People can now book a counselling session in-person with someone in their community or virtually with a counsellor anywhere in Saskatchewan.
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With the pandemic driving up demand, Family Service Regina has sometimes had to turn people away when all the counsellors in its free services were booked up.
“There were days where unfortunately we could not see everyone who needed help,” Family Services Regina chief operating officer Kirk Englot said. “We would be trying to resource them or get them booked a different day or have them call other offices.”
In Saskatoon, executive director Trish St. Onge said CFS Saskatoon experienced the same problem.
The two mental health organizations are among 11 in Saskatchewan offering rapid access counselling services. The goal of rapid access counselling is to have people see a counsellor the same day they come looking for help.
Many of the 11 organizations found that while busy days often meant they couldn’t get everyone in, they also had slow days with appointments sitting empty. St. Onge said the idea of collaborating to share appointments across the province began to take shape as the pandemic normalized virtual
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“Prior to COVID, everyone always wanted to be seen in person, and through COVID people have discovered — and we as service providers have discovered — that good work can happen virtually or on the telephone,” St. Onge said.
Family Service Saskatchewan, which oversees the province’s rapid access counselling providers, launched a new website on June 1. The site connects each organization’s appointment calendar and opens it up to the public. Now anyone looking for a same-day counselling session can book their own virtual appointment from anywhere in the province. The site can also be used to book in-person sessions in communities where these are available.
Rapid access counselling is free and funded through the Saskatchewan Health Authority. People can book an appointment up to 48 hours in advance through the new website, and the service is open to anyone ages 12 and up.
“This really opens up an opportunity for individuals whose centre may be full to access counselling through another qualified counsellor in the province,” said Christa Daku, chairperson of Family Service Saskatchewan.
It also breaks down barriers for anyone living in a remote community who does not have a local centre, while also helping organizations share demand across the province.
Englot said now when someone calls in to Family Service Regina, even if local counsellors are fully booked, staff can help book the person a virtual appointment with another counsellor somewhere else in Saskatchewan.
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“It really helps us work collaboratively together to make sure people get service quickly,” he said.
While there is no limit to the number of times someone can book an appointment, rapid access counselling is not intended to be a long-term solution for people with ongoing needs. If counsellors recognize that someone could use more long-term support, they can help direct people to other services.
“It’s a great entry-level program for individuals who are possibly thinking about seeking support and just not sure where to go,” Daku said.
St. Onge knows how critical it can be for people to access help immediately once they begin looking for it. She hopes by making access to a counsellor easier for everyone, the need for more significant mental health support may be avoided.
“One of our hopes … is to help people when they need it, and with that, prevent (them) spiralling to a place where they need hospital-based or long-term care,” she said.
Anyone can book a rapid access counselling appointment on counsellingconnectsask.ca. Family Service Saskatchewan has partnered with 211 Saskatchewan, so the 211 operator can also direct people to these counselling sessions.
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New website eliminating barriers to fast, free counselling services - Regina Leader-Post
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