A new pilot program out of the Prince George branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is now offering free counselling sessions to those in need.
The CMHA says the program was created in response to the escalating mental health crisis in the Prince George region. The goal is to ensure no one faces their mental health struggles alone.
Dr. Elaine Laberge, executive director of CMHA Northern BC, told The Citizen that this program stands apart from others.
“It was critical that this therapy be provided with no barriers,” said Laberge. “That means no money attached and more than one or two sessions. When you're going into therapy for just one or two sessions, it’s like pulling the bandage off and then saying, ‘See you later.’ So we needed to provide ongoing therapy to support folks who are living with mental illness, who have experienced homelessness, who are living with the effects of inflation, the housing crisis, economic downturn, poverty, generational poverty and complex trauma — those kinds of things.”
The program offers 10 free counselling sessions — including the intake session — to individuals over the age of 19 who have been substance-free for at least 90 days.
Sessions are designed to be goal-focused, trauma-informed and culturally safe.
The pilot program was created with support from Northern Health, which contributed $65,000 toward its costs.
Laberge said she has noticed significant social changes in the community since arriving in Prince George a year and a half ago, and she hopes the program can help address some of the rising challenges.
“I’ve seen the transformation in Prince George, and it’s not a good transformation,” she said. “I’m a sociologist. I know the impacts of all the social injustices, inequalities and inequities that are happening — they’re trickling down.
“We’re seeing the working class become the working poor. We know that affects mental health. This is our way of showing folks that CMHA is a leader in this area—not just for our clients, but for the community as a whole.”
Since launching in June, the program has already drawn more interest than expected.
“It’s already showing signs of being popular,” said Laberge. “We just need to get the word out to the entire community. There’s less stigma attached to seeking therapy than there was 30 years ago when I first accessed therapy. We know there’s still stigma … One of the questions I get asked is: What happens when you see a therapist? There’s still this idea that you’re going to lie on a couch and Freud’s going to come in and talk about your mom issues.”
Laberge said the CMHA hopes to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in order to make it a permanent offering at the Prince George branch.
“Since I’ve been in this role, I can’t tell you how many times people have come to the door asking to see a therapist, and we didn’t have one. When you send people away, how do you know if they’ll ever come back?” she said.
“In the Canadian Mental Health Association, it only makes sense that we should have a therapist. I hope that if we can show Northern Health and the public how important this program is, we can expand it.”
Counselling sessions are available by appointment only. Both self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted.
To access the referral form, visit https://northernbc.cmha.ca or email: [email protected].
