Family Service Saskatchewan website connects people to free, immediate counselling
Family Service Saskatchewan has started a website offering quick access to free counselling and mental health services for people across Saskatchewan.
“I think all of the uncertainty that people have been experiencing over the past year has created a lot of anxiety which has escalated a lot of issues for people,” said Christa Daku, chair of Family Service Saskatchewan.
“Sometimes people just need someone to talk to. Just having that support and validation for what they’re experiencing is really, really crucial to someone’s wellbeing.”
The service is for anyone 12 and up looking for help with a wide range of issues including stress, depression, anxiety and family conflict.
Through Rapid Access Counselling, people can connect with qualified counsellors for a free, immediate and brief counselling session ranging from 50 minutes to an hour.
“By offering brief and solution-focused style therapy, individuals can come in simply for one or two or three sessions, it just depends on their need. And we know that a lot of people just need some tools to be able to carry on when they have a little hiccup in their life,” Daku said.
OPENING DOORS IN RURAL AREAS
She said Family Service Saskatchewan can also help connect people who have more significant issues to a long-term counsellor in their community.
Family Service Saskatchewan has been offering Rapid Access Counselling in over 23 communities since 2019 in partnership with 11 agencies.
In addition to walk-in sessions, it now offers virtual and telephone counselling sessions due to the pandemic.
Daku said this option has also helped them reach more people in rural communities who may not have the same access to service as those in urban centres.
“We wanted to be able to open the doors up to those who are rural. We know that most of Saskatchewan is rural, so just providing the opportunity,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.