By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

plenty of openings

Counselling agencies making things work for clients despite pandemic

Apr 18, 2020 | 12:24 PM

If counselling services are what you need during the ongoing pandemic, there’s no shortage of time-slots for Red Deer residents to fill.

Further, various agencies are now employing the use of virtual appointments to connect with clients, including at Shalom Counselling Centre.

“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices,” says Kathleen Dubas, office manager, of the need to not forget our mental well-being during crisis. “Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”

Shalom staff, as well as those at Family Services of Central Alberta (FSCA), and Suicide Information & Education Services (SIES), say the virtual and over the phone format is going smoothly thus far.

Judy Scott, FSCA executive director says the number of openings is surprisingly high, but there’s perhaps a silver lining.

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“Our counsellors are busy, but they’re not fully booked. I do think lots of families, once they sort through their financials, jobs, schooling, and reality sets in, we will get busier,” she says.

“Families are home now, so we’re finding we can more often engage with them, and be able to support them versus when they’re at work and juggling things, and they’re missing appointments.”

Scott notes that a play therapist is also still working to help with kids in need of extra support.

At the Outreach Centre, Dawne Adkins is a certified grief recovery specialist for SIES.

“There has been this mindset where people are asking themselves ‘Do I have to sacrifice my mental health?’ and the short answer is no. You have to modify how those needs are being met, but ultimately we can deal with it all,” says Adkins.

“Balancing physical health versus mental health can be done. If you’re not physically safe in your own home, you need to access help. We are here and the hospital is still there. Sometimes we have to do what we have to do.”

This past week, Premier Jason Kenney announced a $53 million mental health response plan, which will benefit agencies like those above, including by expanding access to online and virtual mental health and addiction services.

For more information on some of the counselling services currently offered in Red Deer during COVID-19, visit ShalomCounselling.com, FSCA.ca, or SuicideHelp.ca.

Help is also still available through agencies such as Vantage Community Services, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, the Women’s Outreach Centre, and Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.

RELATED: Alberta launches $53M COVID-19 mental health response plan