NORTH BATTLEFORD - Need someone to talk to?
Youth in the Battlefords, neighbouring First Nations and surrounding area facing mental health challenges now have another option to turn to. The BATC 24-Hour Youth Help Line at 310-3310.
Representatives from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) and the City of North Battleford came together Dec. 17 at BATC's offices on 100 Street in North Battleford to celebrate the launch of the new service in the community.
Leslie-Ann Smith, BATC Director of Health and Nursing Services, said the phone service will be an important support line for the area.
"We've developed a new youth at-risk 24-hour phone line," she said. "Kids can reach out any time, day or night, and they will talk to a professional mental health therapist or certified counsellor to see what their needs are. It's a referral line, so they will be able to refer them to whatever agency is required."
Smith noted if the youth needs an immediate action plan, the professional will be there to help.
Even if youth just want to talk, they have the option to call the help line.
"This is open to everybody," Smith said. "It doesn't matter where you are from, you can phone that line, and there will be somebody there to answer you, give you support, and assist you."
In planning for the new help line, BATC reached out to agencies in North Battleford and the surrounding areas.
The project is funded jointly by BATC and by the federal government through the Jordan's Principle program.
"We're really excited [about the new service]," Smith said. "Our youth are at-risk. Our children are at-risk. People are struggling now-a-days. This is the main focus."
She noted there are other help phone lines available, but this line will provide one more layer of support to the local community.
BATC has distributed phone stickers and fridge magnets to schools in North Battleford, Battleford and the surrounding area with the phone number posted on it to spread the word about the new help line. BATC will also distribute pamphlets and posters about the new service in the community to increase awareness.
"It's to have something there for every child to read," Smith said.
The service is geared to children and youth, but is also open to anyone who needs it, whether they a teen, or 28 or 38 years old, for example.
"Whoever phones, you're going to be talking to someone," Smith said.
The phone line is also open to both First Nations and non First Nations people, so everyone who needs it can call.
It's also open during all the statutory holidays, including Christmas and the holidays.
"Our therapists and our certified counsellors will be on that phone line 24-hours, seven-days-a-week, no matter what day it is," Smith said.
"Every day we're hearing something is happening with our youth," she added. "They are struggling right now, just for many reasons. Our families are struggling. There are lots of financial woes in our communities, so we just thought that this would target those kids. Sometimes there is no one to talk to. It's unfortunate but sometimes there's no one to talk to at home. They just need to talk. So this will give them a professional ear that will listen to them, and we can come up with some solutions, and give them some solid advice for next steps."
Smith noted that the health professionals will also make sure the caller is not left without support.
"If they phone with issues, we'll ensure they have follow up," she said.
