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The Challenge
Thunder Bay saw immediate changes in mental health and addiction needs due to COVID-19. There was an increased urgency for quick-access options for children, youth and adults across the lifespan and life situations. As provincial guidelines asked for physical distancing and staying at home as much as possible, our walk-In only model no longer fit. Support was needed from a variety of access points.
The Solution
- Leveraged existing service, partnership, and resources to shift Walk-In to Talk-In Counselling, using a blended model to best meet community needs.
- Expanded services to 5 days a week with morning, afternoon and evening options to increase accessibility.
- Remain accessible to a variety of needs including English and French services and support for hearing impaired.
- Available by phone, video call, online or face-to-face with appropriate screening measures.
- Maintain quality of single session therapy, not drifting to intake services.
- Services were launched with great response from local school boards, organizations, members of parliament, and community members.
- All it takes to access support is a simple phone call.
The Process
- Leverage existing resources
- Redeploy staff
- Expand quick access options
- Centralize access, with one phone number
- Promote service to the community
- Offer support to meet emerging community needs
Contact
For more information on the Shifting from walk-in to talk-in therapy, contact:- Nancy Chamberlain, Nancy.Chamberlain@tbaycounselling.com
- Diane Walker, dwalker@childrenscentre.ca
To share your innovation, email mhanorth@hsnsudbury.ca