One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness. This statistic is likely a gross underestimate for street-involved youth, with rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and other mental health concerns believed to well-exceed the national average. These concerns are often further complicated by co-occurring substance use issues and the confounding barriers of poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to timely and appropriate treatment and support services.
Mental Health
The Mental Health Outreach Worker supports youth with issues related to mental health and co-occurring disorders. Interactions are based on a harm-reduction philosophy focused on reducing the impact of untreated and undertreated mental health issues and increasing the independence and long term stability of youth. Treatment options and goal setting are client-directed.
The Mental Health Department strives to fill the gaps existing in mental health services, experienced significantly by street-involved individuals, including lack of identification, long-waiting lists for psychiatric and counseling services, and discomfort with and distrust of mainstream services. Youth exhibiting symptoms of a mental health issue can receive care from RaY’s Nurse Practitioner even without a Manitoba Health card. RaY’s NP can make referrals to psychiatric or counseling services and continue to see clients for general mental health concerns before, during, and after involvement with other mental health services.
The Mental Health Outreach Worker, in partnership with the Addictions Support Worker, and the NP, provides short term counseling and crisis intervention, referrals to community mental health supports, and advocacy. Assistance is provided at all stages of recovery including while youth are waiting to receive services from other mental health care providers. The department aims to teach youth the skills needed to navigate the often frustrating maze of mental health services, and to build a network of supports to allow for greater independence in their recovery. As a member of the Street Outreach team, the Mental Health Outreach Worker is also available to provide mental health support and referrals to individuals who may be falling through the cracks of other health providers.
Addictions
RaY supports all youth who are dealing with addiction of any sort, and whose lives have become unmanageable as a result. Youth can be referred to a number of different treatment centers within the Winnipeg area, to find which one will best serve their needs. Clients can obtain literature for meetings out in the recovery community, while also taking part in meetings at RaY. Providing three meetings a week-Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s from noon-1:00-youth have a number of opportunities to take control of their substance use issues.
The Addictions Support Worker will help clients to understand their needs and what resources are available to them. We also provide them with a continuum of care before and after their treatment process.
RaY uses several materials to help clients understand the nature of their addictions. The use of videos relating to addictions, twelve step books and work booklets along with one on one ongoing support all serve to provide youth with what they need, on their terms, to better their lives.