BARRHEAD-Barrhead and Westlock area residents, as well as students in the Pembina Hills School Division (PHSD), will have another option when seeking out counselling help to deal with the emotional ramifications due to the coronavirus.
Two weeks ago, the Barrhead Association For Community Living (BACL) received a $129,000 grant under Alberta Health's Mental Health and Addiction COVID-19 Community Funding program.
The one-time grant provides funding of up to $25 million for eligible projects and services to enhance community mental health and addiction recovery supports and services.
BACL plans to use the funds to create Together Talk, an in-person and online counselling program for individuals impacted mentally due to COVID. It should be noted that the program is not intended to be a crisis or emergency counselling service, but one that helps individuals access appropriate services.
The BACL is a not-for-profit organization that has been in operation for more than 45 years. Notable accomplishments include the formation of the Blue Heron Support Services Association (BHSSA) and the School of New Hope. The BHSSA has since evolved into an independent organization while the School for New Hope has long since disbanded, but when it was in operation it was a school for children with developmental disabilities.
For the last 20 years, they have concentrated on programming for people suffering from mental health disorders.
BACL director Dale Clarke said the organization has basically been in hiatus since 2017 when the province did not renew its funding.
However, the grant will once again allow BACL to provide counselling services.
"Although the counselling is for anyone experiencing the ill effects of COVID, our primary focus will be children, youth and their families; people who are struggling with financial hardships related to the virus; and people who are struggling with isolation and/or locked down in facilities and cannot get out," she said.
At the heart of the program and where the majority of the funds (about $100,000) will be spent are the counsellors who will provide individual and small group counselling using a walk-in model, as well as through secure video and teleconferencing sessions.
The BACL has also put aside funds for a "non-traditional avenue of support for the community and the schools" through monthly drumming circles.
Clarke added they would not have been successful if it had not been for their partners, the Anglican Churches in both Barrhead and Westlock, as well as the Pembina Hills School Division (PHSD) who helped them with the grant application.
She added after the program becomes established the Anglican Church hopes to add to its programming by bringing in other churches through the Barrhead and Westlock ministerial associations.
"The Anglican Church has a long history in both Barrhead and Westlock of actively seeking ways to minister to people in need," Clarke said, noting in addition to providing space for a counsellor to work in Barrhead, their reverend Barry Rose will be hosting weekly 'Circle Support' sessions.
"It is a highly regarded program for people who have experienced a loss. I know it gets a lot of referrals from [Barrhead and District Family Support Services], " she said.
As for PHSD's role, Clarke said in addition to providing administration and technical support, they will be contributing to articles about how students specifically, can deal with the stress and emotional strain that young people are experiencing because of COVID.
"They are using their knowledge and expertise to help us put together a successful program," she said.
Clarke also noted that because of PHSD's involvement, they have decided the catchment area for the program will be the same as the division's schools. BACL hopes the first phase of the project, its website, will be up and running by the end of the month.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
