. “Sometimes that means talking with clients over the phone, or if they only have texting capability and no access to prepaid phone minutes, we’ll help in that way.”

Lehoux said some groups are better administered face-to-face such as youth and adult anger management, domestic violence, grief counselling and court-ordered parenting after separation and divorce classes. In-person classes have been cancelled until otherwise communicated by the province.

“There’s nothing stopping us from conducting those meetings via Zoom, however there is an accountability piece,” she said. “We want to make sure participants are engaged and actively participating and you need that one-on-one contact and you lose a bit of that online.”

“We work on strategies to keep mental health up by using meditation, talking through it, reaching out to loved ones when feeling isolated and distraction methods such as finding five things close to you that you can hear, smell, touch or see,” she said.

Lehoux said the service could sustain itself during the pandemic for now, however the service may be required to come up with alternatives should the pandemic persist past six months.

“We’re really doing our best to do a continuation of services for our community and there’s a little bit of a learning curve, but we’re hoping to have more and more available as the days and weeks come,” she said.

Some programming with a waitlist from referrals and continuous intake may be postponed for weeks following a confirmed date for reopening.

“Now that we’re not able to offer in-person classes, we can only take so many participants at a time for six, eight and 10-week groups, so people can expect a wait,” she said. ”People also completing court-ordered classes which will experience a delay in completing the curriculum.”

In a statement, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it is limiting in-person appointments for non-emergent concerns, including mental health and addictions services. Staff are providing services through telephone and other online methods. Individuals can also access services for urgent/emergent issue at an emergency department.

The intake number is also posted on the door at the Mental Health office in Meadow Lake.

Mental Health staff in Meadow Lake are in regular contact with community agencies and partners, and Community Mental Health Nurses continue to do home visits and follow-up in the community. This includes work with vulnerable populations.

People experiencing anxiety from being isolated at home, daily life interruptions, lack of social interaction and stress from job loss, are urged to reach out.

In the northwest area, there are mental health services available at the following phone numbers:

Mental Health and Addictions Services – Meadow Lake

Robert Simard Social Detox Unit (Northwest Health Facility)

Phone (306) 236-1580

Battlefords Mental Health and Addictions Center

Phone (306)446-6500

Individuals can also contact HealthLine 811, where people can speak with a Mental Health worker.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722

by Nicole Reis

Local support services face challenges with online transition

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