Change is coming to make mental health counselling services easier to access in the province.
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Starting in June, Family Service Saskatchewan will offer Rapid Access Counselling through a one-stop-shop website, designed to make it easier to access counselling.
The site can be found at听. There, potential clients can book an appointment or get more information for mental health supports.
Kim Morrison, executive director of Catholic Family Services in North Battleford, said up to now Family Service Saskatchewan had been operating walk-in clinics.
鈥淏ut we鈥檝e just consolidated all of that into an online portal,鈥� said Morrison. For people with internet access, it is 鈥渁 very easy way to log on to听听and they enter their location, and it tells them what counsellors are available in their location or nearby, and it gives access to counsellors across the province.鈥�
It means if counsellors are already fully booked locally in North Battleford, clients are still able to book with other mental health counsellors available in any other locations such as Saskatoon. That way, people are 鈥渁ssured of rapid access to mental health support,鈥� said Morrison.
The hub is being created in partnership with 11 Family Service Saskatchewan member agencies located in 23 communities in the province.
According to their news release, Rapid Access Counselling is a community-based service being offered province-wide for adults, children, teens and their families. The counselling services are being offered at no cost to the individual.
鈥淔inding the right support in times of need can be a challenge. We are utilizing technology and collaboration to bring forward a new and efficient way for helping people,鈥� said Shellie Pociuk, CEO of Family Service Regina in a statement.
鈥淩apid Access Counselling, through Family Service Saskatchewan ensures safe and accessible services for our communities,鈥� said Christa Daku, chair of Family Service Saskatchewan, in a statement. 鈥淎ccess to affordable mental health counselling is an issue that significantly impacts many families, and now all our counselling locations and times are available in one spot to make us easier to find.鈥�
