Dear friends,
With yours, our own, and the wider community’s health and safety being paramount, we have moved our counselling and peer navigation services online for the foreseeable future. Here is what you need to know about the changes we have made to our services and how you can access support online.
Counselling
Understandably, some of our clients have expressed disappointment at not being able to meet in-person for the time being, and our counsellors would like you to know that they too will miss this. That said, we are grateful that we have access to software that allows us to conduct sessions online.
Everyone who is currently working with a counsellor at CMHA NWV can continue their sessions either online (via Zoom) or over the telephone. They also have the option to postpone their remaining sessions until we are able to offer in-person support again. Clients on our waitlist are being contacted by phone and/or email. While they wait for a counsellor, they can contact our Peer Navigation Program which is outlined below. At this time we are still accepting self referrals for our low-cost counselling (by telephone or via our website), but have a long wait-list. There are a lot of people doing their best to keep this service up and running – we are grateful for your patience and understanding!
Peer Navigation
Online peer navigation is intended to provide one-on-one connection and emotional support. A peer navigator is someone who has lived experience of mental health challenges and training in delivering peer support. They can provide an empathic, non-judgmental listening ear. Where appropriate, they may suggest online community mental health resources/supports that may be of help to you.
Anyone can access this service. You do not need to have a mental health diagnosis or be referred by a medical professional. You do not need to talk about your mental health if you don’t want to. This is a safe space for connection and a non-judgemental person to check in with about how things are going.
Meetings will be conducted online through Zoom, by phone, or instant messaging.
If you would like to be matched with a peer navigator or have questions, please email keltyhope@cmha.bc.ca or call 604-704-8276. Messages are checked Monday – Thursday.
If you are a youth or young adult between the ages of 12 to 24, and would like some support, email Foundry peer navigators Claire or Spencer at:
Claire.Ramsfield@cmha.bc.ca, Spencer.Curran@cmha.bc.ca
If you would like to speak to our parent peer navigator Dana, email Dana.Warburton@cmha.bc.ca
Kelty Dennehy Mental Health Resource Centre Drop-in Groups
The Centre may be closed, but our amazing staff and volunteers remain here for you by offering many of its much loved social groups (and some new ones!) online through Zoom! Below is a list and current schedule:
Acoustic Jam Session
A minimum knowledge of at least a dozen guitar chords and a few songs is required. We’ll start with some old favourites; easy folk, blues and country songs and see how things move along. Once things get going the group can create a song list to practice for the coming weeks. Warning: It’s going to be fun!
Chronic Pain Support Group (starting April 21st)
A space meant to decrease isolation and foster social support amoung people living with chronic pain. As a peer-based group, participants are encouraged to share personal stories of managing chronic pain and to provide each other with a compassionate listening ear and supportive presence.
Wellness Recovery Action Plan® Group (starting April 20th)
In this 6-week course, you will learn to create your own Wellness Recovery Action Plan® (WRAP®). WRAP® is a recovery and crisis prevention plan that you create for yourself. It is a tool for learning how to take charge of your own mental health and wellness, and ways to cope with emotional distress on a daily basis. WRAP® was developed for people who have experienced mental illness but it can be helpful to anyone who wants to improve their well-being. Topics covered are: Wellness Tools, Daily Maintenance Planning, Identifying Triggers, Identifying Early Warning Signs, How to Tell When Things Are Breaking Down, Crisis Planning and Post-Crisis Planning.
Time to Relax Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation groups are a wonderful way of connecting with others and deepening your meditation practice. Join Renée for weekly, 1-hour guided sessions aimed at releasing the anxiety and fear that you may be experiencing during this period of uncertainty.
Art Therapy for Wellness
Weekly art therapy continues in this virtual space to support self-care and wellness. After a quick check in, individuals create art in any medium. Domenica is available during this time to assist in choosing basic supplies from your home to use in expressing your inner world. Then, together, we look at the image to discover any personal meaning or insights.
Pet Therapy with Samba
A virtual hangout with retired PADS dog Samba and her handler Dayna! While you may not get to experience petting and cuddling Samba, studies show that online interaction with a therapy dog provides many of the benefits that in-person pet therapy does! So if you’re in need of a comforting presence, stress relief, distraction, or are the type of person who seizes every opportunity to see a good doggy, this time is for you!
Spring Garden Planting (4-Part Series)
This online group/webinar series is intended to help you grow food and flowers with confidence in a variety of settings! All gardens are unique and different and your growing space might be a window sill inside, a single pot on your balcony, a plot at your local community garden or a whole front or backyard! It really doesn’t matter as it’s all about making the most of the space you do have. You can grow a lot of food and some beautiful flowers in a small space!
SCHEDULE
Participants can join a group at its stated time by using the group’s Zoom link (listed beside group name). Note: you will have to download the Zoom software first.
Monday
1 pm – 2:30 pm WRAP Group
Please email debbie.sesula@vch.ca to register & receive Zoom link
4 pm – 6 pm Acoustic Jam Session
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/150640270
Tuesday
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm Chronic Pain Support Group
Starting April 21st
Please email elaina.moss@cmha.bc.ca to register & receive Zoom link
2 pm – 3 pm Time to Relax Mindfulness Meditation
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/478134346
Wednesday
1 pm – 2:30 pm WRAP Group
Please email debbie.sesula@vch.ca to register & receive Zoom link
2 pm – 4 pm Art Therapy for Wellness
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/226696603
Thursday
10 am – 11 am Pet Therapy with Samba
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/656877886
Friday
1 pm – 2 pm Spring Garden Planting Series
April 10th: Salad Greens and Soil
April 17th: Root Crops and Nutrients
April 24th: Edible Ornamentals and Plants for Pollinators
May 1st: Summer Crops and Harvesting
Please email spencer.curran@cmha.bc.ca to register & receive Zoom link