WEYBURN – The Government of Saskatchewan is providing $1.7 million in new annual funding to Family Services Saskatchewan to expand its free, rapid access counselling services to children, youth and their caregivers across the province. Weyburn, Estevan, Carlyle and Oxbow are the newest communities to launch these services through Envision Counselling, as a member agency of Family Services Saskatchewan.
Young people can access support for mental health challenges ranging from stress and depression to family conflict, addictions and domestic violence.
"Today's expansion of rapid counselling services to children and youth is an important part of our commitment to address mental health issues in Saskatchewan," Education Minister and Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley. "The ability to quickly connect young people with the health services they need is crucial for improving the well-being of our communities across the province."
The Rapid Access Counselling Program will be provided by Envision Counselling Support Centre in all four communities. Children and youth will be connected to any additional or ongoing support they may need.
"We are so pleased about the expansion of our Rapid Access Counselling program," Envision Counselling and Support Centre Inc. Executive Director Lynda Rideout said. "The ability to now offer this service to children, youth and their caregivers in our communities is a true blessing and will have a significant impact on the well-being of Saskatchewan as a whole. We are extremely grateful for the support from Family Services Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health."
She noted that Envision held focus groups in the four communities where they have offices, as well as a survey to southeast area residents, to get feedback on what services are lacking in the southeast.
“We heard a very loud call for services geared toward children and youth in our region. We are very pleased that the Saskatchewan Health Authority has provided us funding for the expansion on our rapid-access counselling program,” said Rideout, adding that Envision has hired a counsellor to help provide the rapid-access counselling services.
“Our goal is to provide early help to reduce the impact of problem, to prevent them from getting worse. Young people can access support for issues that range from stress and depression to family conflict, addictions and domestic violence. Reaching out to counsellors is a big step, and having affordable accessible support when you need it is crucial to keeping individuals and families safe,” she said.
Rideout explained the counselling can utilize a variety of methods, such as interactive approaches using play and art therapy, and integrating neuroscience with informed perspectives.
“We can also provide in-the-moment support for de-escalating high-risk circumstances, and provide guidance to families who may benefit from more specialized or intensive sessions,” she added.
Duncan noted as the Education Minister, they hear from their stakeholders that they feel they are trying to provide mental health services on their own.
“Certainly we do provide funds to school divisions, but this is a signal to our school divisions that they’re not expected to do all this on their own when it comes to young people in the province, so this is a great way for the Ministry of Health to partner with us as a system that deals with young people each and every day,” said Duncan.
In total this year, the province is providing Family Services Saskatchewan with $3.2 million in annual funding: $1.7 million in new funding for expanding rapid access counselling services to children and youth, and $1.5 million to provide ongoing services to adults and families in more than 20 communities.
Please check www.counsellingconnectsask.ca to find services near you or book a virtual session through the website.
