What is Mental Health?
(From the Canadian Mental Health Association)
Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Reaching a balance is a learning process. At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again. Your personal balance will be unique, and your challenge will be to stay mentally healthy by keeping that balance.
How to tell if someone is at risk of experiencing mental illness:
(From the Canadian Mental Health Association)
1. They breathe oxygen to survive.
2. They're usually between the ages of 5 and 100.
3. They live in large cities, small towns or rural area.
4. There's a 20% chance they've read this, are reading this or will read this, because 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness.
What is the goal of the Mental Health Program?
The goal is simple, mental wellness.
Who would benefit from the Mental Health Program?
- Anyone who has concerns about their mental well being
- NOTE: This is not a crisis service
The Mental Health Liaison (MHL) can offer support and encouragement to assist you with your mental wellness. The Mental Health Liaison is knowledgable in many areas and wants to empower you to focus on your wellness by focusing on your specific needs and offering strategies and support. Some of these areas could include self care, stress management, problem solving and mood regulation.
Typically the MHL is able to meet with you from 1 to 5 sessions to meet these needs. If it is identified that longer term support is needed the MHL is also able to assist you in navigating you through to the most effective support that is available in the community to support you on an ongoing bases. MHL will then follow you and offer support until you are connected to these services. MHL is not a crisis service but will attempt to connect with you as soon as possible and direct you to immediate support until they are able to see you and begin to support you mental wellness.
How does the RDPCN Mental Health Program work?
Your family doctor will send a referral to your Mental Health Liaison if he/she feels you could benefit from a consultation, brief counseling, education about a new diagnosis, or assessment for referral to other resources. The Mental Health Liaison is a health professional with special training in mental health.
Initial Appointment
After your doctor has discussed with you the referral to PCN Mental Health Liaison he will send a referral and the Mental Health Liaison (MHL) will contact you by phone and setup an appointment to meet with you. Time will be spent discussing your needs as well as approaches that maybe helpful to address these needs. You and the MHL will come up with a plan to start addressing your needs and empower you to work towards your goal.
This appointment which is approximately one hour will be an opportunity to:
- get to know your Mental Health Liaison and how she/he can help you
- explore your needs
- guide you to resources that are helpful
- help you to identify areas where you can make a positive improvement in your life.
- arrange a follow up appointment if necessary
In most cases one appointment is all that is necessary, but we will assess each situation on an individual basis and offer ongoing assistance if required.
Resources
Canadian Mental Health